USFA LODD: Wisconsin Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.25.2017

Firefighter Terrance “Terry” Edward Shafer, 62, On February 24, 2017 at 1345hrs responded with other members of his department to a motor vehicle crash incident. Soon after departing, they were advised to cancel and returned to the station. Later that evening, Firefighter Shafer fell ill at a family cabin in Minnesota. Firefighter Shafer was treated and transported by EMS to a hospital in Melrose, MN, but passed away early the following morning on February 25, 2017 from a nature and cause of fatal injury to be determined. 

  
Our condolences to the Shafer Family & Friends, Spring Valley Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Terrance “Terry” Edward Shafer's passing.    

To date, 16 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Michigan Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.25.2017

On  February 25, 2017 at 1049hrs Firefighter/EMT Ronald Savage, 63, died after suffering a cardiac issue during a search and rescue training exercise with the Milford Fire Department. Ronald Savage, a Milford resident, is survived by his wife Mitzi; his teen son Ronald Jr.; sisters Pat Murphy of Lansing and Elizabeth Savage; brothers Tom and Dave; and nieces and nephews. 

  
Our condolences to the Savage Family & Friends, Milford Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/EMT Ronald Savage's passing.    

To date, 15 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Iowa Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.24.2017

Firefighter James Franciskovich, 52. on February 24 at 1805hrs, succumbed to injuries sustained when the fire department vehicle he was a passenger in lost control on an ice and snow covered roadway then crashed, coming to a rest on its top. Firefighter Franciskovich, who was reported to have not been wearing seat restraints, was ejected from the vehicle.  Two other firefighters traveling with Firefighter Franciskovich to the State Fire School in Ames, Iowa, were reported to have been wearing seat restraints and received only minor injuries in the crash.

  
Our condolences to the Franciskovich Family & Friends, West Burlington Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter James Franciskovich's passing.    

To date, 14 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Oklahoma Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.22.2017

On  February 22, 2017 at 0730hrs while responding to a structure fire, Firefighter Michael Dale "Mike" Russell, 68, died from injuries sustained when he lost control of the fire apparatus he was driving and crashed. According to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the vehicle rolled 1.5 times, ejecting and pinning Firefighter Russell beneath the tanker. Seat restraints were installed in the vehicle but not in use at the time of the crash.

  
Our condolences to the Russell Family & Friends, Leach Volunteer  Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Michael Dale "Mike" Russell's passing.    

To date, 13 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Arizona Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.18.2017

Captain Crystal Rezzonico, 56, succumbed to injuries suffered on August 10, 2009 at 1830hrs when the apparatus she was riding while responding to an incident was struck in an intersection by a passenger vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Captain Rezzonico was ejected from the apparatus upon impact and landed headfirst, suffering a severe traumatic brain injury and broken ankles. Captain Rezzonico was in a coma for nearly two weeks, endured multiple surgeries, and years of rehabilitation prior to her passing on February 18, 2017.

  
Our condolences to the Rezzonico Family & Friends, Phoenix Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Crystal Rezzonico's passing.    

To date, 12 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Mississippi Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.14.2017

On  February 14, 2017 at 1645hrs, Fire Chief Bill Matthews was found unconscious in the driver’s seat of the fire apparatus he was operating on the scene of a brush fire working to protect a nearby church.  According to news reports, when another firefighter on a hoseline asked the Chief to reposition the apparatus, there was no response. Fire Chief Mathews was immediately removed from the truck, given CPR, and then transported to Jefferson Davis Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. According to a statement from the Coroner, the nature of fatal injury was a massive heart attack.

  
Our condolences to the Matthews Family & Friends, Bassfield Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Bill Matthews’ passing.    

To date, 10 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Iowa Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.11.2017

Fire Engineer Douglas McCauley, 59, suffered a significant medical event while on duty Friday, February 10th. Engineer McCauley was treated and transported by fellow firefighters and paramedics from the scene to Iowa Methodist Unity Point where he succumbed to his injury the following morning on February 11, 2017 at 1039hrs.. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined.

  
Our condolences to the McCauley Family & Friends, Des Moines Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Engineer Douglas McCauley’s passing.    

To date, 09 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. Yea-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 LODD: New York Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.06.2017

Firefighter Ethan Cunningham, 47, was found on February 6, 2017 deceased at home by a family member several hours after completing his shift at the fire department. During his shift, Firefighter Cunningham responded to one emergency call and participated in strenuous hose drill training. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined.

  
Our condolences to the Cunningham Family & Friends, Syracuse Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Ethan Cunningham’s passing.    

To date, 08 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Illinois Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.08.2017

On  February 7, 2017 at 2345hrs while returning home from the station after working with his fire department on a motor vehicle accident response call, Firefighter John Michael “Mike” Cummins, 46, who had complained at the station of not feeling well, suffered a fatal medical injury, the nature of which is still to be reported, crashing into three parked cars as the privately owned vehicle he operated came to a stop. A passenger in the vehicle, a fellow firefighter, was not reported to have been seriously injured.

  
Our condolences to the Cummins Family & Friends, Homer Fire Protection District, and to all affected by Firefighter John Michael “Mike” Cummins’ passing.    

To date, 07 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: Wisconsin Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.04.2017

On  February 4, 2017 at 1625hrs, Firefighter Ryan Thomas Moyer, 31, was operating his privately owned vehicle on fire department business when it was involved in a single vehicle crash taking his life. The cause of crash remains under investigation. Two other firefighters were passengers in the vehicle at the time, one of whom was treated and released, and the other admitted to a Milwaukee hospital but is reported to be doing well. The firefighters had been putting up posters and collecting donations for a fire department fundraiser and were thought to be enroute to a fire department banquet at the time of the crash.

  
Our condolences to the Moyer Family & Friends, Waldo Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Ryan Thomas Moyer’s passing.    

To date, 06 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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 LODD: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 01.18.2017

Captain Daniel Havicus, 41, fell ill during his shift on January 8, 2017. He continued to feel ill and called in sick prior to his next shift. His condition worsened causing Captain Havicus to be admitted to the hospital on January 16, 2017, and subsequently transported to Stanford Hospital where he passed away on January 18, 2017.

  
Our condolences to the Havicus Family & Friends, Tracy Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Captain Daniel Havicus’s passing.    

To date, 05 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. 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.)