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.)