California Fire Captain On-Duty Death

Fire Captain Mark G. Ratledge, 35, of the Cottonwood Fire Protection District on February 29, 2012, at 06:10 a.m., was struck and killed by a vehicle while working at the scene of a traffic collision on Interstate 5.

Cottonwood firefighter killed on I-5 - Red Bluff Daily News Online

Our condolences to the Ratledge Family & Friends, the Cottonwood Fire Protection District, and to all affected by the Fire Captain Mark G. Ratledge's passing.

To date, 15 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date 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.)

Michigan Firefighter/EMT On-Duty Death

Firefighter/EMT Gerald “Jerry” R. Wetherell, 74, of the Denton Township Fire Department on February 28, 2012, was responding with another firefighter, towing the Denton Township Fire Department's snowmobile, to a motor vehicle accident in which the operator of a snowmobile had hit a tree. While responding, Firefighter/EMT Wetherell became unresponsive. He was transported, via ambulance, to the hospital in West Branch, Michigan, where he succumbed to his injury. The nature of this injury is yet to be reported.

Firefighters and EMS Workers Mourn Loss of Jerry Wetherell

Our condolences to the Wetherell Family & Friends, the Denton Township Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/EMT Gerald “Jerry” R. Wetherell's passing.

To date, 14 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date 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.)

Texas Firefighter/Fire Marshal On-Duty Death

Firefighter/Fire Marshal Matt Waller, 47, of the Memphis Fire Department, Memphis, Texas on February 25, 2012, at 13:30 hrs., passed away from a stroke he suffered while on-duty at the fire station.

Matt has worked for the Memphis Fire Department, for 29 years and has been the Fire Marshal for the Memphis, Texas the last 15 years.

Our condolences to the Waller Family & Friends, the Memphis Fire Department, and to all affected by the Firefighter/Fire Marshal Matt Waller's passing.

Funeral Arrangements for Matt Waller by Hughs Funeral Home of Memphis

To date, 13 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date 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.)

McCutchanville VFD Firefighter In Fatal Overturned Apparatus Crash

Firefighter/EMT Jeremy Tighe, 18, of McCutchanville VFD, Evansville, Indiana, on February 22, 2012, died of fatal injuries he sustained last evening. The tragic incident occurred after the engine company apparatus Jeremy was riding in, as a passenger, was involved in a single apparatus accident that overturned and crash violently, striking a utility pole while traveling north on St. Joseph Avenue.

24 year-old Brandon Cason of Evansville VFD, the driver of the vehicle, was taken to Deaconess Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. It has been reported he has since been released.

The engine company vehicle 18-year-old firefighter Tighe was riding in was returning from a emergency response for a reported carbon monoxide activation. The fire engine rige was reported available for service after thie CO2 response call at 8:10 p.m., the fire apparatus accident happen at 8:30 p.m..

McCuthanville Fire Department PIO Lt. Steve Gibson said "They were returning from a run when for some unknown reason their truck went off the side of the pavement."

Our condolences to all affected by this tragedy.

To date, 12 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date 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.)

Virginia Firefighter LODD, Died After Tanker Apparatus Crashes

(This photo of Zach Whitacre is from his Facebook Profile)

Frederick County Fire and Rescue Officials informed during an afternoon press conference that 21-year-old Zachary Whitacre, a member of the Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department , died after being taken to Winchester Medical Center.

Firefighter Whitacre died early this Monday morning in a single vehicle accident crash just over the West Virgina line for a mutual response for wate at around 4am this morningr. The tanker involved in the accident was heading to Capon Bridge to pick up water before responding to a reported structure fire in Hampshire County.

It was reported that Zachary Whitacre, who was riding in the back of a 1986 Ford fire tanker, was thrown out of the tanker and died afer the vehicle lost control on an icy Route 50, sending it into an embankment.

Donald Whitacre the driver of the tanker, and also Zachary's father, was taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

Fire Chief Linaburg described the tragity as one of the saddest moments in Frederick County's history.

The Gore Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department is one of eleven stations within the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Department. Gore is located about 10 miles from Winchester near the Virginia/West Virginia State Line.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Zach Whitacre’s Family, the Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Frederick County Fire & Rescue Department, and Zach’s Friends.

To date, 11 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

(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.)

Pennsylvania Fire Captain On-Duty Death

Captain Walter C. Sumner, 49, of the Cranesville Volunteer Fire Department on January 24, 2012 passed away within 24 hours of responding to an incident. Captain Sumner suffered a heart attack. Captain Sumner passed away from complications related to that heart attack.

Fire Chief Christian Karotko of the neighboring Endinboro Volunteer Fire Department had these word to say about Fire Captain Walt Summer...

"Today, we lost brother firefighter and good friend Walt Sumner. Walt was a true brother to all in the fire service. Whether on the fireground or leading the torches in a live burn, he always had our backs. No matter how bad the situation, he was always right there. Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the Sumner family and our Brothers and Sisters at Cranesville Station 60. You will be sadly missed but know you will continue to always have our back and watch over us. Rest easy my friend.

Hard times come and go but we stick together because we are one big family, brothers and sisters. It doesn't matter where your from or what color your bucket is, we're united as one. People depend on us and depend on each other. We get through it and when the bell goes off, we will still get on the rig and go, even on our weakest days. We are firefighters, a brotherhood of courageous people. Our apparatus roll with a full crew now, unseen Hero's riding beside us, guiding us to where we need to go..."

To date, eight (8) firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012.

“Captain” Walt Sumner of Cranesville Fire Department, Rest In Peace Brother.

(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.)

Former Fire Chief Dies LODD

Firefighter Bruce Turcotte, 58, of the Hopelawn Engine Company No. 1 on January 19, 2012, responded to a residential structure fire with his fire company. Shortly after working to reestablish the water supply to firefighters inside of the burning structure, he returned to his rescue truck and fell ill where he was discovered a short time later by other firefighters. Firefighter Turcotte was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital but passed away due to a reported cardiac arrest.

Hopelawn fire chief suffers fatal heart attack at scene of Woodbridge blaze

(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.)

20 Year Firefighter Veteran LODD

Firefighter Duane Ibarra, 50, of the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety on January 18, 2012, was found unresponsive in the fire station workout room at 1822hrs. Efforts to revive Ibarra by his co-workers were unsuccessful. Our sincere condolences to the members of the MFD and family of Firefighter Duane Ibarra.

Maui Firefighter Death Unexpected

(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.)

Volunteer Firefighter In Fatal Crash

Firefighter Brandon Little, 19, of United Hook and Ladder Company 33, on January 18, 2012, while responding to a structure fire call, Firefighter Little passed away from injuries he sustained when his privately owned vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Initial reports indicate that Little was ejected from his car and that speed may have been a factor in the accident. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities.

Friends Remember New Oxford Firefighter Killed on his Way to Fire

(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.)

Loss of Life for Two Firefighters...

This past weekend there were two on duty firefighter fatalities as reported by The United States Fire Administration (USFA).

These two tragic loss of life represent the 3^rd and 4^th Firefighter Fatality for 2012.

Firefighter David Crenshaw of the Anderson Fire Department, South Carolina, on Jan 9, 2012, at 06:30 hrs., collapsed from a cause still to be determined while working at the scene of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at Porter Road and Highway 88. Crenshaw was treated at the scene and transported to AnMed Health Medical Center where he succumbed to his injury. Incident Location: Porter Road and Highway 88.

“Former Anderson County sheriff dies while trying to help others”

Fire Chief Samuel Butler of the Evens Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina, on Jan 8, 2012, at 22:55 hrs., while responding to a motor vehicle accident in his privately owned vehicle, Fire Chief Butler was struck and killed by a semi-trailer truck as he attempted a U-turn at the end of the eastbound I-74 onramp at Cabinet Shop Road. Incident Location: Onramp eastbound lanes I-74 & Cabinet Shop Road.

“Maxton firefighter killed”

(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.)

Firefighter Dies in Training Tragedy

23 year veteran Pompano Beach Fire Department firefighter William “Bill” Elliott, died Friday, Jan 6, 2011 after falling 100 feet from the top of a ladder truck during a fire department exercise according to news reports.

The training exercise, which included four other firefighters, took place behind Fire Station 61 on 2121 NW third Ave, Pompano Beach, Florida at approximately 4:20 p.m. The other firefighters witnessed the fall, including one who stood on the ladder behind Elliott during the exercise. The report indicates that this was the first time a Pompano Beach firefighter has died in the line of duty.

View more videos at: http://nbcmiami.com.

Fire Chief Harry Small was quoted to say,“In order to do this type of work, which is very dangerous, you have to train a lot on your aerial units because that’s risky stuff to begin with. Training is a part of our lives and there’s a number of firefighter fatalities annually in the United States from training exercises. It’s sad but true.”

“We’ve had a death in the family here, essentially,” Small said. “He was an extraordinarily competent guy, one of our best, it’s just very hard to deal with.”

Elliot had no wife or children and had been with the department since 1989.

The Broward Sheriff's Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

(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 Reports 81 LODDs in 2011

2011 firefighter fatality statistics are provisional and may change

USFAPublished Tuesday, January 3, 2012EMMITSBURG, MD — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announced today there were 81 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States as a result of incidents that occurred in 2011. This represents an almost seven percent decrease from the 87 fatalities reported for 2010. The 81 fatalities occurred in 33 states, one U.S. territory, and one overseas U.S. military facility. Texas experienced the highest number of fatalities (seven). North Carolina experienced six firefighter deaths and was the only other state with five or more firefighter fatalities.

“In 2004 at the initial Life Safety Summit, a number of fire service leaders did not believe we would complete a calendar year with less than 100 firefighter on-duty deaths,” U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell said. "We broke through that perceived barrier in 2009, 2010, and now in 2011! We salute and congratulate our fire service family and pledge to continue working cl
The U.S. Fire Service lost 84 firefighters in the line of duty for 2011. Here is a video from Firehouse.com...osely with the entire fire service community and its partners to maintain and even accelerate this downward trend in on-duty firefighter deaths.”

Heart attacks were responsible for the deaths of 48 firefighters (59%) in 2011, nearly the same proportion of firefighter deaths from heart attack or stroke (60%) in 2010. Ten on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, the lowest number of annual firefighter deaths associated with wildland fires since 1996. Fifty-four percent of all firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. Only three firefighters were killed in vehicle collisions.

2011 firefighter fatality statistics are provisional and may change as the USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on duty during 2011. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in USFA's annual firefighter fatality report, expected to be available by July 2012.
For additional information on firefighter fatalities, including the annual fatality reports from 1986 through 2010 and the Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990–2000, please visit the USFA website.

The following video Honors the Men & Woman who gave their lives in 2011 serving both Volunteer & Career Fire Departments. Please take a moment and Honor them. Our thanks to them for giving their all. Always Remembered, Never Forgotten!
The U.S. Fire Service lost 84 firefighters in the line of duty in 2011. Here’s a link from Firehouse.com of those losses…

Remembering the Fallen of 2011

(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.)