USFA LODD: Missouri Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.29.2017

On May 29,2017 Firefighter Jesse Ketchum, 33, was responding to an outdoor (field) fire call when the fire apparatus he was operating crashed while negotiating a curve and overturned several times, ejecting Ketchum and a passenger in the vehicle. Firefighter Ketchum died at the scene from injuries sustained and the passenger, John Chancellor, was treated and flown to the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, with serious injuries. According to initial reports, seat belts were not in use at the time of the crash.

Our condolences to the Ketchum Family & Friends, City of Memphis Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Jesse Ketchum’s passing. 
  

To date, 44 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 05.25.2017

Inmate Firefighter Matthew Beck, 26, was leading a crew clearing brush to contain a fire when a 120-foot tree uprooted and fell on him. Firefighter Beck suffered major head, neck, and back injuries. The remote location of the incident posed challenges for medical responders and before life-flight crews could get to him, Firefighter Beck passed away.

Our condolences to the Beck Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Firefighter Matthew Beck’s passing.  
          

To date, 43 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 05.20.2017

On May 18, 2017, Fire Engineer Brian Massey, 56 started a 48-hour shift by participating in a wildland firefighting class which included strenuous simulation training, causing him to vigorously exert himself. At 0800hrs on May 20, 2017, Massey completed his shift which, in addition to the wildland firefighting training, included several emergency response calls. Later that day, while at home, Brian Massey suffered a significant medical event. Fire Engineer Brian Massey was transported to a local hospital where he died of a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.

Our condolences to the Massey Family & Friends, Kern County Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Engineer Brian Massey’s passing. 

 

To date, 42 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: Georgia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.23.2017

Firefighter Darrell Lavon Plank, 29, died in the hospital several days after suffering a traumatic brain injury while at the scene of a working residential structure fire near Montezuma, GA, on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

According to initial reports, Firefighter Plank was donning protective gear when the accident occurred.  As other firefighters were setting up a hose line, the fire hose snagged on a truck, causing a coupling to strike Plank in the head knocking him to the ground. 

Firefighter Plank was treated at the scene and rushed to the hospital where a CT scan showed he had suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain. Firefighter Plank later underwent surgery, but succumbed to his injury on the evening of May 23, 2017.

 

Our condolences to the Plank Family & Friends, Macon County Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Darrell Lavon Plank’s passing.   

To date, 41 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: Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.19.2017

On May 19, 2017  Firefighter Roger Dale Johns, 63, was struck and killed by a backing piece of fire apparatus at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. Initial reports indicate that Firefighter Johns was acting as a ground-guide while the apparatus was backing up to block the roadway and protect the scene. Investigation into the fatal accident continues by authorities.

  
Our condolences to the Johns Family & Friends, Eagle Rock Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Roger Dale Johns’ passing.  

To date, 40 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: Georgia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.18.2017

On May 18, 2017 several hours after answering an emergency response call during his normally scheduled shift, Battalion Chief John Chester, 56, passed away while at home of a yet to be determined cause.

  
Our condolences to the Chester Family & Friends, Whitfield County Fire Department, and to all affected by Battalion Chief John Chester’s passing.  

To date, 39 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.18.2017

Lieutenant James Franklin Dorminy, 55, worked on May 8, 2017, and ran three calls: amusement park ride evacuation; rescue-assist at citizen cardiac arrest; and a false fire alarm.  Lieutenant Dorminy’s shift ended at 0700hrs on May 9, 2017.  After his shift, Lieutenant Dorminy went to an off-site, private gym for his regular workout.  Lieutenant Dorminy was found floating in the pool by bystanders at approximately 0830hrs and was resuscitated.  He never regained consciousness and the family terminated life support on Thursday, May 18, 2017.

  
Our condolences to the Dorminy Family & Friends, Reedy Creek Emergency Services, and to all affected by Lieutenant James Franklin Dorminy’s passing.  

To date, 38 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: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.18.2017

On May 18, 2017 Firefighter Scott Deem, 31, died from injuries received while operating at a four-alarm fire in a shopping center. Fire crews were searching a gym in the strip mall for any possible occupants as fire conditions rapidly intensified and the structure began to collapse. All firefighters were ordered to exit the building but Firefighter Deem was unable to do so before becoming caught and trapped. Crews continued to battle the fire but due to conditions were unable to reach Firefighter Deem. According to initial reports, another member of the initial search team was also trapped in the fire but was pulled to safety along with an injured member of the Rapid Intervention Team. The two injured firefighters were transported to the hospital where one remains in critical but stable condition.

Our condolences to the Deem Family & Friends, San Antonio Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Scott Deem’s passing.  

To date, 37 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: Kentucky Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.06.2017

Firefighter/Paramedic James "Dewon" Wells, 52, worked his shift on May 5, 2017, from 0800hrs to 1600hrs. During his shift, he complained to a fire department member that he was experiencing numbness in his mouth. Immediately before leaving the station at the end of his shift, he complained to his chief that he had a headache and did not feel well. The following day, May 6, 2017, at approximately 1400hrs, Firefighter/Paramedic Wells was still not feeling well and went to a medical clinic, but returned home since he started to feel slightly better. Soon thereafter, his wife came home and found him unresponsive on the couch and not breathing. He wife initiated CPR and Firefighter/Paramedic Wells was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Sterling, where he was pronounced deceased. 

  
Our condolences to the Wells Family & Friends, Montgomery County Fire/EMS, and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic James "Dewon" Wells’ passing. 

To date, 36 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: New Jersey Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.28.2017

On April 10, 2017 as he was advancing hose line during mandatory live burn training, Firefighter William Gerace, 54, suffered a spiral fracture to his right fibula. On April 28, 2017 Firefighter Gerace's spouse contacted 911 from Gerace's residence as he was showing signs of severe respiratory difficulty. Upon the arrival of emergency responders, Firefighter Gerace stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. He was immediately transported to a local hospital with EMS performing CPR. CPR was continued at the hospital and, after approximately 20 minutes, doctors pronounced him deceased. Autopsy results showed that he suffered a pulmonary embolism, which was directly attributed to being a complication of his initial leg fracture and recovery process.

  
Our condolences to the Gerace Family & Friends, Gibbsboro Fire Company No. 1 Inc., and to all affected by Firefighter William Gerace’s passing. 

To date, 35 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 04.28.2017

Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd, 55, suffered a medical emergency on the morning of Friday, April 28, 2017 while on-duty driving in a fire department vehicle near Downtown Los Angeles. Battalion Chief Boyd was transported to California Hospital Medical Center by a Los Angeles Fire Department rescue ambulance. All efforts to revive him, however, were not successful.

  
Our condolences to the Boyd Family & Friends, Los Angeles Fire Department, and to all affected by Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd’s passing. 

To date, 34 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: Arkansas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.30.2017

On April 30, 2017 at 0400hrs, while outside of his vehicle checking water conditions during severe storms that were occurring throughout north-central Arkansas, Fire Chief Doug Deckard, 51, was struck by another vehicle on Highway 25 just west of the Faulkner-Cleburne County line near Quitman. Fire Chief Deckard passed away a short time later from the injuries sustained when struck.

  
Our condolences to the Deckard Family & Friends, Cove Creek Pearson Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Doug Deckard’s passing. 

To date, 33 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: Ohio Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.28.2017

On April 27, 2017 at 2100hrs, Firefighter David Lemponen, 83, was directing traffic on the north side of State Route 307 at the scene of a minor motor vehicle accident when he was struck by another vehicle. Firefighter Lemponen was treated and transported by Medevac to a Cleveland hospital but succumbed to the injuries sustained when struck on April 28, 2017.

  
Our condolences to the Lemponen Family & Friends, Austinburg Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter David Lemponen’s passing. 

To date, 32 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.)