Lacey Professional Firefighters launch fundraiser for injured firefighter Jake Johnson

An official fundraising effort launched by Lacey Professional Firefighters is supporting Lacey Fire District 3 firefighter Jake Johnson, who is hospitalized after suffering life-threatening injuries in an off-duty fall on July 19. 

Johnson’s condition worsened on Tuesday, July 21, according to a statement released by the Lacey Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2903 on Thursday, July 23.

His family then authorized the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, a form of life support that temporarily takes over heart and lung function while the body recovers. 

Olympia and Tumwater fire crews responded to the scene of the fall, stabilized Johnson and transported him to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia before he was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for specialized trauma care.

He has since undergone multiple surgeries to repair internal injuries and remains in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Harborview.

The union said Johnson is now stable, but faces a lengthy recovery. 

Community support 

Fellow firefighters, law enforcement officers and community members have joined together to support Johnson's family, with expressions of encouragement continuing to grow. 

In a July 22 social media post, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders recalled catching up with Johnson at Lakefair just one day before his fall, noting they had not seen each other in some time. 

"Today, I learned that the day after I saw him, he had an off-duty accident where he fell from a substantial height," said Sanders, who urged the public to consider contributing to the fundraising campaign. 

The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters also appealed for public support in a statement on Wednesday, July 22, saying Johnson’s family, fellow firefighters and statewide fire service community have rallied around him during his recovery. 

Lacey Fire District 3 (LFD3), in a separate statement issued on July 23, said many members of the public have reached out to ask how they can support Johnson and stay informed about his condition. 

The district thanked the community for what it called an overwhelming display of compassion and pointed the public to the Lacey Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2903 Facebook page for official updates. 

Mountain View Fire & Rescue, where Johnson previously worked, also asked the public to keep him in their thoughts in a July 23 statement.

Johnson joined Mountain View in August 2021 and earned the respect of fellow firefighters through his work ethic before joining LFD3 in August 2025, the agency said. 

The department asked the community to keep Johnson, his family and the fire service in their thoughts during what it called a difficult time. 

Fundraising

IAFF Local 2903 said donations will help cover medical deductibles, household expenses, travel, lodging, meals, ongoing care and other expenses while Johnson is unable to work. 

The union said contributions made through the official Lacey Firefighters Charity Venmo account will go to Johnson and his family, and donations also may be mailed to Lacey Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2903, P.O. Box 5013, Lacey, WA 98509. 

Both the union and the fire district urged supporters to use only the official donation page, warning the public to be aware of potential fundraising scams using Johnson's name.