A lot of people think I should donate all the money back from the book; I dont have the funds to do that. Prior to his appointment Brendan McDonagh was Director Finance, Technology & Risk with the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). McDonough is a young center back who will look to develop as a professional in 2019. She was born July 25, 1953, in Plattsburgh to her parents Royce Bradford and Argenta LeClair Reed.. 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. "Jesse Steed, my captain, said, 'All right, I'll see you soon.' Public defender Dean Velodota told the judge McDonough has been in the state five years and was not a flight risk. 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. Thats not who I am. That. / CBS/AP, PRESCOTT, Ariz. Im sharing the stories and the great memories I have of them, and Im telling my stories about Yarnell what I saw, how I felt, and what I think happened., He says the book also addresses his counseling. "I walked into the shelter deployment site and determined that the voices I had heard were coming from still functioning radios. I know they were asked to come to Yarnell if it was possible and Eric said. And mentally, I can. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. 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. That night he showed up at the wifes house and began pounding on the door. His net worth has been growing . U need help brendan, the wife writes to him. Last summer was his third season with the crew, having been hired in April at $12.48 an hour. "Why wasn't I there with them?" On January 11, 2019, McDonough was selected 35th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.He was officially added to the club's roster on March 6, 2019, signing an MLS contract for 2019 with options through to 2022. This video shares the incredible journey of Brendan McDonough. 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. Show more Show. Brendan McDonough, speaking here in an exclusive interview with ABC News, was the only member of his 20-man Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot firefighting crew to survive the Yarnell Hill Fire in late June 2013. The judge also put mental health and suicide watches on McDonough. The crew had 11 kids among them, including McDonough's own two-year-old daughter, and three not yet born who lost dads they'll never meet. 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. Brendan McDonough Net Worth I wanted to make sure I wasnt letting people tell stories that werent true.. I probably would have continued doing drugs, I probably would have ended up in prison or with an overdose or dead. CLICK HERE to return to The Investigative Unit homepage. I lost my brothers, my mentors, my religious guidance it was tough. That doesn. He says the book also addresses his counseling. Paula Ann Reed McDonough passed away at her home in Keene Valley on Feb. 5, 2021. McDonough also went into a rage over his wife blocking his numbers on cell phones, according to the warrant. They taught me all they knew, and they also taught me how to be a man, a well-rounded man. PHOTOS: Brendan 'Donut' McDonough Watched the Roaring Fire Turn on His Friends Every one of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, except for McDonough, was burned alive sometime after 4:30 p.m. on June 30, when the Yarnell Hill Fire suddenly whipped 180 degrees around and cut off their escape route from a scrub brush meadow to a nearby ranch. "That's not going to help anyone," including his 2-year-old daughter. Every one of them strong, smart, always ready to head into the danger others fled. What we dont know are exactly who made certain decisions and their rationale. City officials declined CBS News' multiple requests for an interview, but Monday they sent a statement. 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. McDonough says the team could now see what was happening -- contradicting some accounts that they were unaware the fire was heading toward them. I couldn. 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. He now lives in Prescott, Arizona with his girlfriend, his four-year-old daughter, and the girlfriends three-year-old daughter. It took hard work to get where he is, but his faith has made it possible to free him from the shame and guilt that was holding him prisoner. But the light of hope that inspired him to keep living in one of his darkest momentshis family who needed himinspired the firefighter to fight on against depression, addiction and to inspire others to find their best selves, even if that means often looking beyond the self. Eric Marsh, superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, at one point told a fire manager on the radio that the 19 men were deploying their emergency shelters. But I am going to take care of my family, Im going to make sure I have food on the table. Its all foggy for me; Ive heard so many versions. The interview with Brendan McDonough is being opened again for comments after the strategic pause and a cleaning up of the thread. He says everyone else was telling their side of the story, and he wanted to tell his side. If you did, do you know if Jesse Steed or Eric Marsh heard it? Im still going to be making truck payments, Im still going to be struggling to pay for my medical insurance. Prosecutor Danielle OConnell told Hartford Superior Court Judge Claudia Baio that she was concerned about the alleged assaults and threats McDonough made in front of his three children. We hope that any additional comments, as we said before, will be in a more productive, meaningful, and positive atmosphere. 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. Today he is a public speaker and CEO of Holdfast Recovery. , money, salary, income, and assets. But that latter point proves a wake-up call for Brendan. Daddy no, the children yell, according to the warrant. As a sophomore at Westwood High School in suburban Boston he landed a gig at local sports radio station . I remember I was just sitting there in shock. I feel like the winds didnt reach their full potential until close to the time they deployed their fire shelters. He adds that when he and Blue Ridge were moving the crew buggies, the winds were strong, and picked up more near the time of the deployment. "We want to restore what we had. They were lost that day; I lost my boys. Eric Marsh didnt kill eighteen other people himself. Steed told him he was listening to it and asked McDonough if he. Excellent article and interview Mr. Gabbert. At 4:47, it was reported over the radio that McDonough's crewmates had been forced to deploy their individual fire shelters -- a last ditch step. re two feet away from somebody? Work with a team who knows exactly what you are going through. Brendan McDonough, 40, allegedly sent a series of text messages to his wife, who he is separated from, in which he threatened to kill her and take the children. I know they were asked to come to Yarnell if it was possible and Eric said, No, we are going to stay here in the black. And for some reason they left.. To learn more about organizations helping the families of the 19 fallen firefighters, visit Prescott Firefighters Charities and The Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Brendan McDonough of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, A discussion about guilt, depression, and growth Fire Engineering Host Jim Burneka speaks with Brendan McDonough, the lone survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. And I came to a point where I just didn't have any more tears.". "Whoever didn't bring their phone, I could hear phones ringing, knowing that it was their wives, their family," McDonough recounted in an exclusive interview with ABC News to air on "Good Morning America" today. He encourages all of you to make these festivals a part of your calendar during the summer and enjoy all Montana has to offer. McDonough, who describes himself as a knuckle dragger, is actually writing parts of the book with Talty. "It's tough," McDonough said, as he sat near a rack of sharpened chains for their saws in the ready room left just as it was the morning of the fire, when the 20 Hotshots had their last briefing. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Today, Brendan McDonough continues to live in Prescott, Arizona with his 3 children and wife while running Holdfast Recovery. Thank you Bill for the article and for providing this man an oppurtunity to speak. He has attended every funeral and visited each of the Nineteen's families. The festival was held in Missoula for three years before relocating to Butte. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. And then came very bad news that smoke-choked afternoon. Exeter - Thomas James McDonough, 70, of Levitt Lane died Thursday, May 10, 2018 in the MICU at Rhode Island Hospital. Actor Neal McDonough and his wife Ruve arrive at "The Losers" Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 20, 2010 in Hollywood, California. 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. Because of his experience gained in planning festivals and live-events, Brendan was hired to be the Festival Coordinator for the National Folk Festival to be hosted in Butte. Im a reminder about Yarnell. Sunk into my seat, I sunk into myself," he said. Wishing all those affected by Yarnell the very best. I, m still going to be making truck payments, I, m still going to be struggling to pay for my medical insurance. his background, drug problems, burglary conviction, and becoming a father at age 19. m sharing the stories and the great memories I have of them, and I. what I saw, how I felt, and what I think happened. Do you think there might be an opportunity for you to follow up with Brendan if you feel some good questions were raised? "That's not going to remember my brothers the right way," McDonough said. Do you remember seeing the thunderstorm moving in with the strong winds, pushing the fire toward the crew? There isn. 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. ", Incredibly, McDonough says quitting firefighting is "not an option. Fellow first responders and men who are struggling with drugs and alcohol have a safe harbor to recover and free themselves from addiction just as Brendan did. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. 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 didnt do. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. 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. According to our Database, He has no children. You dont even have money for gas. He likes Prescott, he says, but acknowledges that its tough for him to live there. t understand how much face-to-face conversation Steed and Marsh engaged in that afternoon. "May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields". He is haunted by the last words of his boss. Their superintendent, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left thecrew, andseeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. McDonough agreed. His relationship with Jesus andChristian-based treatmenthas helped him heal and help others do the same. I love my mom and you go daddy, a child can be heard saying on the recording of the incident, according to the warrant. Sun-bleached T-shirts from fire units across the nation, helmets, wilting flowers, rain-rippled handwritten notes, photos, and 19 sets of everything from shovels to crosses, bandanas and flags drape the fencing for two blocks. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Our fire personnel @ Sacramento NWR (CA) completed a #rxfire via airboat and terra torch - allowing them to reach areas of the wetland that are normally inaccessible. . Take care of yourself and your family. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. He said he didnt talk to Willis and doesnt remember him talking to others on the crew. It's not their fault. 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. August 7, 2013 / 2:04 PM Lone survivor Brendan McDonough and Only the Brave moviemakers honor the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in Arizona in 2013. Videos Tagged. McDonough was released by Vancouver at the end of the 2019 season. On August 7, 2019, McDonough was loaned to USL Championship side Charlotte Independence for the remainder of the season. Father Believer Granite Mountain Hotshot Author Speaker Holdfast Recovery. After the dust settles and it opens again, hopefully it will be in a more productive, meaningful, and positive atmosphere. Brendan McDonough was a Fire Explorer at the age of 14 and ten years later was in his third season with the Granite Mountain Hotshots when the unthinkable happened. Prescott, But I remember hearing that. McDonough says he was collecting weather observations from his lookout post when the weather warning came over the radio. They were lost that day; I lost my boys. [7][8], McDonough was released by Vancouver at the end of the 2019 season. "No, I never question the decisions they've made," he said, seated in the ready room beneath crossed axes affixed to one wall. 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. I knew I needed to deal with it because I started having suicidal thoughts. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. 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. But by then the 21-year-old elite wildland firefighter -- whom his fellow Hotshots affectionately called "Donut" in a play on his last name -- knew the horrible truth that their own families did not yet know, as he sat in the seat absorbing the magnitude of what was happening.