Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Donald L. "Donnie" Suggs, 55, of Lillington, died Monday, June 11, 2012. Survived by: Wife, Deloris; son: Johnathan; mother, Hilda Ausley; brother, Ronald.
Assistant Chief Donald L. Suggs, 55, of the Summerville Fire and Rescue Department, on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at approximately 1100hrs, Assistant Chief Suggs had responded to an emergency call. After returning home, he collapsed at about 2100hrs that evening. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away on Monday, June 11, 2012, at approximately 0100hrs from an apparent heart attack. An autopsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Our condolences to the Suggs Family & Friends, the Summerville Fire & Rescue, Harnett County District 11, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Donald L. Suggs passing.
Firefighter Anthony Polk, 31, of the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Fort Yuma Agency on June 8, 2012 died as a result of a single fire apparatus accident that occurred while he and two other firefighters were responding to the scene of the Montezuma Fire south of Tucson, AZ.
Our condolences to the Polk Family & Friends, the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Fort Yuma Agency , and to all affected by Firefighter Anthony Polk passing.
Captain Todd Tompkins, 48, and First Officer Ronnie Chambless, 40, of Neptune Aviation Services, Inc. on June 3, 2012. at 1400 hrs, passed away while fighting the 5,000-acre White Rock Fire which was sparked by lightning in eastern Nevada. On the second run of the day in their model P2V Lockheed Martin aircraft, Captain Tompkins and First Officer Chambless were nearing the wildfire when they crashed in the Hamlin Valley area of Iron County, Utah, near the Utah-Nevada border.
It was estimated that the aircraft held approximately 1,600 gallons of fuel and 2,000 gallons of fire retardant. It was reported that the NTSB, FAA, and U.S. Forest Service officials are responding to the crash for investigation.
Our condolences to the Tompkins and Chambless Familys & Friends, the Neptune Aviation Services, Inc., and to all affected by Captain Todd Tompkins and First Officer Ronnie Chambless passing.
To date, 35 and 36 firefighter fatalities have been
reported to USFA in 2012. 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.)
The Summer is here! Millions of Americans will be having cookouts grilling those hamburgers and hotdogs. It’s important to remember and follow fire safety tips so that all can enjoy a safe summer season at those fun BBQs.
U.S. fire departments responded to an average 8,200 home fires (2005-2009) involving grills, hibachis, or barbeques per year, including an average of 3,400 structure fires and 4,800 outside fires. These fire incidents have resulted in an annual average of 15 civilian deaths, 120 reported civilian injuries, and $75 million in direct property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Home Fires involving Cooking Equipment Report.
July is the peak month for grills fires, accounting for 18 percent of all home fires involving grills, including both structure and outside fires. June and May follow closely with 14 percent and 13 percent respectively.
The NPD group reports that more people are grilling all year round, showing that nearly one-third (38 percent) of American households had at least one meal cooked on an outdoor grill in an average two-week period during the year. Even in the winter months of December, January and February, one-quarter (27 percent) had eaten at least one grilled item in a 14-day period.
Other key findings in this report include:
• Five out of every six grills involved in home fires (84 percent) were fueled by gas while 13 percent used charcoal or other solid fuel. • More than one quarter (29 percent) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio. • In 2009, 17,700 patients went to the emergency room because of injuries involving grills. • Children under the age of five account for almost one-quarter (22 percent) of all thermal grill burns.
NFPA is offers the following safety tips:
• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. • Keep children and pets away from the grilling area. • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. • Never leave your grill unattended.
For more information, visit www.nfpa.org/grilling.
(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.)
