Anchorage firefighter critically injured in fall from 100-foot ladder is back on the job with AFD

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Tuesday marked the first day back on the job full-time for firefighter Ben Schultz, who said he is excited to once again be doing work that he loves. But it hasn’t been an easy journey.

Schultz, who was born and raised in Anchorage, was first hired by the Anchorage Fire Department in 2011.

In 2017, Schultz fell from a 100-foot ladder during a training exercise which left him critically injured. There was concern he wouldn’t survive.

Unable to breathe on his own, he was in a coma for weeks and suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the beginning, it was a blur — he doesn’t have many memories of that time.

“I basically have a gap of any memories where I was still in a semi-vegetative state,” Schultz explained. “Even though I would have moments where I was lucid ... so I had to repetitively question, ‘What happened? Why are we not in Anchorage?’ So there is a gap.”

What Schultz does remember is the many months of hard work during his recovery. He was out of state for an entire year, first at a hospital in Colorado and then at a facility in Nebraska where he relearned basic living skills.

Schultz has had several jobs since returning to the state, including a temporary one with the fire department as an administrative assistant where he was let go in 2021 because of budget cuts. He’s also worked two state jobs.

Schultz’s new role at the Anchorage Fire Department is more in keeping with his skills as a firefighter and paramedic.

“So in a nutshell, I’ll be working with the team at the Anchorage Fire Regional Training Center coordinating EMS and fire training for on-duty crews throughout the Anchorage Fire Department,” he said.

Battalion Chief James Dennis is among those who are excited to see Schultz back on the job full-time.

“He just has a vast knowledge and experience that he can bring to the line again, and really just bring that energy back to our training,” Dennis said.

Schultz’s two children, who live in Fairbanks, and his wife Carly of two and a half years are also happy to see Schultz back on the job.

“It’s just a really great next step, next chapter in his life,” Carly Schultz said. “And coming back home to AFD has been a huge goal of his ever since I’ve known him.”

“I’m grateful for this new opportunity to serve the community of Anchorage and looking forward to the work we do here,” Schultz said, adding it felt good to be home.

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