USFA LODD: Arkansas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.26.2017

On August 26, 2017 Captain Randy Ray Treat, 71, fell ill while responding to an emergency call, becoming unresponsive, and then passing away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Treat Family & Friends, Kingston Rural Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Randy Ray Treat’s passing. 

To date, 65 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 08.13.2017

Lieutenant Dale Clinton “Clint” Hardemon, 58,  responded with the West Blocton Fire Department to a structure fire at 0818hrs on the morning of August 13, 2017. While on scene at the structure fire, Lieutenant Hardemon operated the fire pump on the fire apparatus and also maneuvered fire hose around the structure and apparatus. Fire department units returned to service at 1120hrs. Hardemon then drove the apparatus back to the station with no problems noted. 
  
Later that afternoon at approximately 1410hrs, Lieutenant Hardemon was at the fire station with Fire Chief Joe McCool looking at one of the fire department boats. Lieutenant Hardemon told the chief that he was feeling lightheaded and then fell to the ground unresponsive. Fire Chief McCool immediately began medical care and called 911.
    
Chief McCool initiated CPR and placed Lieutenant Hardemon on the AED; 2 shocks were administered before the arrival of the ALS unit. Lieutenant Hardemon was taken by ambulance to Bibb Medical Center, and then airlifted to DCH Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased that evening from a heart attack.

Our condolences to the Hardemon Family & Friends, West Blocton Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Dale Clinton “Clint” Hardemon’s passing.

To date, 64 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 08.24.2017

While participating in search and rescue training Thursday evening, on August 24, 2017, Firefighter Thomas P. McBride, 60, complained of difficulty breathing. He removed his breathing apparatus, denied medical treatment, cooled down, stated that he felt better and requested to return to the training. Instead, he was assigned to pump operations. A short time later, he collapsed. Resuscitation efforts were started immediately and Firefighter McBride was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injury. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.

Our condolences to the McBride Family & Friends, Campbellsburg Fire and Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Thomas P. McBride’s passing.

To date, 63 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: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.19.2017

Fire Chief Tom Martin, 61, attended live fire training on the evening of August 18, 2017. Within 24 hours of this training, Fire Chief Martin passed away at his residence on August 19, 2017.

Our condolences to the Witham Family & Friends, Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Tom Martin’s passing.

To date, 62 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: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.02.2017

On August 2, 2017  Firefighter Brent Witham, 29, was struck and killed by a falling tree while working on the Lolo Peak fire in Western Montana. Firefighter Witham was given CPR and other emergency medical aid by fellow firefighters and was then airlifted to a hospital in Missoula, Montana. Despite all efforts, Firefighter Witham passed away as a result of his injuries. Firefighter Brent Witham was a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew based in Idyllwild, California.

Our condolences to the Witham Family & Friends, U.S. Forest Service, and to all affected by Firefighter Brent Witham’s passing.

To date, 61 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 08.02.2017

On August 2, 2017 Assistant Fire Chief Jay Hinkie, 61, was struck in the roadway by a passing vehicle while he operated at the scene of a single vehicle rollover. As firefighters were cleaning up the scene, Chief Hinkie was walking with traffic in the westbound lanes of FM418 near Ruby Lane when he was struck.  Chief Hinkie was rushed to a hospital in Beaumont where he succumbed to his injuries. The fatal accident remains under investigation by authorities.

Our condolences to the Hinkie Family & Friends, Silsbee Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Jay Hinkie’s passing.  

To date, 60 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 07.30.2017

Firefighter Richard W. Leonard, 70, was operating a pumper at a fire on State Street in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on April 19, 1993. The fire involved a recycling facility with plastics. Firefighter Leonard did not have breathing air and worked in the highly toxic plastic burning smoke for hours. Firefighter Leonard never returned to duty and spent the last 24 years under workers' compensation care for continuous medical conditions caused from inhaling the smoke. Richard W. Leonard  died on July 30, 2017 due to the effects of the smoke exposure.

Our condolences to the Leonard Family & Friends, Perth Amboy Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Richard W. Leonard's passing. 

To date, 59 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.)