The Beiseker Fire Department has established a new scholarship honouring Morgan Kitchen, a former volunteer firefighter who died last year battling the Jasper Wildfire Complex.
In a written news release on April 8 on the department's Facebook page, Beiseker Fire said the $1,000 Morgan Kitchen Memorial Award will be awarded annually to a student in Lakeland College's full-time Firefighter Training or Emergency Services Technology program. A private donor and the Kitchen family are funding the scholarship.
"Morgan helped to build the BFD at a time when we had nothing to offer him in return," the release stated. "He was larger than life, generous with his time, and always looking for an adventure."
The department said the award is intended to ensure "Morgan's life of service, and sacrifice, is carried forward by the generations of firefighters to come."
Kitchen volunteered with the department from January 2021 to June 2022 before joining the British Royal Marines. He returned to Alberta and was working with Alberta Wildfire when he was fatally injured in August 2024 while responding to a wildfire near Jasper.
"Morgan was an eager and engaged member of BFD, always ready for anything," Deputy Chief Amanda Davies said in the release. "When these memories are shared with the newest members of our profession, the spirit of sacrifice endures. We set up this award to recognize and perpetuate the values of selflessness, courage and mentorship Morgan embodied."
Kitchen, who was 24, was struck by a falling tree while working northeast of Jasper on Aug. 3. RCMP said they were notified of the incident at approximately 2:15 p.m. that day. He was based out of the Rocky Mountain House Fire Base and was a resident of Calgary.
Parks Canada officials said Kitchen's crew provided immediate first aid and activated the incident's medical response plan. Jasper National Park's Visitor Safety Specialists and Alberta Wildfire personnel transported him by stretcher to a helipad, where STARS air ambulance was waiting. He was flown to the Parks Canada Operations Compound in Jasper but was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
"Tragically, despite efforts of the first responders and STARS air ambulance team specialists, the injured firefighter did not survive," officials said. "This incident highlights the dangerous nature of wildland firefighting and the hazards that crew members encounter every day."
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety was notified of the death and launched an investigation.
Beiseker Fire confirmed Kitchen's identity in a public Facebook post on Aug. 8, 2024, saying he "came to us as a young man with dreams of building a career in emergency response."
"He pursued that relentlessly, serving in the military and leaving our department to join the Royal Marines," the department wrote. "Truly, Morgan lived a life of service, and we are better for him having been here."
Widespread tributes followed the news of his death. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was "deeply saddened," while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Kitchen as someone who "served Albertans with unwavering bravery."
"My heart goes out to the family and friends of this front-line hero who had an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our communities," Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen wrote on social media at the time. "We grieve this terrible news with you."
Local fire departments across Alberta — including Airdrie, Didsbury, Carstairs and Olds — posted tributes and messages of support.
Lakeland College will administer the new scholarship.
Preference will be given to applicants with volunteer fire experience or who have served with Alberta Wildfire, the Canadian Armed Forces or Commonwealth Armed Forces. Applications will open through the college's student awards portal online.
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