We are deeply saddened to hear from mutual friend Greg Noll that Chief Don Abbott passed away this evening after his battle with several health issues over the last 5 years. He only learned of Don’s deteriorating health status yesterday after friends tried to contact Don and tell him of his induction into the National Fire Heritage Center – Hall of Leaders, Legends and Legacies Class of 2023. Earlier today Don’s daughter advised that Don was being sent to hospice and we learned of his passing this evening.
To today’s Firefighters, Don and his exhaustive work is why we better understand the need for disciplined incident command/control, firefighter staffing and the realities of MAYDAY.
From Greg Noll: Don is one of the original plank holders of the HazMat response community, and both Don and his wife Bev were familiar faces at the Rockville Conference and then the various state and regional conferences that sprang up in the 1980’s and 1990’s. While many know Don because of his unique work with Abbottville, HM and Command School training, his impact upon the emergency response community broadly and the hazmat response community specifically, go far beyond. This includes his role in establishing the Command Training Center with the Phoenix Fire Dept. and Bruno, to his most recent work with the Project Mayday http://projectmayday.
On a personal note, we had the pleasure of knowing Don professionally, including instructing together at Command School for many years, but also, Don and Bev adopted Teri’s dog “Lady” in 2003, when she needed a warmer home, in Phoenix.
All of us have plenty of stories about Don that will keep us smiling for many years. The AARP HazMat Chapter headquartered in Heaven gets another member.
HERE are some links related to the wonderful work Don did on behalf of every Firefighter:
Please keep Bev and Don’s family in your prayers. More to follow.
Rest In Peace Don…you are already missed, Brother.
The Secret List 10/29/2022-2203 Hours