Nearly a year after Battalion Chief Frank Harwood of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue was killed in an ambush attack, his family has launched the FJH Initiative—a mentorship and outdoor education program designed to support at-risk youth and train first responders as mentors across the North Idaho Panhandle and beyond.
Harwood, 42, was shot and killed on June 29, 2025, while responding to an intentionally set wildland fire on Canfield Mountain. His wife, Meghan Harwood, became determined to transform her family’s tragedy into meaningful action for the community. “I never wanted the day Frank died to be the end of the story,” she said of the initiative that now bears his initials.
Program Design and Goals
The yearlong FJH Initiative will launch next summer and target approximately 15 to 20 middle and high school students from the Kootenai County region, including communities like Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and Rathdrum. The program combines outdoor recreational activities with structured mentorship and mental health support, reflecting both Frank Harwood’s personal passions and the broader needs of struggling youth.
Participants will engage in fishing, hiking, dirt biking, skiing, and camping—experiences designed to build resilience and connection. First responders will be trained as mentors through the program, ensuring that participants benefit from the guidance of professionals who understand crisis response and community service. Meghan Harwood emphasized the program’s mental health focus, stating, “I think mental health is the key.”
Honoring Frank Harwood’s Legacy
Frank Harwood was more than a dedicated firefighter. He was an avid trail runner who found joy in outdoor pursuits, and his family’s love of exploration—including visits to several national parks—became a cornerstone of the initiative’s philosophy. By channeling these passions into youth development, the program honors his memory while addressing real challenges facing young people in Kootenai County and across Idaho.
The 20-year-old who shot Harwood during the fire response highlighted the unpredictability and danger that first responders face. Rather than allowing that tragedy to define the narrative, the Harwood family chose to invest in prevention and support—reaching young people before they reach crisis points.
Expanding Beyond North Idaho
The FJH Initiative is intentionally designed to be replicated nationally, reflecting the Harwood family’s vision that Frank’s legacy might inspire similar programs in fire departments and communities across the country. The program’s emphasis on first responder mentorship and youth mental health addresses gaps that exist in many rural and urban communities alike.
Those interested in supporting the initiative or volunteering their time can visit fjhinitiative.com for more information about donations and mentorship opportunities. As the program prepares for its first cohort next summer, it represents a unique partnership between Kootenai County’s first responder community and families committed to preventing tragedy through mentorship and outdoor connection.
What Comes Next
Registration for the inaugural program is expected to open in the coming months. Community members across the Panhandle—from Coeur d’Alene to Post Falls to Rathdrum—who are interested in mentoring, volunteering, or supporting the initiative can learn more through the program’s website or reach out to local fire and rescue agencies for involvement opportunities.