CFD Recognized for Life-Saving Organ Donation Impact
Published on July 28, 2026
The Caldwell Fire Department and its crews were recognized by Envision Sight through the First Responder Donation Recognition Program for the vital role firefighters and paramedics play in making organ, eye and tissue donation possible.
During the recognition ceremony, firefighters were honored for their compassionate care in three donor cases that ultimately gave hope and healing to others. The ceremony recognized the responding crews involved in three donor cases from 2026, each representing the extraordinary impact emergency responders can have long after an emergency call has ended. While every response begins with the goal of saving a life, those efforts can also provide families the opportunity to honor a loved one's final wishes through donation when survival is no longer possible.
Donor 1
On March 15, 2026, Caldwell Fire Department and Canyon County Paramedics responded to a cardiac arrest in Caldwell. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts and transport to the hospital, the patient was later pronounced deceased. As a registered donor, the individual's final wishes were honored through eye and tissue donation. Their corneas restored sight to two recipients—one in Tampa, Florida, and another in internationally—while donated tissue will help burn victims, orthopedic patients and others for years to come.
Responding personnel:
Canyon County Paramedics
• Jorry Bowers
• Ethan Mittelstadt
Caldwell Fire Department
• Justin Hughes
• Bryan Walker
• Jacob Payne
• Will Gigray
Donor 2
On May 3, 2026, Caldwell Fire Department and Canyon County Paramedics responded to a medical emergency in Caldwell. The patient received advanced lifesaving care, including intubation, before being transported to Saint Alphonsus Nampa and later transferred to Saint Alphonsus Boise. Although the patient ultimately met the medical and legal criteria for death by neurological evaluation, their decision to register as an organ donor allowed up to eight lives to be saved through organ transplantation. The donor also restored sight to two people through corneal donation and provided tissue donations that will improve countless lives.
Responding personnel:
Canyon County Paramedics
• Jorry Bowers
• Ben Santa
Caldwell Fire Department
• Dewayne Birch
• Ryan Sterling
• Justin Hawkins
Donor 3
On July 4, 2026, while many people were preparing to celebrate Independence Day, Caldwell Fire Department and Canyon County Paramedics responded to a cardiac arrest in Caldwell. The patient was transported to Saint Alphonsus Nampa and remained on life support for three days before the family made the courageous decision to pursue organ, eye and tissue donation. That decision resulted in multiple organ transplants, tissue donations that will benefit numerous recipients and restored sight to two additional individuals through corneal transplantation.
Responding personnel:
Canyon County Paramedics
• Shelbi Cluff
• Keaton Masse
• Scott Hansen
Caldwell Fire Department
• Richard Carico
• Jeremy Sawmiller
• Kodi Dean
• Kevin Hargan
• Nicholas Alhady
• Jacob Lang
Together, these three donors will impact dozens of lives across the United States and internationally through organ transplantation, restored sight and life-enhancing tissue donation.
According to Envision Sight, organ donation remains rare in the Treasure Valley. To date this year, there have been only five organ donors throughout the region, and the Caldwell Fire Department had the privilege of caring for two of those donors. Through organ, eye and tissue donation, a single donor has the potential to save and heal up to 70 lives.
"First responders are the very first link in the chain of donation," said Jay Lugo, Executive Director of Envision Sight. "Their professionalism, compassion and commitment to providing exceptional care make it possible for families to honor their loved one's wishes and create an incredible legacy. While these firefighters and paramedics may never meet the people whose lives they have changed, their work has given hope to recipients not only here in Idaho, but across the country and around the world. We are proud to recognize the Caldwell Fire Department for the extraordinary impact its crews have made."
During the ceremony, Envision Sight presented Certificates of Appreciation to the responding firefighters and paramedics involved in each donor case and recognized the Caldwell Fire Department for its continued partnership in supporting the gift of life.
"Every call our firefighters respond to is centered on doing everything possible to save a life," said Fire Chief Bryan Daniels. "While not every emergency has the outcome we hope for, it is humbling to know that through the generosity of donor families and the dedication of our crews, lives can continue to be changed long after the call is over. We are honored to receive this recognition and grateful to the donor families whose selfless decisions continue to give others a second chance."
Envision Sight's First Responder Donation Recognition Program was created to honor firefighters, EMS professionals and emergency responders whose care, professionalism and compassion help make organ, eye and tissue donation possible. The program recognizes the critical role first responders play in preserving the opportunity for donation and celebrates the lasting impact their work has on recipients and families alike.