Brenna Kulikowski, Damon Thompson Obituary, Death – The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District in eastern Arizona is mourning the loss of one of its firefighters who passed away in a traffic accident early Friday morning. The incident represents the second time in less than a month that the department has lost one of its members in a roadway tragedy.
According to the fire district, the firefighter was involved in a crash around 6:45 a.m. while traveling to work on a motorcycle. Emergency crews responded quickly, but further details about how the collision occurred have not yet been made public. Out of respect for the family, the firefighter’s name has not been released at this time.
In a statement shared on social media, the department expressed profound grief over the loss, noting that the entire organization is deeply impacted. “Our entire organization is grieving the loss of another one of our own,” the post read. Leaders asked for privacy as family, friends, and colleagues take time to process the news and support one another through this difficult period.
The firefighter’s passing comes less than a month after another heartbreaking loss within the same department. On September 15, two Timber Mesa firefighters were killed when the ambulance they were operating was involved in a head-on crash.
Those firefighters were later identified as 31-year-old Brenna Kulikowski and 21-year-old Damon Thompson. Kulikowski had served with Timber Mesa for three years, while Thompson was nearing the end of his first year with the department. Both were remembered as hardworking, dedicated public servants who had committed themselves to helping others in their community.
The most recent incident underscores the challenges and risks faced by first responders, both on and off duty. Firefighters often spend long hours responding to emergencies, and even routine travel to and from work can present unforeseen dangers.
The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District, which serves communities across the White Mountains region of Arizona, is described as a close-knit organization. The back-to-back losses have taken an emotional toll, not only on colleagues within the department but also on residents in the surrounding communities who rely on and support their local first responders.
Community members have begun offering condolences, sharing messages of support for the department and the families directly impacted. Local leaders have echoed the importance of coming together during times of shared grief, emphasizing the strong bond between firefighters and the people they serve.
While investigators continue to examine the details of Friday morning’s motorcycle crash, the focus for the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District remains on honoring their fallen colleague and providing comfort to those left behind. Firefighters are known for their resilience and sense of brotherhood, and members of the department are expected to rally around one another as they face yet another painful loss.
The department has not yet announced memorial plans for the firefighter who passed away Friday. In past instances, however, they have held public services that allow community members to pay their respects and show appreciation for the work and sacrifice of their first responders.
In the meantime, fire officials are reminding the public to be mindful on the roadways, stressing the importance of safe driving habits that can help reduce accidents. For first responders, who often must navigate traffic quickly when responding to emergencies, roadway safety is especially important.
The dual tragedies within such a short timeframe highlight the risks inherent not only in emergency response work but also in everyday travel. For the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District, the coming weeks will be devoted to healing, remembering those lost, and reinforcing the strong sense of unity that binds their department and community together.
