Firefighter Nate Fruin, 22, was responding to a structure fire on February 26, 2013 at 1830hrs, when he fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Shortly after leaving the station, Firefighter Fruin's partner, who was driving, called to report the medical emergency. He then pulled over to the side of the road, and according to reports, Firefighter Fruin went into cardiac arrest. Other responding firefighters stopped and rendered aid, but Firefighter Fruin succumbed to his injury.
Our condolences to the Fruin Family & Friends, the Mattawan Fire District and to all affected by Firefighter Nate Frun's passing. To date, 7 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online atU.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
A short time after responding to and fighting a brush fire on Sunday evening, February 24, 2013, at 1702hrs Firefighter Schnepp, 43, passed away from a cause still to be determined. The Carters Valley Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire at 5:02 p.m. Sunday, and Fire Chief Mike Yates said firefighter Schnepp died sometime after that call ended. Firefighter Schnepp had been with the Carters Valley Volunteer Fire Department for about three years, and previously served with the Lakeview, Bulls Gap and Striggersville fire departments, and served more than 20 years. Our condolences to the Schnepp Family & Friends, the Carters Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter David Schnepp's passing. To date, 6 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online atU.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
Fire Police Officer Claudia Sokol, 55, on Thursday 02/22/2013 at 1155hrs suffered a medical emergency while on traffic control duties at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the Borough and passed away the next day on Friday evening. Immediate medical attention was provided by members of Diligence FC, the Lansford FD as well as Lehighton ALS and Lansford BLS. Fire Police Officer Sokol was transported to St. Luke's Miners Hospital in Coaldale and then flown to St. Luke's in Bethlehem. Fire Police Officer Claudia Sokol was with the Diligence Fire Company No. 1, Summit Hill, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, and leaves behind her husband David and family.
Our condolences to the Sokol Family & Friends, the Diligence Fire Company No. 1, and to all affected by Fire Police Officer Claudia Sokol's passing. To date, 5 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. (The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
Lieutenant Gregory Parkard, 54, on February 16, 2013 at 2320hrs, while battling a blaze at a Knights of Columbus Hall, was notified by radio of a trapped firefighter inside the structure, low on air. Lieutenant Parkard, accompanied by two other firefighters, entered the building to rescue Lieutenant Wallace. During the rescue, the roof collapsed. Lieutenant Wallace died at the scene and Lieutenant Parkard was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. Both firefighters died from burns sustained in the collapse. The two other firefighters involved are in stable but serious condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Our condolences to the Parkard Family & Friends, the Bryan Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Gregory Parkard's passing. To date, 4 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
Lieutenant Eric Wallace, 36, on February 16, 2013 at 2320hrs, while battling a blaze at a Knights of Columbus Hall, became trapped inside the structure. He notified others on the scene by radio, stating he was low on air. Lieutenant Parkard, accompanied by two other firefighters, entered the building to rescue Lieutenant Wallace. During the rescue, the roof collapsed. Lieutenant Wallace died at the scene and Lieutenant Parkard was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. Both firefighters died from burns sustained in the collapse. The two other firefighters involved are in stable but serious condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Our condolences to the Wallace Family & Friends, the Bryan Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Eric Wallace's passing. To date, 3 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. (The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
Firefighter Jonathan Wayne Burgess, 33, of the South Alabama Regional Airport Fire Department on January 8, 2013, at 17:36 hrs., passed away from an apparent heart attack while performing safety checks on the runway at the South Alabama Regional Airport. OFD Chief Joey Williams said, “He was a big guy with a big heart. He loved children, and he worked well with kids when they came over for fire prevention week each year. He was a kind-hearted person and very humble. He was always willing to help or reach out to others."
“Captain Burgess is going to be missed,” Williams said. “He was a loving person and he had the kind of personality that he wanted you to know he was there for you. It’s going to be a long, sad time until we can pick back up." Burgess is survived by his wife, Carrie Lord Burgess. Our condolences to the Burgess Family & Friends, the South Alabama Regional Airport Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Jonathan Burgess's passing.
