USFA: West Virginia Firefighter/Chaplain LODD: On-Duty Death 06.24.2013

Firefighter/Chaplain John Applton, 62, of the Malden Volunteer Fire Department, West Virginia on June 24, 2013 at 1500hrs., died after collapsing on the job Monday afternoon. Firefighter/Chaplain John T. Appleton was helping fight a fire at a house on Happy Hollow Road in Sissonville when he collapsed. Firefighter/Chaplain John Appleton went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital, but did not survive. Firefighter/Chaplain Appleton had been with the department for seven years and also served as a pastor at the Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church in Malden. The family who lived at the mobile home was not there when fire broke out.

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Our condolences to the Appleton Family & Friends, the Malden Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/Chaplain John Appeton's passing. 

To date, 43 firefighter fatality have 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: Rhode Island Assistant Chief LODD: On-Duty Death

Assistant Chief Edward C. Vanner, Jr. of the 143rd Fire & Emergency Services - Quonset ANG Base R.I. on June 17, 2013 at 2000hrs., was found by a fellow firefighter in his office unconscious and unresponsive. Assistant Chief Vanner was transported to Kent Hospital where despite the best efforts of EMTs and doctors from the 143d FES, North Kingstown Fire Department, and Kent Hospital, Edward C. Vanner Jr. passed away from an apparent heart attack.

Our condolences to the Vanner Family & Friends, the 143rd Fire & Emergency Services - Quonset ANG Base R.I., and to all affected by Assistant Chief Edward C. Vanner Jr passing. 

To date, 42 firefighter fatality have 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: Two Line of Duty Deaths (LODD): On-Duty Death 06.18.2013

USFA: Georgia On-Duty Death LODD: On-Duty Death 06.18.2013

Firefighter Katrina Sims, 24, of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department on June 18, 2013, was found deceased while on duty in the fire station. Investigation into the circumstances related to the death is underway by authorities.

Our condolences to the Sims Family & Friends, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Katrina Sims's passing. 

To date, 41 firefighter fatality have 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. 

USFA: New York Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 06.18.2013

Firefighter Thomas Burley, 20, of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company on June 18, 2013 at about 2100hrs, while returning from fire department mandated training at the Niagara County Public Safety Training Facility, while traveling on Route 93, near Church Road in Cambria was involved in a motor vehicle crash. Firefighter Burley died from injuries sustained when his privately owned vehicle was involved in the accident. Thomas Burley was rushed to Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was ruled as trauma from injuries sustained in the wreck.



Our condolences to the Burley Family & Friends, the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Thomas Burley's passing. 

To date, 40 firefighter fatality have 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: North Carolina Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 06.13.2013

Firefighter Tony Barker, 36, of the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department on June 13, 2013 at 1500hrs, responded to where wind from a storm in the Wilkes County, NC, area blew part of a maple tree across power lines igniting a fire in a small structure. A witness said that Firefighter Barker, one of the first to arrive at the scene, was bending over to look more closely where the fire was coming from and was less than 3 feet away from the structure when he collapsed. While witnesses said they never saw Barker touch the structure, the electricity from the power lines on the structure likely moved through the building and unpaved ground, electrocuting Firefighter Barker. Reports indicate that the ground was saturated with rainwater which helped conduct the electricity. Other firefighters were able to pull Firefighter Barker away from the structure. Efforts to revive Tony Barker with CPR, however, were unsuccessful. Firefighter Barker was pronounced dead at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Our condolences to the Baker Family & Friends, the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Tony Baker's passing. 

To date, 39 firefighter fatality have 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.)

California Smokejumper/Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 06.10.2013

California Governor Jerry Brown Issues Statement on Death of Smokejumper/Firefighter Luke Sheehy:

“Anne and I were saddened to learn of the death of Firefighter Luke Sheehy, a young man who devoted his life to protecting his fellow Californians. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Firefighter Luke Sheehy, 28, of Susanville, was fatally injured by a section of a falling tree at the scene of a lightning-sparked wildland fire in the Modoc National Forest 15 miles southeast of the community of Alturas. 

Firefighter Sheehy was a member of the California Smokejumpers, an airborne firefighting unit of the United States Forest Service based in Redding, California. Prior to his career with the United States Forest Service, he served 5 seasons as a firefighter for CAL FIRE. 

In honor of Firefighter Sheehy, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell stated:

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this brave young smokejumper who lost his life yesterday working with his team to control a blaze on the Modoc National Forest. We are launching a full review into the cause of his death to learn everything we can to prevent future tragedies like this.”

Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore echoed Chief Tidwell's setntiments:

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. It's a devastating loss and is felt throughout the entire Forest Service."

Smokejumper and Firefighter Luke Sheehy, a member of the California Smokejumpers, on June 10, 2013 at 1655hrs, was struck by a tree while operating on the Saddle Back Fire in the Modoc National Forest. Firefighter Sheehy was treated by fellow firefighters and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Altura, Californa, but succumbed to his injuries.
  
Our condolences to the Sheehy Family & Friends, the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, and to all affected by Smokejumper/Firefighter Luke Sheehy's passing. 
  
To date, 38 firefighter fatality have 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.)

A Good & Enjoyable Grilling Season Begins With Fire Safety

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling and therefore it is one of the most popular ways to cook food during the summertime. Approximately thirty-three percent of home grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch.

The Summer grilling season is the perfect time to gather with friends and family, in a laid-back atmosphere where formal attire is forgotten in favor of flip flops and T-shirts. But as relaxed as a backyard barbecue can be, it also can quickly turn into a potentially dangerous or unhealthy situation, especially when the trusted grill master doesn’t take the following safety precautions regarding his grill and the foods he’s preparing.

The Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention blog wants to remind everyone that will be grilling this Summer of the importance of grilling safely in order to avoid a summertime tragedy.

It's that time of the year when many families and members of our community will be grilling outdoors. By following a few safety precautions burn injuries, fires, and other emergency situations can be prevented.

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Before you fire up the grill The National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration is reminding everyone to remember to be fire safe about grilling and remember to use & practice fire safety when grill at the BBQ this summer.

The experts say, only use propane and charcoal grills outside and never leave them unattended. Also, remember to keep pets and children away from the barbecue area and make sure you check your propane tank hose for leaks before using the grill and to let coals cook completely if you use charcoal to cook.

Grilling safety tips are easy to keep in mind when cooking out this summer, remember "Be Fire Safe, Be Fire Wise, LearnNot To Burn!"




(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.)

4 Houston Firefighters LODD: On-Duty Death 05.31.2013

Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, 35, 11 years of service, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001. In addition to Fire Station 68, he served out of stations 51, 39, 83, 73, 37, 60 and 35.

Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, 41,  11 years of service, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in August of 2001. In addition to Fire Station 51, he served out of Stations 37, 40, 10 and 48.

Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, 29, 3 years of service, of Station 68. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2010 and has served out of Fire Station 68 since.

Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, 4 months of service, of Station 68. She graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy this past April and was assigned to Fire Station 68.

The Houston Fire Department responded on May 31, 2013 to a structure fire at 6855 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX. While battling the blaze, the roof of the motel collapsed, trapping four  firefighters in burning debris. All four firefighters perished.
   
Our condolences to the Renaud Family & Friends, the Bebee Family & Friends, the Garner Family & Friends, the Sullivan Family & Friends, the Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Matthew Renaud's, Engineer Operator Robert Bebee's, Firefighter Robert Garner's, and Firefighter Anne Sullivan passings.     

To date, number 34, 35, 36, 37 firefighter fatality have 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.)