USFA LODD: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 12.06.2020

On November 17, 2020, Firefighter Donald Downs, 69, while attending mandatory training for the fire department, contracted COVID-19 from attendees at the exercise. He passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from the virus.

Our condolences to the Downs Family & Friends, Saragossa Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Donald Downs' passing.    

To date, 88 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 conclusivei n any shape or manner.

USFA LODD: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 01.10.2020

On Friday, January 10, 2020, Fire Chief John A. Bresnan, 58, was found unresponsive in his office at the Homewood Fire and Rescue Service.  He was immediately transported to Brookwood Baptist Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased from a medical emergency that has yet to be determined.

Our condolences to the Bresnan Family & Friends, Homewood Fire and Rescue Service, and to all affected by Fire Chief John A. Bresnan's passing.

   

To date, 04 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: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.18.2019

On October 18, 2019, Firefighter Michael Johnston, 45, was driving the Equality Volunteer Fire Department’s 2004 GMC water tender when it overturned while responding to a brush fire. Firefighter Johnston was ejected from the truck in the single-vehicle accident and pronounced deceased at the scene from the injuries he sustained.

Our condolences to the Johnson Family & Friends, Equality Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Michael Johnston‘s passing.

   

To date, 46 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2019. 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 06.17.2019

Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Wayne Echols, 35, was participating in a recruit training exercise in Anniston, AL. While at the training, he became ill and was immediately transported to the RMC Hospital in Anniston, where he passed away a short time later.  Investigation into the incident continues.   Firefighter/Paramedic Echols was also an active member of the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Springville, AL.

Our condolences to the Echols Family & Friends, Maryland Springville Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Wayne Echols’ passing. 

   

To date, 21 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2019. 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 02.23.2019

On February 19, 2019, Firefighter Brenden Pierce, 21, started his shift at the Palmerdale Fire District, Station 3. During this shift at approximately 12:30 a.m. on February 20, 2019, Firefighter Pierce suffered a medical emergency after responding to a weather-related call. He was immediately transported to the Grandview Medical Center where he was declared brain dead on February 20, 2019. Because Firefighter Brenden Pierce was an organ donor, his organs were transplanted to multiple recipients over the next few days. Firefighter Brenden Pierce’s official date of death was February 23, 2019.

  

Our condolences to the Pierce Family & Friends, Palmerdale Fire District, and to all affected by Firefighter Brenden Pierce’s passing.     

   

To date, 04 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2019. 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: 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: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.23.2017

Lieutenant Christopher Lane Foster, 54, responded to a MVA with injuries at 0718hrs on March 22, 2017.  After his shift, Lieutenant Foster returned to his home where he was found unresponsive at 0220hrs the following morning.  Lieutenant Foster was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter having succumbed to an apparent cardiac arrest.

  
Our condolences to the Foster Family & Friends, Demopolis Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Christopher Lane Foster’s passing. 

To date, 25 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 01.13.2017

 On January 13, 1017 at 1300hrs, while conducting official fire department business, Chief Tracy O. Sanders, 44, was stopped in the department's rescue truck on Alabama Highway 77 preparing to make a left-hand turn when she was struck from the rear by a tractor-trailer. The rescue unit was forced into oncoming traffic where Chief Sanders was struck again and her vehicle was forced off the roadway and into trees lining the east side of the highway. Members from the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding agencies arrived on scene and began to treat Chief Sanders. She was then transported to Anniston Regional Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries at approximately 1434hrs.

  
Our condolences to the Brenner Family & Friends, Speedwell Engine & Hose Company, and to all affected by Chief Tracy O. Sanders’ passing.  

To date, 03 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 04.02.2016

On March 30, 2016 at 1500hrs, Firefighter Charles M. Tucker, 56,  responded from home with his son, Austin, a 16-year-old Junior Member of Lynn Fire & Rescue, to a grass and woods fire on Winston County Road 37. Once units cleared the fire scene, Firefighter Tucker was driving with his son back home when, for a cause still to be determined, their privately owned pickup truck veered off of the highway and struck an empty logging trailer parked nearby. Lynn Fire & Rescue and other emergency services responded to the scene finding both occupants badly injured and entrapped in the vehicle. After extensive extrication efforts, Firefighter Tucker and his son were flown by medical helicopter to UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Firefighter Charles M. Tucker succumbed to his injuries sustained in the early morning hours of April 2, 2016. Junior Firefighter Austin Tucker remains in UAB Children’s Hospital recovering from his injuries. The fatal accident is under investigation by the Alabama Highway Patrol.

      

Our condolences to the Tucker Family & Friends, Lynn Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Charles M. Tucker’s passing.

    

To date, 19 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. 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 Fire Captain On-Duty Death Notification 06.04.2015

On June 3, 2015 at 1100hrs, while at home several hours after responding to two fire calls, including one in a recreational vehicle at the Clear Creek Recreation Area Campground, Fire Captain James “Donnie” D. Keith, 59, complained of not feeling well and suffered a cardiac arrest. Captain Keith was treated and transported to a local hospital by fellow responders where despite all efforts he succumbed to his injury. 

      

Our condolences to the Keith Family & Friends, Mount Zion Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Fire Captain James “Donnie” D. Keith’s passing.

   

To date, 41 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2015. 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: Alabama On-Duty Death 04.29.2013

Firefighter Dale Scott Queen, 37, on April 29, 2013 at 1830hrs, became ill while working a call of an explosion in the area. Aid was rendered to Firefighter Queen by fellow responders and he was transported to the hospital but succumbed from a type of injury still  to be reported.

His cause of death is unknown, although it was not related to the search for potential explosives in the woods on Ironman Road near Alabama 36, said Oak Ridge Fire Chief Stephen Maples.

"Dale was as good a man as you would find," Chief Maples said. "He was there if you needed him. All you had to do was call him. Dale loved helping people."  

Dale Scott Queen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their sons, Tanner, 14; Dakota, 13; and Avery, 9.

Our condolences to the Queen Family & Friends, the Oak Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Dale Scott Queen's passing.


To date, 26 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.)