On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, while attempting to fill tankers on a wildland firefight involving several local fire departments, Firefighter John C. Cammack, 74, fell from the back of a firefighting apparatus as it was escaping from wind driven flames that had switched direction and burned over their location. A second firefighter, Kyle Perez, was also hanging onto the truck as it drove through the flames and was injured. Perez said that after Cammack fell from the truck, they quickly returned to find him walking towards them, apparently badly injured. As they approached, Cammack first inquired to Perez’ condition, asking if the thirty-five year-old firefighter was okay. Cammack was then treated by fellow responders and both firefighters were transported to the hospital. Firefighter Cammack succumbed on Thursday, June 22, 2017, to injuries sustained. Perez was later released from the hospital.
To date, 51 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.)
