Community members and first-responders from across the Verde Valley have joined the members of the Copper Canyon Fire & Medical Authority in grief this morning, shocked by the sudden loss of Copper Canyon firefighter Shane Gage on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, according to a press release from CCFMA Fire Chief Danny Johnson sent out just after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Gage, a resident of Prescott Valley, joined CCFMA in January 2017. He was a member of the Sedona Verde Valley Fire Fighters Association Local 3690.
An Honor Watch has been organized and will be in place until further notice.
Gage is survived by his wife of eight years, Allie, his daughter, Sophie, and his parents Ron and Tammy.
“The circumstances of Shane’s death have not been disclosed. We ask that the privacy of Shane’s loved ones and his co-workers please be respected amid such a difficult time,” Johnson stated.
“Shane was truly an excellent firefighter and an even better friend,” Johnson stated. “It was an honor to work alongside him and to call him a brother. Today our hearts are with Allie and Sophie and with Shane’s parents and his family as we grieve this heartbreaking and unthinkable loss.”
Donations
The Camp Verde Fire Department Auxiliary is accepting donations on behalf of Gage’s wife and daughter, with 100% of the donations received given to them to help them through the challenges ahead.
Make cash or checks made payable to the “Camp Verde Fire Department Auxiliary” and drop them off or mail them to the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District administration office at 26B W. Salt Mine Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322, or to the Verde Valley Fire District administration office at 2700 E. Godard Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. The auxiliary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax receipts are available upon request.
The Camp Verde Fire District and Montezuma-Rimrock Fire District signed a joint powers agreement in 2016 as the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority. The CVFD and MRFD merged in 2018 to form the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District, but the auxiliary retains the original name.
For more information, contact the CCFMD at (928) 567-9401.
Donations are also being accepted through a GoFundMe campaign. Click here to donate. The GoFundMe is managed by Gage’s brother-in-law Jake Moffat.
Funeral Services
Funeral services for Gage will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Lifepoint Church, 10100 E. SR 69, in Prescott Valley.
At the request of the Gage family, the memorial service will be open to family, friends, firefighters the extended fire family and public. Services will be followed by a private reception for family and members of Shane’s fire family.
In lieu of flowers, members of the general public are encouraged to consider donating to the Camp Verde Fire Department Auxiliary.
For firefighter organizations sending flowers, send them to Lifepoint Church located at 10100 E AZ 69 Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 between 8:30 and 10 am on the day of the service.
Public safety organizations who are going to send an apparatus to the services are asked to RSVP by noon, Friday, Oct. 4 to Copper Canyon Fire at (928) 567-9401. All static displays apparatus should be in place by 10 a.m. at 10100 E AZ 69 Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Static display will be placed on Academy Way just north of the church.
