USFA LODD: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 11.16.2020

 
Interim Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan, 42, collapsed in an office of the Oakland Fire Department’s administrative building. Staff on-site began performing life-saving measures until Laffan was taken by ambulance to Summit Medical Center in Oakland. Later that evening, Laffan suffered a prolonged cardiac arrest and, despite all resuscitative efforts, passed away.  

Our condolences to the Laffan Family & Friends, Oakland Fire Department, and to all affected by Interim Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan's passing.    

To date, 77 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.07.2020

 

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Cortez, 42, was participating in a drill at the Mission District Training Facility when he was injured.  Paramedics started immediate care and transported him to the San Francisco General Hospital Trauma Center where he succumbed to his injuries just before 1100hrs.  An investigation into this accident is underway and the cause of his death has not yet been determined.   

Our condolences to the Cortez Family & Friends, San Francisco Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Cortez's passing.  

To date, 70 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.17.2020

Firefighter Charles Morton, 39, Squad Boss on the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew, died during interagency fire suppression activities on the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in California on September 17, 2020. The Big Bear Hotshots are local to the San Bernardino National Forest.  

Our condolences to the Morton Family & Friends, San Bernardino National Forest Big Bear Hotshots, and to all affected by Firefighter Charles Morton's passing.  

To date, 64 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.25.2020

Firefighter III/Paramedic Jose M. Perez, 44, contracted COVID-19 as a result of numerous exposures from positive COVID-19 patients during the course of his official duty for the Los Angeles City Fire Department.  He subsequently passed away on July 25, 2020, from the virus.   

Our condolences to the Perez Family & Friends, Los Angeles City Fire Department , and to all affected by Firefighter III/Paramedic Jose M. Perez's passing.    

To date, 52 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.11.2020

On August 11, 2020, Fire Engineer Peter Hein, 61, was working with the U.S. Forest Service at the Stagecoach Wildfire in Kern County.  He suffered a medical emergency and was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away from an apparent heart attack.   

Our condolences to the Hein Family & Friends, Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Engineer Peter Hein's passing.    

To date, 51 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: California Firefighter, Firefighter Jones, On-Duty Death Notification 02.18.2020

On Tuesday afternoon, February 18, 2020, at approximately 1614hrs., firefighters from the Porterville Fire Department, as well as the counties of King, Fresno, and Tulare, responded to a fire at the Porterville Public Library. Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, 35, and Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, perished in the blaze.  Two teen boys have been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. Investigation into the incident continues.

Our condolences to the Jones Family & Friends, Porterville Fire Department, and to all affected by  Firefighter Patrick Jones's passing.

   

To date, 13 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: California Firefighter, Captain Figueroa, On-Duty Death Notification 02.18.2020

On Tuesday afternoon, February 18, 2020, at approximately 1614hrs., firefighters from the Porterville Fire Department, as well as the counties of King, Fresno, and Tulare, responded to a fire at the Porterville Public Library. Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, 35, and Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, perished in the blaze.  Two teen boys have been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. Investigation into the incident continues.

Our condolences to the Figueroa Family & Friends, Porterville Fire Department, and to all affected by  Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa's passing.

   

To date, 12 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: Calfornia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.02.2019

On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, Captain Paul Rotondaro, 36, while on-duty, left the Merced County fire station to go to the Usona fire station.  Driving a Ford Ranger, Captain Paul Rotondaro was hit by another truck, causing his truck to leave the road and catch fire, killing him instantly.

Our condolences to the Rotondaro Family & Friends, CALFIRE, and to all affected by Captain Paul Rotondaro’s passing.

   

To date, 40 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.29.2019

On Sunday, July 28, 2019, Firefighter Yaroslav Katkov, 29, was on a training hike with his crew in San Diego County.  During the hike, he suffered a medical emergency and was immediately flown to Temecula Valley Hospital in Riverside County where he passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019.

Our condolences to the Katkov Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Firefighter Yaroslav Katkov’s passing. 

   

To date, 29 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.27.2019

On March 27, 2019 while helping with an aerial delivered prescribed burn in the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas, Captain Daniel Laird’s, 41, helicopter went down. Captain  Laird passed away from the injuries he sustained in the crash. Other crew members sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

  

Our condolences to the Laird Family & Friends, United States Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest, and to all affected by Captain Daniel Laird’s passing.     

   

To date, 09 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: Oregon Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.16.2018

On October 16, 2018, Fire Chief Glenn Harman, 64, was found deceased at the fire department. Fire Chief Harman had been reviewing station reports when he was discovered collapsed at his computer.

  

Our condolences to the Harman Family & Friends, Rocky Point Fire & EMS, and to all affected by Fire Chief Glenn Harman’s passing.   

   

To date, 75 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.24.2018

On October 24, 2018, California Office of Emergency Services Assistant Fire Chief Ken Hood, 50, suffered an acute medical emergency during a multi-agency coordination meeting in Quincy, CA. He received immediate assistance from the Quincy Fire Department and other public safety professionals who were attending the meeting.  Despite a valiant effort by first responders and then emergency room personnel, Assistant Fire Chief Ken Hood passed away hours later at the Plumas District Hospital in Quincy, CA.. 

  

Our condolences to the Hood Family & Friends, California Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Division, and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Ken Hood’s passing.   

   

To date, 74 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.09.2018

On August 9, 2018, at approximately 00:19 hrs., in a single vehicle crash, Heavy Equipment Mechanic Andrew Brake, 40, the sole occupant, had been driving northbound on Highway 99 when the CAL FIRE support vehicle ran off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames. The collision happened near Los Molinos in Tehama County. Heavy Equipment Mechanic Andrew Brake was assigned to work the Carr Fire burning in Shasta and Trinity counties.  

Our condolences to the Brake Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Heavy Equipment Mechanic Andrew Brake’s passing. 

To date, 61 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.27.2018

On July 27, 2018 Firefighter/Bulldozer Operator Don Smith, 81, was operating his bulldozer while battling the Carr Fire in Northern California's Shasta County when he was overtaken by flames. Smith's body was found by emergency personnel in the area of Benson Drive and Rock Creek Road in Redding, California. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.  

Our condolences to the Smith Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Firefighter/Bulldozer Operator Don Smith’s passing.  

To date, 58 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.26.2018

Fire Inspector Jeremy Stoke, 37, was killed when he was battling the Carr Fire in Northern California's Shasta County. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.  

Our condolences to the Stokes Family & Friends, Redding Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Inspector Jeremy Stoke's passing. 

To date, 57 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.29.2018

On July 29, 2018 Captain Brian Hughes, 33, and his crew were engaged in tactical fire operations on the east side of the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County, California, when he was struck by a tree. Captain Hughes was treated on scene, but passed away from the injuries he sustained before he could be transported to a hospital.  

Our condolences to the Hughs Family & Friends, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and to all affected by Captain Brian Hughes' passing. 

To date, 56 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.14.2018

Firefighter/Equipment Operator Braden Varney, 36, was assigned to the Madera-Mariposa CAL FIRE unit, which has been fighting the 130-acre Ferguson Fire in the Sierra National Forest. On 07/14/2018, Firefighter/Equipment Operator Varney was working on a ridge to create a fire break. The bulldozer Varney was operating overturned and rolled down the ridge causing Varney to suffer fatal injuries. The wreckage was spotted by airplane on 07/15/2018 and crews reached the site and removed Varney's body on 07/16/2018. 
  
The accident is being investigated by Cal/OSHA.
Incident Location: Mariposa County, in the Sierra National Forest and near the west end of Yosemite National Park. 

Our condolences to the Varney Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Firefighter/Equipment Operator Braden Varney’s passing. 

To date, 53 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.25.2018

On June 25, 2018 Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot while responding to a reported fire at the Covenant Manor, a senior living facility in Long Beach, California. Captain Rosa was transported to St. Mary Medical Center but passed away from the injuries he sustained. A person of interest is in custody and investigation into the incident continues.

Our condolences to the Rosa Family & Friends, Long Beach Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Dave Rosa's passing.       

To date, 46 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.21.2018

Inmate Firefighter Trainee Anthony Colacino, 33, was participating in a training hike when he collapsed just before 0800hrs on April 21, 2018. Fellow inmate firefighters attempted to revive Firefighter Trainee Colacino before other emergency services personnel took over care. Despite all efforts, Firefighter Trainee Colacino succumbed to a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.

Our condolences to the Colacino Family & Sierra Conservation Center - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and to all affected by Firefighter Trainee Anthony Colacino,’s passing.     

To date, 31 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: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 12.14.2017

On December 14, 2017 Engineer Cory Iverson, 32, died while fighting the Thomas Fire near Fillmore, California. The nature and cause of Engineer Iverson's death has not been released pending a Cal Fire serious accident review. Engineer Iverson was part of a multi-engine strike team dispatched from the San Diego area more than a week ago to fight some of the largest fires in California’s history.

Our condolences to the Iverson Family & Friends, CAL FIRE, and to all affected by Engineer Cory Iverson’s passing. 

To date, 84 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.)