It has been two years since Brendan McDonough lost his 19-member firefighter family. McDonough's comments come as some of the loved ones of the Hotshots who died fight with the city of Prescott for the lifetime benefits given to families of full-time firefighters who die in the line of duty. Their book%2C promotional materials say%2C will reveal %22the untold story%22 of Yarnell%27s fatal fire. Have a wildland fire news tip? It was a day he will never forget. The third result is Brendan McDonough age 40s in Winter Springs, FL in the Tuscawilla neighborhood. Reels. Brendan has a checkered past: He's a drug user. if my brothers did make mistakes, I would never keep that a secret to put in a book. I lost my family. He took a job with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial and other assistance to injured wildland firefighters or their families in the case of a line-of-duty death. , money, salary, income, and assets. Through our industry-leading publications, digital media and events, we cover the latest developments, innovations, and standards in apparatus and equipment, clinical breakthroughs, and training for Fire & EMS personnel. d overheard a radio conversation between Marsh and Steed. [5], McDonough made his professional debut on June 26, 2019, starting in a 22 draw with FC Dallas. Covered in soot over his bright yellow protective clothing and heavy boots as darkness fell on June 30, waves of guilt for being the only Hotshot spared death was a gut punch made all the more painful by the chirping phones behind him in the buggy. Im a reminder about Yarnell. He is also a Non-Executive Director Do you remember seeing the thunderstorm moving in with the strong winds, pushing the fire toward the crew? What we dont know are exactly who made certain decisions and their rationale. Posts. He assured Steed that he had. He played three years for Charlotte Catholic High School, while spending his junior year in Germany training with both FT Braunschweig and Eintracht Braunschweig. McDonough is one of five candidates seeking the chief executive position in the 2020 election. We all could see it. I wanted to make sure I wasn. I lost nineteen amazing men that were my structure, That was my life. It was a dark period in my life., McDonough says hes thankful for the others on the crew who taught him about being both a dad and a hotshot. She said the states case is strong because McDonoughs wife made an audio recording of his assault on her, the child and the dog, and began there are voluminous text messages. That. I definitely feel like I have a lot to pay forward, ve always wanted to be in a job of service to others. Brendan feels very fortunate to live and work in Butte, Montana, and he is proud to be Butte Irish. https://www.holdfastrecovery.com Nothing crazy or new would have come out of it, It would have been more of a reconfirmation of what I saw that day and trying to make sure my brothers were not going to get blamed for something they didn, t do. Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonoughDonut as hed been dubbed by his crewserved as lookout, they confronted a freak, 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. assistant: Mr. Teller Kerry Newberry . Brendan McDonough was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. Fact-checking Only the Brave confirmed that the real Eric Marsh (portrayed by Josh Brolin in the movie) met his wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly in the film) in 2007 in a 12-step program for alcoholism. Thank you Bill for the article and for providing this man an oppurtunity to speak. He did hear, though, a discussion about Marsh going on ahead toward the ranch to make sure the route was good, and Marsh later told Steed they should make their way down there. Discover Brendan McDonough's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Brendan McDonough CEO Bio Brendan was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. m a reminder about Yarnell. Carlos Medina was named by neighbors as the bishop murder suspect. Brendan R. Mcdonald's office is located at 1424 Broadway, Everett, WA. Thanks. I know they were asked to come to Yarnell if it was possible and Eric said. The true story behind the events that inspired the major motion picture Only the Brave. creative consultant Tommy McNamara . Brendan discusses his struggles resulting from survivors guilt, including depression, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse, and the post traumatic growth that has led him to create a treatment center to help others that are struggling. Work with a team who knows exactly what you are going through. If you did, do you know if Jesse Steed or Eric Marsh heard it? Mary McAleese, to Butte, Montana, in May of 2006. "I was the lookout that day. And while it may feel good to be able to point a finger at one or more individuals, it can only tarnish the respect we should have and the legacy of those 19 firefighters and the survivor. McDonough was released by Vancouver at the end of the 2019 season. He is grateful to work with the An R R Executive Committee to share the richness and beauty of the Irish culture to the people of Montana and beyond. and Kara Warner. staying in one spot observing the fire, taking weather observations, and updating the rest of the crew on the status of the fire and where it was in relation to their location. According to the warrant, the couple has been separated and the children are living with their mother. That was the biggest thing. They taught me all they knew, and they also taught me how to be a man, a well-rounded man. The next day on the fire near Yarnell, Steed, as the acting Superintendent may have thought that McDonough was not quite 100 percent recovered when he assigned him to serve as a lookout for the crew. [6], On August 7, 2019, McDonough was loaned to USL Championship side Charlotte Independence for the remainder of the season. In the spring of 2015 he was invited to participate in a portion of a relay that began in New York City and ended in Dallas, Texas, organized by Carry the Load. He, s collaborating with best-selling author Stephan Talty, author of. A lot of people think I should donate all the money back from the book; I dont have the funds to do that. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. When we heard guys were deploying I remember him being a leader and doing the job he needed to do. Brendan McDonough . Brendan McDonough, played by Miles Teller, is a life junkie who figures out one night that his ex-girlfriend, Natalie Johnson, who is played by Natalie Hall, is five months pregnant with his. They taught me all they knew, and they also taught me how to be a man, a well-rounded man. The next day on the fire near Yarnell, Steed, as the acting Superintendent may have thought that McDonough was not quite 100 percent recovered when he assigned him to serve as a lookout for the crew staying in one spot observing the fire, taking weather observations, and updating the rest of the crew on the status of the fire and where it was in relation to their location. Brendan McDonough, 40, according to the warrant for his arrest, was charged after assaulting his wife and one of their children, blitzing his wife over several days with threatening and intimidating text messages and threatening to kill his wife and himself. McDonough was scheduled to provide sworn testimony during a deposition on May 28, 2015 in Phoenix, but he said it was canceled by the State of Arizona. Paula Ann Reed McDonough passed away at her home in Keene Valley on Feb. 5, 2021. I feel like the arguments about exactly who did what, and when, have run their course. There have been a lot of fingers pointed I just wanted to make sure that I was standing up for my brothers. Brendan McDonough was the Granite Mountain Hotshots' lookout June 30 and wasn't with the rest of the crew when it was overtaken by the Yarnell Hill Fire amid shifting winds. Privacy Policy. I feel like just now within the last six months I, ve been able to build relationships with some of the families outside of that, we talk about my daughter, what they are up to, what, s going on with their lives, grandkids. Scandal-ridden LTC McDonough will be quietly ushered off the Hawaiian Islands for the Army War College in Carlisle . Their superintendent, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four . I lost nineteen amazing men that were my structure, he says. Superintendent Eric Marsh had been assigned as Division Supervisor that day, in charge of the part of the fire that included the Granite Mountain crew, temporarily supervised by Steed. McDonough was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the exception of 21-year-old Brendan McDonough, who had been posted some distance away from the crew as a watchman, the hotshots found themselves in the fire's path. Im going to even things up., At another point he writes, do you want to see your kids grow up? On June 30, 2013 the Yarnell Hill Fire claimed their lives when a firestorm roared through brush 90 miles northwest of Phoenix, leaving McDonough the only survivor of the 20-man Granite Mountain Hotshot crew. He continued to argue with his wife and struck her in the shoulder, according to the warrant. "I sunk. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. Do they think Im doing a good job? Brendan McDonough explained the aftermath of the tragic day that forever changed his life. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Days later, he had a tattoo artist ink the stanzas of an old Gaelic prayer inside his right bicep as a constant reminder of his hope that the fallen "Nineteen," as they're now known in Prescott, have found peace. Eric Marsh didn, t kill eighteen other people himself. I think what the attorney Paladini said, it wasn, t from my mouth and I never talked to Paladini, so what he had to say wasn, t correct. McDonough said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? But at first, this one on a boulder-strewn hillside at 5,000 feet outside the small town of Yarnell, Ariz. seemed nothing out of the ordinary to the team of dogged firefighters dispatched in their white fire buggies that fateful day from nearby Prescott. Every sticker, every shirt, every corner is a memory, But Prescott is such a loving town that I couldn. Activity I had a. As he writes, he remembers stories from his hotshot days, and he says it illuminates for him what is still painful that he can address in counseling. More from Jim Burneka: https://firefightercancerconsultants.. Do you know why the crew left the safety of a previously burned black area and decided to walk through unburned brush toward the ranch? McDonough made his professional debut on June 26, 2019, starting in a 22 draw with FC Dallas. Former Granite Mountain Hotshot Brendan McDonough has been working with author Stephan Talty. He's been there himself. How successful I am physically, emotionally, spiritually I owe it to them.". He now lives in Prescott, Arizona with his girlfriend, his four-year-old daughter, and the girlfriends three-year-old daughter. s thankful for the others on the crew who taught him about being both a dad and a hotshot. McDonough says now that he and Willis talked about whether Marsh made it to the ranch or not, but I still have not gained any clarity out of that. Posted at 9:32 AM, Feb 06, 2014 . No one. Walking out, he met up with a member of the Blue Ridge Hotshots, who gave him a ride out. We all could see it. Denis McDonough is Obama's manin scandal mode. The important facts that lead to lessons learned are known. After the dust settles and it opens again, hopefully it will be in a more productive, meaningful, and positive atmosphere. He was a member of the Steering Committee for the visit of the President of Ireland, H.E. Nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighter crew perished in Arizona last week, but one lone member survived. Whilemedical(PTSD) problems forced him to give up his career as a firefighter, he believes that his larger purpose in life is to help others recover from trauma like he suffered and to offer treatments such as faith BASED counseling and therapy for recovery. Yep! 1579 West Gurley St Brendan discusses his struggles resulting from survivor's guilt, including depression, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse, and the post traumatic growth that has led him to create a treatment center to help others that are struggling. In talking with physically and mentally scarred firefighters and their families, he says, he realized that he needed to take care of himself and get some professional help. There have been a lot of fingers pointed, I just wanted to make sure that I was standing up for my brothers. He says the publisher promised a bonus if the book sells a lot of copies, and McDonough says hell donate some of that to a non-profit organization. I feel like just now within the last six months Ive been able to build relationships with some of the families outside of that we talk about my daughter, what they are up to, whats going on with their lives, grandkids. Thats the way I felt like people were portraying him.. He currently speaks as a motivational speaker for many public and private events. What, if anything, does Brendan think are the most important lessons learned? My Lost Brothers: The Untold Story by the Yarnell Hill Fire's Lone Survivor My Lost Brothers: The Untold Story by the Yarnell Hill Fire's Lone Survivor: McDonough, Brendan, Talty, Stephan: 9780316308182: Amazon.com: Books Skip to main content .us Hello Select your address Books The local firefighters union said that of the 13 Hotshots denied full benefits Andrew Ashcraft was the only one to work 40 hours a week year-round. t think it was important enough to hear my opinion again. As he writes, he remembers stories from his hotshot days, and he says it illuminates for him what is still painful that he can address in counseling. You may be able to find another website where this is encouraged, but its not the vision I have for Wildfire Today. Father Believer Granite Mountain Hotshot Author Speaker Holdfast Recovery. Should have clarified, providing Brendan an oppurtunity to speak. He did hear, though, a discussion about Marsh going on ahead toward the ranch to make sure the route was good, and Marsh later told Steed they should make their way down there. He assured Steed that he had. McDonougth does say he suffers from serious mental health issues, Velodota said. U need help brendan, the wife writes to him. [3], On January 11, 2019, McDonough was selected 35th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Steed told him he was listening to it and asked McDonough if he. Brendan McDonough is on Facebook. You just overcome.". He then showed up at his wifes workplace and began to make scene until she went to speak with him outside, according to the warrant. Last summer was his third season with the crew, having been hired in April at $12.48 an hour. "It's not something you wanna hear," McDonough said. Wife: Not Available: Sibling: Not Available: Children: Not Available: Brendan McDonough Net Worth. "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.". I wanted to talk to you because I feel the community thinks I sold out. I couldnt even get a job at McDonalds flipping burgers. Vice President Joe Biden and Arizona Governor Janice Brewer are on the . You think you can tell by the expression on their face or the particular words they use. Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough pose during a ceremony at the 58nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco on June 19, 2018. Not just a hotshot crew or nineteen fire brothers. ve heard so many versions. 1. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Map & Directions [+]. Brendan was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. 27.5k Followers, 365 Following, 1,004 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Brendan McDonough (@donut_928) donut_928. "May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields". David O'Connell was the auxiliary bishop of the Los Angeles Archdiocese who was found dead in a home on February 18, 2023. Prescott, AZ 86305. When the fire shifted and moved toward McDonough, the rate of spread increased dramatically. Courtesy of Juliann Ashcraft/AP Photo Brendan has done much to provide support for both veterans and first responders, as they are close to his heart. and last updated 2014-06-25 15:09:55-04. Its really nice to be able to have that.. Brendan McDonough Vicky Shen Henry Richard Pace University, 2025 Jane Richard Thayer Academy, 2024 Eamon Baker Catholic Memorial High School, 2022 Mairead Baker Harvard University, 2024 Jack Burke BC High, 2022 Nolan Cleary BC High, 2022 Liley Damatin Worcester State University, 2024 Peter Datish University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2025 You cant always be strong and tough if you cant even help yourself., Some people thought that I sold out by doing the book and that I was going to write about something that I didnt tell the investigators about, but thats not the truth. I, m still going to be making truck payments, I, m still going to be struggling to pay for my medical insurance. or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. Brendan McDonough, 21, was serving as lookout and relaying key information to his team when the wildfire suddenly changed direction 19 firefighters confirmed died Arizona town of Yarnell Fire. They were lost that day; I lost my boys. I probably would have continued doing drugs, I probably would have ended up in prison or with an overdose, or dead. It showed me that I wanted to help people, but I needed to get help myself. All 19 hotshot families will receive worker's compensation and a one-time federal payment of $328,000, CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports. I really want to share some of my darker moments, and help people know that its okay to get help. Im really rooted here; I love it here., HIRED ON WITH THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOT CREW, McDonough was not a first-round pick when he was hired on with the crew. "Everything seemed normal, not threatening. Once inside, McDonough accused his wife of not letting him see the kids and of trying to break up the family. It's not their fault. Brendans life was much like that of the people who walk through the doors of Holdfast Recovery today. Working with them, says McDonough, I was trying to heal as a person and help others heal, and share my stories, and kind of work with the fundraisers.. "That's not going to remember my brothers the right way," McDonough said. It showed me that I wanted to help people, but I needed to get help myself. He says hes been doing intensive therapy and taking care of himself and trying to be a good father. Im like anyone else. Firefighter Brendan McDonough, 21, remained in seclusion Wednesday after Prescott, Ariz., officials said he was the only member of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew to survive Sunday's deadly. https://brendanjmcdonough.com/book/ https://www.holdfastrecovery.com Did he have any interaction with the crew that day? He is not dating anyone. Brendan McDonough, 40, according to the warrant for his arrest, was charged after assaulting his wife and one of their children, blitzing his wife over several days with threatening and . McDonough grabbed the boy and smacked him on the buttocks, according to the warrant. And I guess the State didnt think it was important enough to hear my opinion again. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Show more Show. It took me a while to realize that the depression was not going away and was getting worse., He says the families of those killed in the fire are supportive and treat him like family, but he says he knows it sometimes hurts them to be around him. I just have the title of Yarnell Hill Lone Survivor. From left to right: McDonough's son Brendan, second wife Lynette, McDonough, daughter Caroline and son Patrick. Daddy no, the children yell, according to the warrant. "I never questioned them before, why should I question them now? McDonough wonders why everything turned deadly that day too -- but he does not puzzle over Marsh's judgment or that of any other Hotshot. It was a class act. When the fire shifted and moved toward McDonough, the rate of spread increased dramatically. I knew I needed to deal with it because I started having suicidal thoughts. Born September 6, 1947 in Providence he was the son of the late Thomas and Phyllis (Kubilius) McDonough. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. In the five weeks since, Brendan McDonough has been grieving in private and putting on a brave face in public, reading the Hotshots Prayer at a large memorial service attended by families of the fallen, friends and dignitaries including Vice President Biden. I wanted to clear things up with the wildland firefighting community. An investigation into the firefighters' deaths is under way, but officials have said the crew moving on foot in rugged terrain was aware as it changed positions that the direction of the wind pushing the fire was shifting. But the city insists Andrew Ashcraft and 12 others were seasonal employees and are therefore not entitled to the lifetime salaries and health benefits - worth millions - given to the six full-time Hotshots. "This is where, you know, the best memories of my life will be.". He could see them clearly enough to identify individuals as he left and headed toward a nearby highway used as a command center for the fire response. And when Donut thinks of their fallen, he gazes down at the inked words on his arm, which end with hope. And he is determined not to let down the families of the Nineteen, either. McDonough says he was collecting weather observations from his lookout post when the weather warning came over the radio. ( CBS 5) Brendan McDonough, 21, is the lone survivor of the 20-man team that went into the Yarnell Hill Fire as it spread throughout central Arizona. On the next day, Oct. 12, McDonough began calling to say he wanted to see the kids and have a family dinner. McDonough, in a different location, escaped uninjured after getting a ride out of the area in a, He now lives in Prescott, Arizona with his girlfriend, his four-year-old daughter, and the girlfriend, s three-year-old daughter. Brendan McDonough's net worth He had never talked to me face to face, and Chief Willis did another article saying that, McDonough explains that the post-fire trauma, the investigations, and multiple lawsuits were a huge strain on him, and he certainly didn, everyone was trying to blame them and I just wanted people to know that these guys were amazing men and they got caught in a really bad situation. 2023 University of Montana. All 19 of his brother Hotshots had just been killed by the ripping Yarnell Hill blaze in the largest loss of life among firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. I remember I was just sitting there in shock. He says the families of those killed in the fire are supportive and treat him like family, but he says he knows it sometimes hurts them to be around him.