Veteran Firefighter Recovers After Emergency Triple Bypass Surgery

Greg Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran and wildland firefighter, underwent urgent triple bypass surgery on Monday after doctors identified a major blockage in his heart. Smith is currently recovering at a hospital in Mesa, Arizona, where he is expected to remain through the weekend.

Smith Served as Firefighter and Donated Kidney

Smith spent 35 years as a wildland firefighter, during which time he led hotshot crews within Arizona and throughout the United States. His history of service extends to his colleagues; several years ago, Smith donated a kidney to Bill Kuche, a fellow firefighter.

Reflecting on the donation, Kuche stated, To me it means I’ve got a friend, a co-worker, a brother that I’ve worked with for years, and all of a sudden he’s willing to give up an important part of his chemistry — an organ — to keep me alive, noting that the two have remained close friends.

Friends rally to help Arizona wildland firefighter after surgery

Family and Community Support Smith Through Recovery

While the surgery was successful, Smith’s children noted the difficulty of seeing their father in a vulnerable state. His daughter, Morgan Smith, described her father as someone she viewed as invincible, like a superhero, adding that he had always been in excellent health.

To assist with rising medical bills, Kuche established a GoFundMe page. The campaign received rapid support from both strangers and friends, with Morgan Smith noting that thousands of dollars were raised within minutes. A donor also provided an Airbnb in Mesa so Smith's children could stay near the hospital instead of traveling three hours from Sierra Vista.

Support Efforts

Kuche characterized the outpouring of aid as a reflection of the firefighter community, stating, It’s just what we do, what we do for each other, especially as tight [a] community of firefighters is. Contributions continue through the GoFundMe page created to support Smith and his family.