Veteran Dallas Fire Rescue Officer On-Duty Death

Fire Rescue Officer Stanley A. Wilson, 51, died on May 20, 2013 at 0252hrs of injuries sustained in a multi-unit residential structure fire. Fire Oofficer Wilson became caught and trapped when a portion of the condominium unit in which he was operating collapsed. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by authorities.

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said of Wilson, "he's a hero. As I told his boys, they should be very proud."

Stanley A. Wilson is survived by a wife and two sons.      

Our condolences to the Harper Family & Friends, the Phoenix Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Brad Harper's passing.     

To date, 33 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.)

Phoenix Firefighter On-Duty Death

Firefighter Brad Harper, on May 18, 2013 at 1720hrs was pinned between two fire department vehicles at the scene of an outside fire.  Firefighter Harper was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital by other firefighters but did not survive succumbing to his injury on May 19, 2013.




Our condolences to the Harper Family & Friends, the Phoenix Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Brad Harper's passing. 
     
To date, 32 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.)

Tacoma, Washington Firefighter On-Duty Death

Firefighter Albert A. Nejmeh on May 14, 2013 at 1155hrs, while working at the scene of an EMS incident, collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Fellow responders rendered basic and advanced life support to firefighter Nejmeh and transported him to St. Joseph Medical Center where, despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Albert A. Nejmeh succumbed to his injury.  
      
Our condolences to the Nejmeh Family & Friends, the Tacoma Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Albert A. Nejmeh's passing. 
     
To date, 31 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.)

Montgomery County PA. Fire Injuries Firefighters

Fire crews were dispatched just before 12:30 p.m. to areported structral fire at 58 Reiffs Mill Road in Ambler Boro, Montgomery County  Pennsylvania on Monday May, 13 2013. 

The fire extended into numerous void spaces on the second floor. Several firefighters were caught in a flash over on the second floor.  Two Firefighters were transported to the hospital. One firefighter suffered a laceration while another  firefighter was rushed to Abington Hospital for treatment. There was no immediate word on that firefighter's condition. The firefighter with  laceration injury was out of the hospital by 5:00 p.m. 

The Red Cross is also on the scene and says a family of seven has been affected by the fire.

Fire officials say the fire was placed under control at about 3:45 p.m.

There is no word on a cause.

(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.)

Pottsville Pennsylvania - 6 Die In Late-Night Fire

6 Die After Late-Night Fire In Pottsville - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

The Pottsville house, in eastern Pennsylvania,  where four children and two adults died in a raging fire lacked smoke detectors and had a wood stove lit late Sunday to ward off the unseasonable chill.


The Schuylkill County Communications Center said the fire was reported at 11:55 p.m Sunday. The structral blaze broke Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the single-family home in Pottsville, about 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania's coal country. 


Firefighters later found the bodies inside, according to Schuylkill County emergency dispatch supervisor Bill Lindenmuth.






Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March said he's only had two fire in his 37-year career with multiple deaths, and in both of those cases it was two.

"We've had nothing like this before," March said. "A lot of the younger guys haven't had a fire death. A lot of the guys are affected by this, especially the kids."


The fire crews got water in the fire immediately, March said, but within five minutes the entire front of the building was engulfed in flames.


"The neighbors smelled smoke, including the mother, and they came out to see what was going on, and they just saw it, you know, heavily involved in the back of the building, a lot of smoke coming out the front," March said.


"It looks like it started back in the kitchen area. We're going to look at that, see if it has something to do with it," March said. "The floors are burnt out in a lot of places, so we've got to watch what we're doing in there."



 



The fire was declared under control shortly before 1am. 

Several firefighters were also reportedly injured while battling the flames.  

A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal was at the scene Monday morning. 

The cause of the blaze wasn't immediately known.









(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.)

Firefighters Battle Fire At South Side Easton Home

Firefighters were dispatched when a fire started in a South Side Easton, Pennsylvania two-story home Friday evening, at 7:50 p.m., at 1074 W. Wilkes-Barre St. The structural fire forced an evacuation and badly damaged the second floor.





Easton station 20 was dispatched at 19:53 hours for a reported house fire with possible entrapment at 1074 W. Wilkes-Barre Street. Arrival of the first due engine reported fire in the eaves of a 2.5-story duplex. A woman was reported to be in the home when the fire started, but was out by the the time firefighters arrived. The fire attack went defensive shortly after arrival.





"Everything just exploded out," said Smith, who lives next to 1072 and 1074 W. Wilkes Barre St. in Easton.

Firefighters from at least three communities -- Easton, Wilson Borough and Bethlehem -- responded while Palmer Township covered Easton's Central Fire Station and Forks Township covered the College Hill station.

Easton Deputy Fire Chief John Price reported, Firefighters were sent into the building at first but were ordered out because it wasn't safe. It wasn't until almost 10 p.m. that flames were no longer visible from outside the home.

No one was injured but the fire burned so hot that the home's windows exploded.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr., who lives on South Side was at the scene of the fire and said, “That’s the most important thing. Buildings can be replaced, people can’t.”




(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.)

USFA: Michigan On-Duty Death 05.08.2013

Mayor Wild later released the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our Westland firefighters who died in the line of duty this morning. He dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Wayne and Westland and this is a terrible loss for the firefighter’s family and our entire community. This tragedy is a reminder to us all of the sacrifice that firefighters make along with their family and friends every single day.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends, as well as the first responders of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department, who are mourning the loss of fellow firefighter, Brian Woehlke. Woehlke, 29, a Dearborn resident who was married and the father of one, had been a member of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department for 10 months. We are forever appreciative for the brave men and women of the Wayne-Westland Fire Department who put their lives on the line every day.”

Firefighter Brian Woehlke, 29, on May 8, 2013 at 0900hrs, passed away from injuries sustained in a commercial structure fire at a strip mall. Firefighter Woehlke was caught and trapped when the roof of the structure collapsed. Initial reports indicate that a Mayday call was made shortly after the collapse. Further details regarding the incident are pending and it remains under investigation by authorities.       

Our condolences to the Woehlke Family & Friends, the Westland Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Brian Woehlke's passing.


To date, 30 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.)

USA Firefighter Fatality Notification 05.07.2013

Assistant Fire Chief Stanley Martin Jr., 71, May 6, 2013 at 0236hrs, fell ill while working at the scene of a residential structure fire. While aid was being rendered to Assistant Fire Chief Martin by fellow firefighters, he went into cardiac arrest. Assistant Fire Chief Martin was transported to the hospital by ambulance but passed away from a nature of injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Martin Family & Friends, the Springfield Volunteer Fire Company and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Stanley Martin Jr.'s passing.

To date, 29 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. 

Firefighter Davidson, 26, on May 5, 2013, was working on project work near Mayhill, NM, with two other engine crew members when he collapsed.  CPR was administered immediately.  However, when emergency personnel responded with the Life Flight helicopter, Daniel Davidson was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The nature and cause of Davidson’s fatal injury remain under investigation.

Our condolences to the Davidson Family & Friends, the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest and to all affected by Firefighter Daniel Davidson's passing.

To date, 28 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.)

Multiple Fire Crews Battle Large Building Fire in Palmyra, New York

Multiple fire departments responded to a downtown Palmyra, New York  building fire on East Main Street.          
   
The fire appears to have started Friday afternoon around 3 p.m on the third floor, according to Joanne Lee, owner of Goldy's Goodies, a thrift shop on the first floor of the building.      

A witness said the fire appeared to be small when it started, and then spread quickly to the entire building. The witness also said that he saw a firefighter carry someone out of the building.  
   
According to the Red Cross, nine people have been displaced because of the blaze.

(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.)

McConnell AFB KC-135 Tanker Crashes In Kyrgyzstan

Spokane, North Idaho News


An American military refueling plane carrying three crew members crashed Friday in the rugged mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the Central Asian nation where the U.S. operates an air base key to the war in Afghanistan.

The plane was a KC-135 from McConnell Air Force Base's 22nd Air Refueling Wing in  Wichita, Kansas. Reports from  the U.S. Air Force stated the three member crew was from Fairchild Air Force Base located in  Spokane, Washington.

The plane crashed at 2:55 p.m. near Chaldovar, a village 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of the U.S. Transit Center at Manas base outside the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Pieces of the plane, including its tail, were scattered across in a grassy field bordered by mountains; the air was infused with the heavy stench of fuel.

The plane was on a refueling mission for Afghanistan war operations at the time of the crash.

The front section of the aircraft has not yet been found, Kyrgyz Emergencies Minister Kubatbek Boronov told The Associated Press. He said searchers also have not found the flight recorders from the plane, which was badly burned in the crash.

The search for the crew will resume Saturday morning and the crash site will remain under guard, Boronov said.





(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.)

USFA: Maryland On-Duty Death 05.02.2013

Firefighter Gene Kirchner of Towson, Maryland, 24, passed away from injuries sustained at the scene of a working residential fire on April 24, 2013 at 0100hrs. Firefighter Kirchner was one of the first to respond to the residential fire on Hanover Road, and was found unconscious on the second floor  and rescued by fellow firefighters on the second floor of the structure after he had reportedly issued a Mayday call. A resident of the home, who did not survive the fire, had also been found and removed from the burning structure by firefighters.  Investigation into the fatal fire continues by authorities.        

Statement released by the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company:      
   
"It is with deep sorrow and regret that the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company announces the line of duty passing of Firefighter Gene Kirchner.  Gene succumbed to his injures after an 8 day fight.  He sustained critical injuries while he was performing a search on a dwelling fire April 24, 2013.   Gene is a 9 year member of our company and was a junior fire fighter for 2 years. A full fire department funeral will be scheduled."         

Our condolences to the Kirchner Family & Friends, the Baltimore County Fire Department - Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company and to all affected by Firefighter Gene Kirchner's passing.   To date, 27 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.)

USFA: Alabama On-Duty Death 04.29.2013

Firefighter Dale Scott Queen, 37, on April 29, 2013 at 1830hrs, became ill while working a call of an explosion in the area. Aid was rendered to Firefighter Queen by fellow responders and he was transported to the hospital but succumbed from a type of injury still  to be reported.

His cause of death is unknown, although it was not related to the search for potential explosives in the woods on Ironman Road near Alabama 36, said Oak Ridge Fire Chief Stephen Maples.

"Dale was as good a man as you would find," Chief Maples said. "He was there if you needed him. All you had to do was call him. Dale loved helping people."  

Dale Scott Queen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their sons, Tanner, 14; Dakota, 13; and Avery, 9.

Our condolences to the Queen Family & Friends, the Oak Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Dale Scott Queen's passing.


To date, 26 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.)