Alicia Anne Monahan
October 26, 1980 - June 25, 2022
Midlothian, Virginia
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Alicia Anne Monahan
October 26, 1980 - June 25, 2022
Midlothian, Virginia
Obituary
Chesterfield County Fire and EMS would like to share some of the amazing accomplishments and contributions that Alicia made during her life. The positive impact she made on her family and friends, our organization, our community and everyone she encountered will live on forever. We miss you Alicia!
She was an experienced member of the department’s SCUBA Rescue Team and a member of the elite Virginia Helicopter Aquatics Rescue Team (VA HART), a joint initiative between the Virginia Army Air National Guard and Chesterfield County Fire & EMS.
In recent years she actively prepared for greater leadership responsibilities, completing a long-term acting lieutenant assignment at the Bon Air Fire Station, and was a candidate for promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
During her tenure with the department, she was honored with numerous citations and awards.
In May 2013, Alicia was part of a team that safely extricated multiple victims from a crash involving three vehicles.
In November 2013, she and her teammates acted quickly and decisively to remove multiple victims from a vehicle that was fully involved in fire following a head-on collision with another vehicle.
Alicia participated in life saves in April 2018 and January 2020, performing advanced medical care on patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
In October 2018, she and two other members of Scuba Rescue 7 rescued a victim trapped on the roof of their car in rising, swiftly moving flood waters. They each were recognized with a Bronze Valor Award for their efforts by the Retail Merchants Association.
A 2004 Radford University graduate, Alicia was a licensed dog trainer who served as an operational K9 handler for the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association.
She shared her love of the outdoors as Southeast Region Event Coordinator for SheJumps, a nonprofit that aims to increase the participation of women and girls in a variety of outdoor activities.
She was an Auxiliary Instructor for the US Naval Sea Cadets Program and supported Race Across America and Race Across the West as a driver and paramedic.
She worked as a whitewater raft guide for RVA Paddlesports and Riverside Outfitters, and as an instructor in search and rescue with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Alicia was also an active swift water rescue instructor teaching multiple classes during her off-duty time across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia as a valued instructor with Rescue 3 International, a global organization that provides technical rescue training.
On Saturday afternoon she was working with Rescue 3 International doing what she loved, training a group of fire and EMS professionals in the complexities of swift water rescue techniques.
The training session was being conducted on the Nantahala River outside Bryson City, North Carolina; an area that was very familiar to Alicia.
After conducting a safety briefing with the students she entered the water wearing full protective equipment and for reasons still unknown, became unresponsive. She was carried a short distance downstream by currents where she was removed from the river by individuals nearby who began resuscitation efforts. Despite the valiant efforts of those on scene, along with first responders and hospital staff, Alicia was pronounced dead a short time later at Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City.
According to Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Chief Loy Senter, “Alicia’s untimely passing weighs heavy on our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her fiancé, her two sons, extended family, and many friends. Her coworkers continue to support the needs of the family while at the same time providing uninterrupted emergency services to the community Alicia loved where she grew up and lived. While she will always be remembered for her devotion to duty and unparalleled service to others, her legacy will be the inspiration she provided to countless young women considering careers in the fire service or the pursuit of causes bigger than themselves.”
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: July 2, 2022 (10:00 AM)
- Venue: The Outlook At Saddle Ridge
- Location: 17901 River Rd. Chesterfield, VA 23838 - (Get Directions)
Chesterfield Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation
- Address: P. O. Box 812, Chesterfield, VA 23832 - (Get Directions)
- Website: https://cpffcf.org/
- Description: Please write in the Special Instructions Section, “Alicia Monahan.” One hundred percent of these donations will go directly to the benefit of her sons. Donations may also be dropped off at any Chesterfield Fire and EMS station.
27 responses to Alicia Anne Monahan
Katarina Greer & Giovanni Prosperi says:
July 2, 2022
Alicia, Gianni and myself shared so many fond memories with you. Everytime I put the Ford Transit in reverse I think of how expertly you disabled the annoying reverse alarm. I remember our fun night of karaoke-ing and listening to your grandpa sing along the RAAM route, listening to stand up comedy to keep ourselves awake. You were an expert of staying awake, so others could rest. I looked up to you, and simply being around you made me bolder, unafraid. You had this way of empowering women around you. Rest in peace, our friend.
Jennifer Kirby says:
July 2, 2022
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We send our deepest condolences. Jenni Kirby, Mary Antley, The Kalber Family and The Greek Trip Crew
Ret. Cpt. Ziggy Diggs says:
July 2, 2022
My heart goes out to Alicia’s family. I only got to know her briefly but could tell she had a since for adventure and a dire to serve. She was the first female member on CFEMS Scuba Rescue. I know it took heart and courage to face the challenges she endured in the fire and rescue community. And I admire her for that. Much respect Alicia. Job well done!
Jennifer Hairfield says:
July 2, 2022
As a member and friend to all at AMERICA Division with the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, her smile and contributions helping during drill when she wasn’t busy in her other roles and times when she was leading and teaching a search and rescue class with her dogs to our cadets will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
Greg and Mary Dreyer says:
July 2, 2022
Though we have now moved out of state, a part of our hearts will always remain in Virginia ! I have been praying for all of you since I got the news !
Alicia was such a special person , I thought there was nothing she couldn’t do ! And there was nothing she wouldn’t do to help someone !
RIP sweet , beautiful smiling lady , you made this world so much better !
You may be gone but you’ll never be forgotten and you have taught something to every person who was blessed to have known you !
🙏🙏🙏 to the family and friends