In memory of Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury
Searsmont Volunteer Fire Department · Searsmont, ME
Wayne Woodbury, Assistant Fire Chief of Searsmont Volunteer Fire Department, a firefighter / EMS, died in the line of duty on June 14, 2026 in Searsmont, ME.
Record
- Rank: Assistant Fire Chief
- Department: Searsmont Volunteer Fire Department
- Location: Searsmont, ME
- End of watch: June 14, 2026
- Nature of death: Trauma
- Years of service: 63
- Age: 76
Circumstances
On May 15, 2026, Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury responded with the Searsmont Volunteer Fire Department to a fire in a wood chip silo at a lumber mill. While operating the fire department truck and working to contain the fire, an explosion occurred. Assistant Fire Chief Woodbury was injured in the explosion and was transported to a local hospital. He was later transported to a medical center where he remained until he passed away on June 14, 2026. Firefighter Andrew Cross from the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department was also killed in the incident and multiple other firefighters were seriously injured and are still being treated.
This record appears on the RESPONDin line-of-duty memorial wall, a public remembrance of first responders who died in the line of duty. Source: usfa import.