Molly Ahlgren, Sitka Vol. Fire Department, November 30, 2004
Molly Ahlgren
Emergency Medical Technician
Sitka Volunteer Fire Department
Died: November 30, 2004
Molly and another rescuer were responding to a medical call on Siginaka Island near Sitka, Alaska. This call involved a police recruit that had been injured during a training session. As an EMT and Rescue Diver for the Sitka Volunteer Fire Department she responded by boat to the incident. During the response the boat ran aground, Molly was thrown forward to the lower deck. She was killed instantly by the fall. She had been a volunteer with the department for over 10 years at her death.
The following was provided by the Sitka Volunteer Fire Department and taken from the National EMS Memorial website.
Molly touched many lives and had many friends. She walked lightly on this earth, with long strides and most of the time with a dog by her side. This woman had a brilliant mind, and always seemed at peace with herself. She was a life-long learner and her intellect was astounding. Molly was an inspiration to all because of her courage, perseverance, and authenticity. She had amazing blue eyes, a warming smile; she was one of those rare human jewels. Sitka and the world will be lessened without her light. These were a few of the comments made by friends during Molly’s funeral service.
Molly O. Ahlgren, 47, of Sitka, Alaska died in the line of duty on November 30, 2004 in a boating accident. Molly and another rescuer answered a medical call on the Siginaka Islands; a police recruit had been injured during a training session. The boat ran around throwing Ahlgren violently to the lower deck. The fall caused severe cervical spine injuries, which killed the new EMT immediately.
Ms. Ahlgren was an emergency medical technician and a rescue diver with the Sitka, Alaska Volunteer Fire Department. She had been a member of the dive team with the fire department since 1994. In 2003, Molly decided to become an EMT and began actively volunteering with the department the same year.
Molly was an aquatic ecologist and a professor at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka. She was an active researcher, publishing much of her scientific work. Ms. Ahlgren was named president of the Alaska Chapter of American Fisheries Society and was a dedicated environmentalist. Molly felt her purpose was “to show people how to encounter the mystery of nature,” said Professor Art Cleveland. A scholarship through the American Fisheries Society is established in Molly’s name.
Molly, stating she needs to add more adventure into her aging adulthood, took up ballet. She not only studied the art of ballet, but performed the part of Mother Ginger in “The Nutcracker Suite.” She became one of the founding members of the Sitka Ballet Company.