Fire Chief Michael Payne, 58, and members of his department responded to a truck fire on Interstate-65 north of Lafayette, IN, just before midnight on November 7, 2016. After the fire was extinguished, Fire Chief Payne fell ill and collapsed. Lifesaving efforts were initiated and Fire Chief Payne was transported to Indiana University Hospital (Lafayette) where those efforts continued until he passed away at approximately 0145hrs on November 8, 2016.
Our condolences to the Payne Family & Friends, the Brookston Prairie Township Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Michael Payne's passing.
To date, 75 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.)
