The staff of Fire Engineering is saddened to learn that Donald Abbott has passed away at the age of 75.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Abbott was an Eagle Scout and served in the U.S. Army, according to his obituary. He retired from the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, where he developed and managed the Command Training Center for eight years. He was the coordinator of Project Mayday, a comprehensive study of Mayday responses and incidents.
Abbott traveled the country presenting the “Abbottville” training simulator diorama, training emergency responders in emergency incidents and disasters. He had retired as a division chief from the Warren Township (IN) Fire Department after more than 20 years of service, having developed and headed the department’s Special Operations Division. He was an FDIC International speaker and a Fire Engineering author, and was presented with the 2006 George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. He is to be inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center Hall of Leaders, Legends, and Legacies Class of 2023.
