USFA LODD: New Mexico Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.22.2017

On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, while attempting to fill tankers on a wildland firefight involving several local fire departments, Firefighter John C. Cammack, 74, fell from the back of a firefighting apparatus as it was escaping from wind driven flames that had switched direction and burned over their location. A second firefighter, Kyle Perez, was also hanging onto the truck as it drove through the flames and was injured. Perez said that after Cammack fell from the truck, they quickly returned to find him walking towards them, apparently badly injured. As they approached, Cammack first inquired to Perez’ condition, asking if the thirty-five year-old firefighter was okay. Cammack was then treated by fellow responders and both firefighters were transported to the hospital. Firefighter Cammack succumbed on Thursday, June 22, 2017, to injuries sustained. Perez was later released from the hospital.

Our condolences to the Cammack Family & Friends, Nara Visa Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter John C. Cammack’s passing.

  

To date, 51 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: Missouri Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.19.2017

On  June 19, 2017 Firefighter Jeffery Mason Sanders, 55, was killed and another firefighter was injured when they were struck by a privately owned vehicle while working at the scene of a “wires down” call. The private vehicle crashed into the rear of another private vehicle stopped on a roadway behind a fire department vehicle. The fire department vehicle then struck the two firefighters who were nearby, trapping them underneath as it went down an embankment and stopped. Firefighter Sanders was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second firefighter, 33-year-old Jacob Hayward, was flown to the Research Medical Center in Kansas City with critical injuries.

Our condolences to the Sanders Family & Friends, Mayview Fire Protection District, and to all affected by Firefighter Jeffery Mason Sanders’ passing.

  

To date, 50 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 06.14.2017

On June 14, 2017 Chief Edward Switalski, 55, responded with the Comstock Township Department of Fire & Rescue to a reported motor vehicle accident on Eastbound I-94 near mile marker 81 at approximately 2230hrs. Upon arrival, they found an empty vehicle and no injuries to report. As fire crews were getting ready to leave the scene, a passing vehicle lost control and struck Chief Switalski, who was standing at the rear of his rescue vehicle returning equipment to service. Crews at the scene tried to revive him, but were not successful. Chief Switalski was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Our condolences to the Switalski Family & Friends, Comstock Township Department of Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Fire Chief Edward Switalski’s passing.  

  

To date, 49 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 06.10.2017

On June 10, 2017 while operating at a residential trailer home fire and working on the exterior to protect nearby exposures, Firefighter Lawrence W. Matthews, 35, fell ill and collapsed. Firefighter Matthews was immediately attended to by fellow responders and rushed to Ingalls Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Matthews Family & Friends, Village of Dolton Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Lawrence W. Matthews' passing. 

  

To date, 48 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: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.21.2017

The U.S. Fire Administration confirmed that the April death of North Courtland Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Eddie Harris was a line-of-duty death. 

On April 21,2017 Fire Chief Eddie Harris, 47, was working with his fire department at the scene of a training burn. Approximately two hours into the activity, Harris complained of not feeling well and was taken home. Later that day, Fire Chief Harris passed away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported. 

Our condolences to the Harris Family & Friends, North Courtland Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Eddie Harris’ passing. 

  

To date, 47 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 06.05.2017

Firefighter Kelly Wong, 29, fell from an LAFD aerial ladder while participating in a training exercise on the morning of Saturday, June 3. Fellow firefighters and paramedics rendered immediate medical attention and transported him in critical condition to a local trauma center.

    
Despite the heroic efforts of doctors and nurses at the hospital, Firefighter Kelly Wong succumbed to his injuries early Monday morning, June 5, 2017.

Our condolences to the Wong Family & Friends, Los Angeles Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Kelly Wong’s passing.

  

To date, 46 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: Indiana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.01.2017

On June 1, 2017 several hours after responding with Lake Station Volunteer Fire Department to an emergency response call, Lieutenant David Jatczsk, 57, died at his residence from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Jatczsk Family & Friends, Lake Station Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant David Jatczsk’s passing.

  

To date, 45 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.)