USFA LODD: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.08.2020

 

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, Captain Thomas Searcy, 45, was battling COVID-19 when he passed away in the Intensive Care Unit at the Memorial Hermann Hospital. He had been hospitalized for a month fighting the virus. Captain Searcy contracted COVID-19 from exposure in the workplace from numerous fire and EMS calls he responded to where individuals had been diagnosed with the disease. 

Our condolences to the Stearcy Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Thomas Searcy's passing.

To date, 61 firefighter fatalities 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.25.2020

 

On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Firefighter/First Responder Brian Stephen Smith, 56, and other fire department personnel, responded to a call of a water rescue on the beach.  Firefighter/First Responder Smith went into the water to rescue a man and a juvenile and got swept up by the current.  He was rescued from the water and immediately taken to the Weems Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  

Our condolences to the Smith Family & Friends, St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/First Responder Brian Stephen Smith's passing.    

To date, 56 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.04.2020

Firefighters from the City of Naples Fire-Rescue responded to a medical emergency at a nursing home.  The patient was exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and results were received the next day that showed the patient was positive for the virus. Firefighter Anthony Craig “Tony” Christensen, 55, did not respond to this call.  However, he was in direct contact with fellow firefighters who had been exposed to the virus from the nursing home.  He subsequently contracted COVID-19 and passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

  

Our condolences to the Christensen Family & Friends, City of Naples Fire-Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Anthony Craig “Tony” Christensen's passing.

     

To date, 49 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.30.2020

In early March of this year, while on official duty, Fire Chief Donald DiPetrillo, 70, was attending the EMS Today Conference in Tampa, Florida, where he contracted COVID-19, traced by the Department of Health.  He subsequently died from the virus on Thursday, April 30, 2020. 

  

Our condolences to DiPetrillo Family & Friends, Seminole Tribe of Florida Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Fire Chief Donald DiPetrillo's passing.

   

To date, 32 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 11.06.2019

On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at approximately 0350hrs, Assistant District Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw, 41, of the Beulah Fire Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a fatal motorcycle accident.  While at the scene, he was struck by an 18-wheeler log truck.  Chief Bradshaw was immediately airlifted to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, where he passed away.  Chief Bradshaw also served as the District Chief of the Escambia County Fire Rescue Station #1 in the community of Bellview.

Our condolences to the Graham Family & Friends, Beulah Fire Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Assistant District Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw‘s passing.

   

To date, 49 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.26.2019

On September 26, 2019 after returning home from his shift at the Martin County Fire Rescue Department, Station 16, in which he participated in physical fitness training, Firefighter-Paramedic Scott R. Neumann, 52, passed away from a medical incident which has not yet been determined.

Our condolences to the Neumann Family & Friends, Martin County Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter-Paramedic Scott R. Neumann’s passing.

   

To date, 38 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.06.2019

On the evening of August 6, 2019, Fire Chief/Public Safety Director James E. Sommers, 40, was returning home on his motorcycle from a Suwannee County Commission Meeting when he was struck by a vehicle. Fire Chief/Public Safety Director Sommers was immediately transported to the Lake City Medical Center where he died from the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Our condolences to the Sommers Family & Friends, Suwannee Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Fire Chief/Public Safety Director James E. Sommers’ passing. 

   

To date, 30 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.07.2019

On May 7, 2019, Lieutenant Barry Boulton, Sr., 67, collapsed after completion of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) drill. Resuscitation efforts were immediately rendered to Lieutenant Boulton who was then rushed to the Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, FL, where he passed away from cardiac arrest.

Our condolences to the Boulton Family & Friends, Plantation Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter William N. Franck’s passing. 

   

To date, 18 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.27.2019

On April 14, 2019, while on-duty at the fire station, Firefighter/EMT Brad Gregrich, 30, complained to his co-worker that he wasn’t feeling well, with a headache and feeling tired. The next morning, returning home after his shift, Firefighter/EMT Gregrich was still ill.  His wife transported him to the hospital.  The hospital then released him after an evaluation.  He returned home but became unresponsive and 9-1-1 was called. He was rushed back to the hospital where he suffered a major stroke and never regained consciousness.  He passed away at the hospital on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Our condolences to the Gregrich Family & Friends, Desoto County Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter John Leming’s passing. 

   

To date, 14 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.09.2018

On March 9, 2018 Driver Engineer Daryel Richards, 58, succumbed to a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported while on duty at the fire station on March 9, 2018.

Our condolences to the Richards Family & Friends, Hollywood Fire Rescue & Beach Safety Department, and to all affected by Driver Engineer Daryel Richards’ passing. 

To date, 21 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018. 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 12.15.2017

On December 15, 2017 Engineer Jeffery Atkinson, 43, died while on-duty at the fire station from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.

Our condolences to the Atkinson Family & Friends, Tallahassee Fire Department and to all affected by Engineer Jeffery Atkinson’s passing.  

To date, 85 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.16.2017

Firefighter/Paramedic Steven R. Terry, 53, passed away while on duty October 16, 2017. Firefighter/Paramedic Terry was found unresponsive by his fellow Fire Station #9 crew members who then initiated resuscitative measures. He was transported by Hernando County Fire Rescue paramedics to Bayfront Brooksville Hospital. Despite the exhaustive efforts by the Bayfront Brooksville Hospital ED team, Firefighter/Paramedic Steven R. Terry passed away. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined and reported.

Our condolences to the Terry Family & Hernando County Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Steven R. Terry’s passing.

To date, 73 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.18.2017

Lieutenant James Franklin Dorminy, 55, worked on May 8, 2017, and ran three calls: amusement park ride evacuation; rescue-assist at citizen cardiac arrest; and a false fire alarm.  Lieutenant Dorminy’s shift ended at 0700hrs on May 9, 2017.  After his shift, Lieutenant Dorminy went to an off-site, private gym for his regular workout.  Lieutenant Dorminy was found floating in the pool by bystanders at approximately 0830hrs and was resuscitated.  He never regained consciousness and the family terminated life support on Thursday, May 18, 2017.

  
Our condolences to the Dorminy Family & Friends, Reedy Creek Emergency Services, and to all affected by Lieutenant James Franklin Dorminy’s passing.  

To date, 38 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: Florida Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.14.2016

On July 14, 2016, several hours after getting off of his duty shift which included several emergency response calls, Firefighter Joesph T.  DeMarinis, 32, checked himself into the hospital where he passed away from a reported cardiac event.

Our condolences to the DeMarinis Family & Friends, Clermont Fire Departmen, and to all affected by Firefighter Joesph T.  DeMarinis’s passing.   

To date, 43 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 – New Jersey Firefighter Fatalities Notification 06.08.2014

Firefighter Robert “Hawk” Meyer, 54, on June 8, 2014 at 1800hrs, fell ill while working at the scene of a multiple alarm fire in a commercial warehouse building. Fellow responders immediately rendered medical aid to Firefightewr Meyer who succumbed to his injury, the nature of which is pending completion of an autopsy.

  
Our condolences to the Meyer Family & Friends, the Union Beach Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Robert "Hawk" Meyer's passing.

  
To date, 43 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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 – Maryland Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Fatalities Notification 05.30.2014

On May 30, 2014 at 1412hrs, Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Robert Fogel III, 58, went into cardiac arrest during a training exercise at the Baltimore County Fire Rescue Academy in Sparrows Point, Maryland. Driver Operator Fogle was cared for by fellow firefighters and transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. Services for Firefighter Fogle will at the Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company where Fogle also volunteered as a firefighter for over 30 years.

  
Our condolences to the Fogel Family & Friends, the Baltimore County Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Robert Fogel III's passing.

  
To date, 42 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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 – Florida Firefighter/Paramedic Fatalities Notification 05.01.2014

Approximately four hours after going off of a shift, on April 23, 2014, which included several emergency response calls, Lieutenant Jeffrey B. Newland suffered an aortic dissection. Lieutenant Newland was treated and transported to a local hospital then flown to Health Park Hospital for specialized care where he remained for just over a week before passing away from his injury.
  
Jeffrey B. Newland is survived by his significant other, Beverly Ward; his 6-year-old son, Clayton; his 17-year-old stepson, Colton; his mother, Jane; and his brother, Jim.
    
Our condolences to the Newland Family & Friends, the North Port Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Lieutenant Jeffrey B. Newland's passing.  
  
To date, 37 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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 - Firefighter Fatality Notification 02.28.2014

New Jersey Firefighter LODD:

On February 28, 2014 at 0130hrs, Fire Captain Gregory D. Barnas, 57, died of injuries sustained when he fell from the roof of a burning commercial structure (restaurant) while, according to reports, he was working to ventilate the building. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by authorities.
  
Our condolences to the Barnas Family & Friends, the Wallington Fire Department and to all affected by Fire Captain Gregory D. Barnas' passing.  

   

To date, 21 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

Florida Assistant Fire Chief LODD:

On February 10, 2014 at 1700hrs, Assistant Fire Chief Roger Tome, 71, passed away from an apparent heart attack several hours after completing his shift which included department mandated physical training.
  
Our condolences to the Tome Family & Friends, the Kennedy Space Center Fire and Rescue and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Roger Dale Tome's passing.  

   

To date, 20 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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.) 

Florida Fire Lieutenant On-Duty Death

Firefighter Lt. Mark Morrison, 53, a 25-year veteran of the St. Lucie County Fire District on March 4, 2012, at 05:49 p.m., passed Sunday evening at Fire Station No. 3 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away while in quarters from a cause still to be determined. During his shift, Morrison had responded to several emergency response calls. He was discovered unconscious in the firehouse by fellow firefighters and immediately rendered aid then transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injury.

Port St. Lucie, Chief Ron Parrish called Morrison's death "a very sad day" for the St. Lucie County Fire District.

"Mark was a committed firefighter and officer," Parrish said. "He was a mentor to those who served with him and a friend to so many."

Our condolences to the Morrison Family & Friends, the St. Lucie County Fire District , and to all affected by the Firefighter Lt. Mark Morrison's passing.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Lt. Mark Morrison is survived by a wife and two daughters.

To date, 16 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.)