On September 8, 2014 the Byram Township Fire Department responded to an activated fire alarm incident. Firefighter Richard Choate, 68, responded and drove the tanker/tender apparatus to the scene, where he stood-by while personnel investigated. The fire department cleared the scene shortly thereafter, and he fueled the apparatus upon returning to quarters. Members later reported that Richard Choate appeared tired, but did not express any complaints. Approximately 5 hours later, he was found unresponsive inside his personal vehicle, which had run off the road into a wooded area. Police and EMS responded, finding him in cardiac arrest. Firefighter Richard Choate was transported to a local hospital with CPR and AED use in progress. Richard Choate was subsequently pronounced deceased at 1303 hours.
To date, 60 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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.)
