USFA LODD: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.15.2020

On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Firefighter Zachary S. Blankenship, 26, and the Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at a residential structure.  Upon returning home, approximately 5 hours later, he collapsed.  Blankenship was immediately taken to the Bluefield Regional Medical Center where it was determined he suffered a stroke.  He was later flown to a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia.  Blankenship was pronounced deceased at 1442hrs on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Our condolences to the Blankenship Family & Friends, Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Zachary S. Blankenship's passing.

   

To date, 18 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. 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 03.13.2020

On Friday, March 13, 2020, at approximately 2130hrs, Firefighter Benjamen “Ben” Lauren, 23, and Forsyth Township Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene of a fire in a duplex.  While working the interior of the structure, part of the floor collapsed and Firefighter Lauren became trapped between the first and basement floors.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene.  An investigation into the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Our condolences to the Lauren Family & Friends, Forsyth Township Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Benjamen “Ben” Lauren's passing.

   

To date, 17 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.08.2020

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, Safety Officer Joseph Tucker was driving the department’s engine to a structure fire before complaining that he wasn’t feeling well to his coworkers.  After arriving at the scene, Tucker was immediately transported to the Wayne UNC Hospital where he passed away.

Our condolences to the Tucker Family & Friends, Thoroughfare Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Safety Officer Joseph Tucker's passing.

   

To date, 16 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. 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: Pennsylvania Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.09.2020

While battling a fire at a single-family home, Firefighter Jerome Guise, 34, was fatally injured when the structure’s heavy timber front porch roof collapsed on him. Firefighter Guise was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Our condolences to the Guise Family & Friends, Citizen's Fire Company No. 1 of Mt. Holly Springs, and to all affected by Firefighter Jerome Guise's passing.

   

To date, 15 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. 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.