Two battalion chiefs killed and two others credited with preventing more responders from entering the Coeur d’Alene ambush were among those nominated

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Four firefighters have been nominated for the Idaho Medal of Honor following a June 29 ambush in Coeur d’Alene in which a gunman opened fire on first responders, killing two battalion chiefs and wounding others during the response.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the Northern Lakes Fire District submitted the nominations to recognize personnel who responded to the incident, KXLY reported.

| MORE: ‘I’m pinned down behind Battalion 1’s rig': Audio reveals chief directing help to ambushed Idaho firefighters

The nominations name Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, both killed in the line of duty, as well as Coeur d’Alene Firefighter Dave Tysdal and Northern Lakes Fire District Captain Fritz Wiedenhoff, who survived the attack.

Officials said Tysdal and Wiedenhoff helped stop additional firefighters and police from entering the active threat area, allowing law enforcement to secure the scene. Tysdal was critically injured in the attack.

The departments called the ambush “a defining moment” and said the four firefighters’ actions embodied the highest standards of duty and courage.

The Idaho Medal of Honor Commission will make its decision on Feb. 10, 2026, and the departments will announce memorial and recognition plans when confirmed.

The executive order pushes FEMA and the Small Business Administration to preempt state and local permitting and let builders self-certify standards

January 28, 2026 06:58 AM

A $2.2M renovation project has modernized two longtime Cañon City fire stations, adding updated bunk areas, HVAC systems and advanced alerting technology

January 27, 2026 06:30 AM

The CPSE Center for Innovation Strategic Scan proposes six actionable takeaways related to apparatus purchasing challenges

January 26, 2026 08:33 PM

 · 

The Long Beach Fire Department says restoring and expanding ALS resources has improved response times and sharply reduced periods when no ambulances were available

January 28, 2026 02:49 PM

Program provides departments with the funding to address the risks of diesel exhaust and airborne contaminants

January 08, 2026 06:25 PM