Our Story
Why 4 O’Chocolate?
A 4:00 pm Tradition of Connection
The 4 O’Chocolate Wildland Firefighter Project was formed in the wake of the tragedy on the Gore and Knowles fires along the Colorado–Utah border, where four wildland firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty on June 27, 2026.
4 O’Chocolate began as a 4:00 pm tradition started by Rifle Helitack Squad Leader Emily Barker, one of the four fallen firefighters. At 4:00 pm every shift, everyone stopped, shared chocolate, and connected. Everyone participated.
It was a simple pause in the middle of a demanding day that ultimately created space for connection, trust, and looking out for one another.
Inspired by Emily and Rifle Helitack’s 4 O’Chocolate tradition, our project carries forward a simple but powerful idea: pause, connect, and show up for one another.
The 4 O’Chocolate Wildland Firefighter Project brings that spirit to life by:
honoring those we have lost and their families
broadening access to support and training for wildland firefighters working to save our properties and lands
advancing firefighter safety research through informed research and solutions that help bring more wildland firefighters home safely.
We all know our climate is changing, and wildland fires continue to increase in number and severity. The lives of our wildland firefighters are precious - we need them, and they need us!
How We Began
4 O’Chocolate Wildland Firefighter Project grew out of personal connections to the four members of Rifle Helitack lost in June 2026—and a shared desire to turn grief into something that could help others.
Our founders came to this loss from different parts of the same community. Maddie Voshell is the wife of a Rifle Helitack wildland firefighter with 16 years in fire. TJ Jenkins and Kat Ruark were hockey teammates of Emily Barker, one of the fallen. Together, we wanted to honor those we lost while caring for the firefighters, families, and friends carrying on.
Our name comes from a tradition Emily started: taking a moment at 4:00 p.m. to share chocolate. That simple ritual of connection became the inspiration for our name and the spirit behind our work—a reminder to pause and care for one another.
What began with the three of us has grown through the commitment of our board and the generosity of our community. Our board brings experience in wildland firefighting, legislative advocacy, business, and community leadership, alongside the personal perspectives of family members and loved ones.
Together, we’re turning those connections into practical support and working toward a shared purpose: bringing more wildland firefighters home safely.