On February 25, 2016, inmate Firefighter Shawna Lynn Jones, 22, was working as part of a hand crew in a steep ravine on a fire in Agoura Hills-Malibu, California, when a large rock fell about 100 feet from the hillside above and struck her in the head. Firefighter Jones was treated immediately on scene by her fellow firefighters and quickly hoisted into a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter then airlifted to UCLA Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries the following day on February 26, 2016. Thanks to firefighters on the ground combined with air attacks, the fire was brought under control and no structures were lost. Investigation into the cause of the fire continues by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the Jones Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Firefighter Shawna Lynn Jones,’s passing. To date, 12 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.)
On February 2, 2016 at 2129hrs, Firefighter James R. Varnell, 53, was at the fire department attending training. As FirefighterVarnell was preparing to depart, he became ill and fellow responders quickly came to his aid with basic life support measures. As more assistance arrived, advanced life support was provided as James R. Varnell was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to a nature and cause of injury still to be determined. Our condolences to the Varnell Family & Friends, Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter James R. Varnell’s passing. To date, 8 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.)
On January 22, 2016 at 0500hrs, Fire Lieutenant Ronald Jason Adams, 29, was shot and killed by a resident at the scene of an emergency medical response call. Investigation of the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the Adams Family & Friends, East Pulaski County Fire Department and to all affected by Fire Lieutenant Ronald Jason Adams’ passing.
Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth K. Harris, 56, finished his shift on 01/11/16 at 0730hrs. During this shift, Firefighter Harris responded to multiple incidents with the last incident being at 0615hrs. At approximately 2030hrs that same day, Kenneth K. Harris suffered a cardiac arrest while at home and passed away from injuries sustained. Our condolences to the Harris Family & Friends, Village of Oak Park Fire Department and all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth K. Harris' passing.
Firefighter Trainee Charles C. Adams, Jr., 47, was participating in search and rescue training at the local fire academy. He became ill and momentarily lost consciousness. Displaying heart attack-like symptoms, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Firefighter Trainee Charles C. Adams, Jr. passed away at the hospital later that evening from a cause yet to be determined.
Our condolences to the AdamsFamily & Friends, Spring Arbor Township Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Trainee Charles C. Adams, Jr.’s passing.
Firefighter Patrick R. Wolterman, 28, on December 28, 2015 died from injuries sustained when he became trapped in a residential structure fire. According to initial reports from the media and fire department, firefighters responded to the fire at 0112hrs and upon arrival observed heavy smoke coming from the home. Firefighters had been advised that the house may be occupied with two elderly residents and at 0117hrs entered the home to search for any residents and began an interior attack on the fire. At approximately 0120hrs Firefighter Wolterman fell from the first floor into the basement and firefighters transmitted a "Mayday" alert calling for help. Firefighters quickly located and rescued Patrick R. Wolterman and performed life saving measures while en route to Fort Hamilton Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The fatal fire incident remains under investigation by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the WoltermanFamily & Friends, Hamilton Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Patrick R. Wolterman’s passing.
Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel V. Capuano, 42, on December 14, 2015 at 0243hrs, died from injuries sustained in a fall down an elevator shaft while operating with fire crews in heavy smoke conditions inside of a burning warehouse building. Firefighter/Paramedic Capuano was quickly removed from the building and into a waiting ambulance then taken to Christ Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The cause of the fatal fire incident remains under investigation by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the Capuano Family & Friends, Chicago Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel V. Capuano’s passing.
Firefighter Lawrence “Larry” W. Millard , 56, on December 11, 2015 at 1600hrs, was struck by a passing vehicle as he was directing traffic while the department was on the scene of a motor vehicle crash on U.S. I-39 at mile post 99.5 in Marquette County, Wisconsin. Firefighter Millard was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in Portage then flown to the University of Wisconsin Trauma Center in Madison, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Our condolences to the MillardFamily & Friends, Endeavor Moundville Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Lawrence “Larry” W. Millard’s passing.
Fireboat Captain Walter Szelag, 65, on November 20, 2015 at 1615hrs, became ill from an apparent heart attack while on-duty with the City of Detroit Fire Department’s Fire Boat 1. According to initial reports, crew members radioed for an ambulance to be sent to the fire boat station where Captain Szelag was working to prepare the fire boat for the winter season. Captain Szelag was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital but succumbed to his injury. Our condolences to the Szelag Family & Friends, City of Detroit Fire Department and to all affected by Fireboat Captain Walter Szelag’s passing.
Firefighter Sergeant Vince Smith on November 19, 2015 passed away in his sleep at the fire station from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined. According to media reports, Firefighter Smith complained of not feeling well just before retiring for a rest period. Sergeant Smith was assigned to Detroit Fire Department’s Ladder 13 but was working an extra shift at the station housing Engine 48 at the time of his passing.
Our condolences to the Smith Family & Friends, City of Detroit Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter Vince Smith’s passing.
Deputy Chief Thomas J. Kolarick, 59, on October 17, 2015 returned to the firehouse after a fire alarm response. Inside of the firehouse, Kolarick suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital where he remained hospitalized until the time of his passing on November 11, 2015.
Deputy Chief Thomas J. Kolarick is survived by his loving wife of twenty-two years, Barbara (Kent) Kolarick, his beloved children; Emily H. Kolarick of Fords, Thomas M. Kolarick and wife Barbara of Keasbey, Eric S. Kolarick of Crofton, Maryland and Austin C. Kolarick of Fords, his adored grandchildren Trinity, Phoenix and Jaden, his dearest sisters Donna Starrick of Matawan and Debbie Gallagher of Fords, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shari and John Fratellone and also by several nieces and nephews
Our condolences to the Thomas Family & Friends, Protection Fire Department #1, and to all affected by Deputy Chief Thomas J. Kolarick’s passing.
Firefighter Larry O'Neil, 58, on October 25 at 1130hrs was responding to an emergency medical call in a fire department vehicle and had just arrived on-scene when fellow responders noticed that he had become ill. Firefighter O’Neil was removed from the vehicle, provided medical assistance, and transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to a nature and cause of injury still to be reported but thought to be cardiac related.
Our condolences to the ONeil Family & Friends, Lone Camp Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Larry O'Neil’s passing.
October 12, 2015 at 1927hrs, Fire Apparatus Operator Larry J. Leggio, 43, and Firefighter John V. Mesh, 39, died from injuries sustained in a structural collapse while working at the scene of an apartment building fire.
Multiple units were dispatched at 1927hrs on initial calls that indicated fire visible from the structure; additional units were dispatched as the incident escalated, with a full second alarm requested shortly after arrival. Tactical assignments were made, including establishing a Rapid Intervention Team, and crews began operating to effect fire suppression and occupant rescue, rescuing multiple occupants by ladder prior to deteriorating conditions and forcing a shift to defensive operations.
Evacuation was ordered at 1952hrs. At approximately 2007hrs, a collapse was reported on the east side of the building. Two MAYDAY calls were received from the collapse area, indicating firefighters in urgent distress; four firefighters were reported trapped by the collapse. The Rapid Intervention Team witnessed the collapse and held their ground for no more than 10 seconds until Command ordered them to effect the rescue. They located, uncovered and removed several firefighters from the immediate area. The first ambulance transporting a firefighter departed the scene at approximately 2013hrs, arriving at Truman Medical Center (TMC) approximately five minutes later. A second emergency transport left the scene at approximately 2021hrs with arrival at TMC five minutes following. Both those firefighters, Fire Apparatus Operator Leggio and Firefighter Mesh, were pronounced dead at the hospital after paramedics, nurses and doctors had attempted to revive them. A third firefighter was transported to University of Kansas Medical Center at 2023hrs and a fourth transported non-emergency to St Luke’s at approximately 2027hrs; their condition is still to be reported. The cause of the fatal fire is being investigated by local, state, and federal authorities.
Our condolences to the Leggio and Mesh Families & Friends, Kansas City Fire Department, and to all affected byFire Apparatus Operator Larry J. Leggio's and Firefighter John V. Mesh's passing.
To date, #66 & #67 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.)
On September 23, 2015 at 1427hrs., Firefighter and Ex Fire Chief Shawn M. Benson, 50, was found unresponsive at home several hours after responding with Paramus Fire Department, Company 2, to a local restaurant for a fire alarm activation. Firefighter Shawn M. Benson was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Our condolences to the Benson Family & Friends, Paramus Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter and Ex Fire Chief Shawn M. Benson’s passing.
Firefighter Richard Leo Crosby, Sr., 67, suffered a cardiac arrest during a fire call incident that occurred on 9/24/2015. Richard Leo Crosby, Sr. was taken off of life support and succumbed to his injury on 09/26/2015.
Our condolences to the Crosby Family & Friends, Casnovia Township Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Richard Lee Crosby Sr.’s passing.
On September 24, 2015, Firefighter/EMT Stuart Hardy, 31, passed away from a nature and cause of injury still to be determined after suffering a medical emergency while working at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on September 13th, 2015.
Our condolences to the Hardy Family & Friends, Burton Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/EMT Stuart Hardy’s passing.
On September 23, 2015 at 0752hrs, while responding to an emergency call for a male with chest pain, Assistant Chief of EMS/Firefighter Barry Miller, 50, died from injuries sustained when the fire department ambulance he was a passenger in collided with a slow moving backhoe loader. The driver and one other crew member on board the ambulance were not injured. The ambulance was traveling East on Bovee Road in Riga, New York, when the accident occurred. According to media reports quoting law enforcement officials, early morning sunshine and fog were contributing factors to the fatal accident which remains under investigation by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the Miller Family & Friends, Bergen Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief of EMS/Firefighter Barry Miller’s passing.
On September 18, 2015 at 2110hrs, Firefighter/EMT Daniel Edward Hampton was fatally injured when the ambulance he was driving struck the rear of a semi-trailer truck. His firefighter/paramedic partner, Timothy Pierce, and the patient in the ambulance both received injuries and were transported to a local trauma center for treatment. Investigation into the fatal accident continues by local and state authorities.
Our condolences to the Hampton Family & Friends, Burnet Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/EMT Daniel Edward Hampton's passing.
On September 9, 2015 at 1540hrs, while participating in the annual "Fill the Boot" fundraising campaign, Firefighter Dennis Rodeman was struck by a pickup truck passing through the charity event. Dennis Rodeman was transported to Sparrow Hospital where he passed away from the injuries he sustained in the collision. A preliminary investigation of the incident indicates that the driver of the truck intentionally hit Firefighter Rodeman who was wearing a reflective vest and other gear. The driver has been apprehended and is in custody.
Our condolences to the Rodeman Family & Friends, Lansing Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Dennis Rodeman's passing.
On August 31, 2015 at 1700hrs, Firefighter-paramedic Shane Clifton was on duty and working out at the firehouse when suddenly he wasn't feeling well and then collapsed. Firefighter-paramedic Clifton was treated by fellow firefighters and medics at the station and then transported to Regions Hospital, where he succumbed to his injury. The nature and cause of fatal injury, thought to have been a catastrophic cardiac arrest, are still to be determined by authorities.
Our condolences to the Clifton Family & Friends, Saint Paul Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter-paramedic Shane Clifton's passing.
