Draper fire chief reflects on losing one of his own after deadly firefighter tragedy

  • Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith recalls losing Battalion Chief Matt Burchett in 2018.
  • The Wildland Firefighter Foundation supports victims’ families, emphasizing the risks firefighters face.

DRAPER — The sudden and tragic deaths of three firefighters along the Utah-Colorado border over the weekend are hitting especially close to home for the Draper Fire Department.

For Fire Chief Clint Smith, the tragedy brings back painful memories of a loss his own department endured: the death of a fellow firefighter in the line of duty.

At the Draper fire station, tributes to Battalion Chief Matt Burchett remain a constant reminder. Photos and plaques honor his life, but those who knew him say it’s the relationships and memories that matter most…

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