USFA LODD: New Jersey Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.22.2020

On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Assistant Chief Ronnie Cordero, 61, drove the fire department apparatus to a service call at a residence.  During that call, the crew came in close contact with the homeowner who stated that his son tested positive for COVID-19.  He also stated that he had just returned from the hospital with COVID-19 related symptoms.  The following day, the homeowner was transported by EMS to the hospital where he tested positive for the virus.  Some of the EMS and fire personnel that Assistant Chief Cordero came in close contact with during this call and other responses were then tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.  Assistant Chief Ronnie Cordero was hospitalized on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, and passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, from the disease.

  

Our condolences to Cordero Family & Friends, Little Falls Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Ronnie Cordero's passing.

   

To date, 41 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. 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.

USFA LODD: Washington Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.02.2019

On Sunday, September 1, 2019, the Okanogan Fire Department/Okanogan County Fire District 3 responded to the Spring Coulee wildland fire.  Assistant Chief Christian Dean Johnson, 55, and another firefighter were in a brush truck on the north end of the fire when the flames overtook them.  The firefighter with Assistant Chief Johnson was able to outrun the fire, but Johnson was unable to escape.  The other firefighter came back to treat him and called for help.  Assistant Chief Johnson was airlifted to the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA, where he died on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, from the burn injuries he sustained in the fire.

Our condolences to the Family & Friends, Okanogan Fire Department/Okanogan County Fire District 3, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Christian Dean Johnson’s passing.

   

To date, 41 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2019. 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.

USFA LODD: Pennsylvania Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.14.2019

On Friday, August 2, 2019, Assistant Chief Walter Wagaman, 46, was responding to an emergency as a passenger in an apparatus when he was ejected from it.  Assistant Wagaman was treated by emergency personnel at the scene and was immediately flown to the York Trauma Center where, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, he passed away from the injuries he sustained from the accident.

Our condolences to the Wagaman Family & Friends, Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Walter Wagaman’s passing.  

   

To date, 32 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2019. 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.) 

USFA LODD: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.13.2018

On Aug. 13, 2018 at 11:09 a.m., Assistant Chief Jeff Holden, 32, responded to a rescue call for a trapped person that required him to enter a trench on West Ten Road in Efland, North Carolina. At 2:50 p.m., while still working his shift, Assistant Chief Holden was found unresponsive at the fire station. All attempts to revive him by the crew on shift and additional emergency workers were unsuccessful. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.
   
Our condolences to the Holden Family & Orange Rural Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Jeff Holden’s passing. 

To date, 63 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018. 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.) 

USFA LODD: Oklahoma Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.10.2018

On August 10, 2018 Assistant Chief Madison "Maddy" Lee Clinton, Jr., 54, was engaged in fire suppression activities at a residential structure fire.  During the operation, the structure collapsed and pinned him under the roof.  Assistant Chief Clinton died at the scene.
   
Our condolences to the Clinton Family & Friends, Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Madison "Maddy" Lee Clinton, Jr.’s passing. 

To date, 62 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018. 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.) 

USFA LODD: Two West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.24.2018

On March 24, 2018 Assistant Fire Chief Michael Edwards, 46, and Lieutenant Tom Craigo, 40, were killed and three other firefighters were injured when, for a cause still under investigation, the apparatus they were in left the narrow roadway and crashed into a rock wall. At the time, the firefighters were responding to a multiple fatality motor vehicle crash on the West Virginia Turnpike. Of the three firefighters injured, Fire Chief Timothy Walker remains in the hospital in critical condition; Firefighter Billy Hypes is in stable condition; and Firefighter Kyle Jenkins was released with minor injuries.

Our condolences to the Edwards Family & Craigo Family, Friends, Pratt Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Michael Edwards’ passing and Lieutenant Tom Craigo's passing. 

To date, 18 and 19 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018. 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.) 

USFA LODD: Ohio Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.16.2018

After attending an earlier fire department training meeting, Assistant Chief Rodney D. Baker, Jr., 47, responded to a grass fire at 2229hrs on March, 15, 2018. Assistant Chief Baker (Chief 51) was first on scene as the commanding officer for the incident and was back in service at 2336hrs. The following day, March 16, 2018, while attending a family event, Assistant Chief Baker became ill and collapsed at 1638hrs. Family members trained in CPR immediately came to Assistant Chief Baker’s aid while the Pioneer Fire Department and Williams County EMS were called to the scene. Assistant Chief Rodney D. Baker, Jr. was transported to Bryan hospital where, despite all efforts, he later passed away from a reported cardiac event.

Our condolences to the Baker Family & Friends, Madison Township-Kunkle Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Rodney D. Baker, Jr.’s passing. 

To date, 17 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2018. 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.) 

USFA LODD: Wisconsin Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 01.10.2017

On  January 10, 2017, at approximately 0200hrs, several hours after a fire department meeting, Assistant Fire Chief Rodney “Tiny” Menne, 53, was discovered deceased from a heart attack by another Eldorado firefighter at the Eldorado Volunteer Fire Department.

  
Our condolences to the Menne Family & Friends, Eldorado Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Chief Rodney “Tiny” Menne’s passing.   

To date, 04 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.) 

USFA: Rhode Island Assistant Chief LODD: On-Duty Death

Assistant Chief Edward C. Vanner, Jr. of the 143rd Fire & Emergency Services - Quonset ANG Base R.I. on June 17, 2013 at 2000hrs., was found by a fellow firefighter in his office unconscious and unresponsive. Assistant Chief Vanner was transported to Kent Hospital where despite the best efforts of EMTs and doctors from the 143d FES, North Kingstown Fire Department, and Kent Hospital, Edward C. Vanner Jr. passed away from an apparent heart attack.

Our condolences to the Vanner Family & Friends, the 143rd Fire & Emergency Services - Quonset ANG Base R.I., and to all affected by Assistant Chief Edward C. Vanner Jr passing. 

To date, 42 firefighter fatality have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.)