USFA: North Carolina Assistant Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.25.2013

Within 24 hours of responding to a motor vehicle accident on December 12th, Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Lee Fields, 51, suffered a heart attack. Jeffrey Lee Fields remained in the hospital and underwent heart bypass surgery on December 17, returning home on the 23rd where he passed away on December 25th, 2013.



Jeff is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lisa Buffaloe Fields; children, Emily & Brice Fields; sisters, Sue Anderson & husband Mark of Jackman, ME and Dawn Jones & husband Jerry of Rolesville; sisters-in-law, Amy Buffaloe Ontko of Youngsville and Kelly Buffaloe Arens & husband Pat of Fremont, WI; nieces & nephews, Mary Catherine Bridges, Jake Ontko, Hope, Holly & Hailey Arens, Summer Armstrong, Victoria Walker, Christopher Kearney, Tanner Jones, Austin Kearney and Eli & Zeke Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. "Bob" Mascaro and Ruth Heath Mascaro.

Our condolences to the Fields Family & Friends, the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected Assistant Fire Chief Jeffery Lee Fields' passing.

To date, 101 firefighter fatalities 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: New Jersey Fire Police Lieutenant LODD: On-Duty Death 12.23.2013

Fire Police Lieutenant David Lidke, 51, on December 23,2013 at 1430hrs, having just returned to the station from working scene safety at two residential structure fires, Fire Police Lieutenant Lidke suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while directing traffic to assist apparatus back into quarters. The nature and cause of Lidke’s fatal injury is still to be determined.

Our condolences to the Lidke Family & Friends, the Hightstown Engine Company #1 and to all affected Fire Police Lieutenant David Lidker's passing.

To date, 100 firefighter fatalities 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 12.18.2013

On the morning of December 18, 2013, Firefighter Jon F. Schondelmayer, 44, was working with Swift Creek Fire Department as a firefighter when he begin to feel ill.  He communicated to his crew at approximately 1130hrs that he was going to go home to get some medicine and return to the station.  His crew became concerned when he left and called him on his cell phone to check to see how he was doing.  At the same time, a Swift Creek firefighter was sent to his residence.  While on the telephone, Jon Schondelmayer communicated that he did not feel well and needed assistance.  When the other Swift Creek firefighter arrived at the residence, he found Firefighter Schondelmayer unresponsive. Don Schondelmayer's fellow responder began rendering medical aid and contacted his company at Swift Creek for assistance. Emergency responders worked for 50 minutes to try to revive Firefighter Schondelmayer but he passed away from a nature and cause of injury still to be determined and reported. Firefighter Schondelmayer was also a Fire Captain with the Cary Fire Department, North Carolina, and had just come off of a busy shift with Cary that included several emergency response runs before beginning duty that day with the Swift Creek Rural Fire Department.

Our condolences to the Schondelmayer Family & Friends, the Swift Creek Rural Fire Department and to all affected Firefighter Jon F. Schondelmayer's passing.

To date, 99 firefighter fatalities 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: Ohio Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.15.2013

Fire Chief John J. Wayman Sr., 69, on December 15, 2013 passed away from an apparent heart attack within 24 hours of working with his fire department at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a truck and train at a railroad crossing.
  
John J. Wayman Sr. is survived by his wife, Phyllis, a son, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Our condolences to the Wayman Family & Friends, the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief John J. Wayman Sr.'s passing.

To date, 98 firefighter fatalities 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: Virginia Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 12.14.2013

On December 14, 2013 at 1444hrs., while responding to the fire station for an alarm, Firefighter Joshua Smith, 25, was killed from injuries sustained when the privately owned vehicle he was operating left the roadway and crashed. Investigation of the fatal accident continues by local and state authorities.

Our condolences to the Smith Family & Friends, the LaCrosse Volunteers Fire Department, and to all affected Firefighter Joshua T. Smith's passing.

To date, 97 firefighter fatalities 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: Georgia Fire Lieutenant LODD: On-Duty Death 12.15.2013

On December 12, 2013 at 0020hrs, crews were performing overhaul operations on a residential structure fire when the ceiling collapsed trapping Fire Lieutenant Jeff Little, 50. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated and Fire Lt. Little was transported to the Mayo Clinic of Waycross where he succumbed to injuries sustained in the collapse. According to fire department officials, the fire has been ruled intentionally set and Fire Lieutenant Jeff Little’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

Our condolences to the Little Family & Friends, the Waycross Fire Department, and to all affected Lieutenant Jeff Little's passing.

To date, 96 firefighter fatalities 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: Ohio Firefighter/Mayor LODD: On-Duty Death 12.15.2013

On December 12, 2013, after returning to the station from working a residential fire call, Firefighter Terry Richard "Dick" Guss, Sr., 72, slipped and fell from the running board of an engine striking his head on the apparatus bay floor. According to reports, Firefighter Guss was transported to the hospital alert and in little pain. Terry Richard "Dick" Guss, who also was the mayor, was initially talking and in little pain when he was transported to the hospital, stated Chief Norm Mansfield of the South Zanesville Fire Department. While at the hospital Terry Richard Guss’ condition worsened and he was transferred to ICU then underwent surgery to address pressure on the brain from bleeding. In spite of best efforts from fellow first responders and medical personnel at the hospital, Firefighter Guss succumbed to his injuries passing away on Sunday, December 15th.

Our condolences to the Guss Family & Friends, the South Zanesville Fire Department, and to all affected Firefighter Terry Richard "Dick" Guss', Sr. passing.

To date, 95 firefighter fatalities 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: Minnesota Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.09.2013

On December 9, 2013 at 0003hrs, Chief Matthew Charles Frantz, 42 passed away from an apparent heart attack within 24 hours of responding to his fire station for a mutual aid fire call. 

Our condolences to the Pierson Family & Friends, the Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief Matthew Charles Frantz's passing.

Matthew Charles Frantz is survived by his wife, Jennifer; daughters Kirsten (Austin Hansen) and Madeline; mother Linda Quade of Duluth; father Timothy Frantz (Sharon Field) of Duluth; mother- and father-in-law, Lauralie and Rick Heckman of Superior; siblings Jason and Dawn Frantz and Eric and Tammy Frantz, all of Duluth, Adam and Tricia Frantz of Blaine, Minn., April Williams (Dan Thomas) of Superior; Roddi and Ryan Turgeson of Cameron, Wis., Nathaniel and Heather Khalar of Duluth and Casey Heckman of Superior; nieces and nephews Molly, Tyler, Ian, Josslyn, Grace, Addie, Elizabeth, Hailie, Aiden, Aaron, Cashton, Michael, Meg, Miley, Destiny and Brianna; great-nephew Lukas; and several cousins and many other relatives and friends.

To date, 94 firefighter fatalities 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: West Virginia Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.07.2013

On December 7, 2013 at 0530hrs, after responding to the fire station for the report of a motor vehicle accident, Fire Chief Charles A. Pierson suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while boarding the first due apparatus. Although fellow responders came to his aid, Chief Pierson passed away in the fire station from a nature of injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Pierson Famiily & Friends, the Southern Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief Russell Gow's passing.
  
To date, 93  firefighter fatalities 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.)