Firefighter William Richard "Dick" Danes, 69, of the Brazos County Precinct 3 Volunteer Fire Department , on May 17, 2012 at 20:53 hrs., passed away from an apparent heart attack while participating in training at the TEEX Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station.
Our condolences to the Danes Family & Friends, the Brazos County Precinct 3 Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fireighter William Richard Danes's passing.
To date, 34 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.
Statement From Precinct Three EMS Administrator David Dibello:
It is with great sorrow that I pass along that Brazos County Precinct 3 VFD has experienced a line of duty death of one of our own. William Richard "Dick" Danes, 69 years of age, passed away Thursday evening while participating in a ladder training evolution at the TEEX Fire Training Field. Although we do not know the exact cause of death, it would appear to be cardiac in nature.
Arrangements are pending through Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan.
We would like to take an opportunity to express our gratitude for the quick and professional response of all involved, including but not limited to the Precinct 3 personnel on scene, TEEX field medics, College Station Fire Department, and the College Station Medical Center staff.
As Chief Burnett stated tonight, Dick left his home tonight happily telling his wife he was eager to go to training and "make it up the ladder." She and all his family seemed very happy with what Dick was doing this evening, and expressed how very much the fire service has meant to him the last few years. It was a dream that actually started in the late 60s, but took him four more decades to get the time to accomplish.
Prior to that, he served in the Air force. He worked as an Engineer. He was a Radio Operator. He was active locally in the citizen's police and fire academies. He belonged to a church. In addition to being a brother firefighter, engineer, veteran, and servant to his fellow citizen, Dick was a Husband, Father, and Grandfather.
(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.)
