Captain Jess Grigg 
1965-2026
I am stunned and saddened to announce that my friend, and friend to so many ARFF professionals, Retired UPS Captain Jess Grigg, passed away this morning at his home in Louisiana.
I knew Jess for close to 20 years, since he started attending our ARFF Working Group conferences and sharing his story as the First Officer on UPS Flight 1307 and then working with UPS and the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) to establish their specialized ARFF training partnership, where UPS crews and IPA safety representatives conduct hands-on cargo aircraft familiarization and tactical rescue courses for municipal and airport fire departments across North America. Jess gave generously of his time and talents to assist firefighters and emergency responders in training for the unexpected. Through countless training exercises and emergency simulations, he played an important role in 
helping those who protect and rescue others prepare for the moments when preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Over the years, he became a trusted and dedicated friend to the firefighters, rescuers, and aviation community with whom he worked.
As a retired ARFF Training Instructor, I will forever be thankful to Jess for all he did to make ARFF personnel smarter, and therefore safer in their profession. We shared the same belief that the better the training, the better the chance of going home to your family after your shift. The respect and camaraderie he shared with all of us was a reflection of the kind of man he was—dependable, generous, humble, and always willing to lend a hand.
As a friend, I will remember him for his down-to-earth
conversations providing advice for ARFF related and personal matters, and his guidance and stories regarding our shared passion for flying and aviation.
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sherry and their daughter, Rachel on their loss. May they know that Jess made a difference!
May He Rest in Peace…