USFA LODD: Kansas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 11.21.2020

 

While on-duty, Captain Robert “Bobby” Rocha, 59, contracted COVID-19 from a patient with a known case of COVID-19. He was hospitalized on November 12, 2020 and passed away from the virus on November 21, 2020. 

Our condolences to the Rocha Family & Friends, Kansas City, MO Fire Department Fire Department , and to all affected by Captain Robert “Bobby” Rocha's passing.    

To date, 80 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.30.2016

On April 30, 2016 Firefighter Richard Sheltra, 20, died from injuries sustained while operating on the interior of a commercial structure fire at a strip mall in Pineville, North Carolina. A second firefighter was injured in the incident which remains under investigation by local, state, and federal authorities.

      

Our condolences to the Sheltra Family & Friends, The Pineville-Morrow Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc., and to all affected by Firefighter Richard Sheltra's passing.

    

To date, 22 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.) 

USFA LODD: South Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.20.2016

Firefighter Christopher Gene Ray, 42, on March 20, 2016 at 1523hrs, was operating on the scene of a working residential structure fire when he was struck and killed by a fire engine. According to a preliminary description of the incident from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Firefighter Ray was riding on a Conway fire engine when he fell off and was struck as the fire truck reversed over him. The incident remains under investigation by local and state authorities.

      

Our condolences to the Ray Family & Friends, Conway Fire Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Christopher Gene Ray’s passing.
  
To date, 15 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.) 

USFA LODD: Pennsylvania Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.12.2016

Firefighter Earl J. Shoemaker, 68, March 12, 2016 at 0930hrs, was responding to the scene of a house fire on the 500 block of Pumping Station Road when he became ill. The mobile air unit apparatus he was operating left the roadway (Brunswick DR) and came to a stop several hundred feet away. Firefighter Shoemaker, alone in the apparatus at the time, was rescued by local residents and fellow first responders. Earl J. Shoemaker was then transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased from a cardiac related injury.

      

Our condolences to the Shoemaker Family & Friends, Eagle Fire Company #2 – Hanover Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Earl J. Shoemaker’s passing.
  
To date, 14 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.) 

USFA: Three On-Duty Deaths

 

Virginia On-Duty Death:

Lieutenant/EMT John L. Echternach, Jr., 54, of the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department on July 2, 2012. was en route to the fire station in response to an outbreak of severe weather in the area when he stopped to help another driver whose car, according to media reports, was hit by a tree. While assisting, Lieutenant/EMT Echternach was struck by another tree and severely injured. Firefighter Lieutenant/EMT Echternach succumbed to his injuries several days later while being treated in the hospital.

Our condolences to the   Echternach Family & Friends, the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Lieutenant/EMT John L. Echternach's passing.

To date, 46 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.

New York On-Duty Death:

Firefighter Ronald Keddie, 64, of the Sheridan Fire Department on June 27, 2012, at 1300 hrs, while preparing to respond to a motor vehicle accident, Firefighter Keddie was found unresponsive in the firehouse. A cause of death is still pending further investigation.

Firefighter dies while on duty: wivb.com

Our condolences to the  Keddie Family & Friends, the Sheridan Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Ronald Keddie's passing.

To date, 40 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.

 

 Ohio On-Duty Death:

Firefighter Rocky E. Dunkin, 24, of the Nile Township Volunteer Fire Department on July 1, 2012, at 0230 hrs, was found unconscious at the scene of a motor vehicle accident where he had been assisting medical personnel with crash victims.  Firefighter Dunkin was transported to South Ohio Medical Center but passed away from a cause still to be determined.


Ohio Firefighter killed while assisting traffic accident - Charleston - Huntington, West Virginia -- WOWK -- 13News

Our condolences to the  Dunkin Family & Friends, the Nile Township Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Rocky E. Dunkin's passing.

To date, 41 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.

(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.)

3-Alarm Fire Destroys Ballymeade Townhouse, No One Injured

There was a three- alarm fire yesterday, 12/19/11 at 2:30 pm in the afternoon, in the 800 block of West Boxborough Drive in the Ballymeade Community just outside Wilmington, Delaware. The fire destroyed one house and causing heavy smoke & water damage to several other homes.





The Claymont Fire Company responded and was assisted by many surrounding fire companies fighting the townhouse fire. During the fire there was a radio transmission of a “Mayday” in which initiated a firefighter accountability count of all firefighters on the fire ground. All firefighters were accounted for. At 8 minutes 32 seconds into the following YouTube audio, the Claymount DE fire departments “Mayday” call was canceled. The dispatcher working this alarm transmitted that the “Mayday” restriction was lifted with all firefighters on the fire ground accounted for.



The fully engulfed townhouse that caught fire, in flames with fire shooting out top-floor windows and with fire extending into the exposed connecting housing units collapsed into a pile or rubble. The Townhouse was completely destroyed with adjacent homes damaged with one missing a roof, and the other home in pretty bad shape.



Dozens of firefighters were on-scene combating this three-alarm blaze for several hours.



It has been reported the no one was injured in the fire. Official cause of the townhouse fire fire is being investigated. The Red Cross will be assisting & helping the victims of this three-alarm fire who are now without a home days before Christmas Day.


(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.)

National Arson Awareness Week 2011

National Arson Awareness Week is traditionally observed the first week in May, and this year's theme is “Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson.”

The goal of this year's Arson Awareness Week is to zero in on the horrific crime of arson, and to use the week of May 1st to the 7th to focus public attention on serial arsonists and provide law enforcement, fire and emergency service departments and communities with tools and tactics to prevent arson in their cities and towns.

This week being Nation Arson Awareness Week everyone should be aware of the growing problem of arson and it is urged that all should get involved in community efforts to combat this crime that threatens their safety and well-being. Prevention is the best way for all to be protected with ongoing efforts this week to raise citizen awareness of the arson problem and increase communi

ty involvement which will go a long way toward saving lives and property.

Communities can start with a neighborhood watch program to create heightened public awareness of the arson problem and to act as a deterrent to arson crimes by working with local fire, police and code enfor cement to recognize and report unusual activities. Arson can be reduced by having an involved and informed community working together with the fire service and law enforcement.

Here in New York State a call to action came as Governor Andrew M. Cuomo proclaimed Sunday, May 1, through Saturday, May 7, as Arson Awareness Week in New York State. A copy of that proclamation is below wit a link to the PDF file to view.

Governor Cuomo Proclamation

According to the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System data, from 2004 to 2006 an estimated 210,300 intentionally set fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 13 percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 375 deaths, 1,300 injuries and more than $1 billion in property loss each year.

Arson robs communities of its valuable assets — lives and property, Arson destroys more than buildings, it can devastate a community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values.”

Steps that can reduce incidents of arson include:

* Contact your local fire or police department if you know or suspect an arson crime.

* Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to your local fire or police department, or call 911.

* Support Neighbourhood Watch programs.

* Keep leaves and flammable debris away from buildings. Don't make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate a fire's spread to adjacent buildings.

* If you see something, say something.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that from 2009 - 2010 there were 88 reported serial arson incidents with an aggregate monetary loss of $4.8 million. Arson in residential dwellings accounted for 49 percent of these incidents.

U.S. Fire Administration’s Arson Awareness Week web page www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/ has information on neighborhood watch strategies, a new report on Motive-Based Offenders, Analysis of Serial Arsonists, joint fire and police teams and task forces, resources for fire investigators and information on witness-driven investigation protocols.

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This isa blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

USFA Announces the 2011 Arson Awareness Week Theme

U.S. Fire Administration Press Release:

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to partner with the International Association of Arson Investigators; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; USAonWatch; National Association of State Fire Marshals; National Volunteer Fire Council; and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control to announce the theme for the 2011 Arson Awareness Week: Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson. USFA and its partners will use the week of May 1st to the 7th to focus public attention on the value of a collaborative effort with law enforcement, fire and emergency service departments, and the community to battle serial arsonists.

The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week (AAW) is to focus attention on serial arsonists and provide law enforcement, the fire service, and communities with tools and tactics to prevent arson in their city and towns. “A serial arsonist can paralyze a community with fear,” said Glenn Gaines, Deputy United States Fire Administrator. “Each fire feels like a personal assault. Banding together as partners strengthens our resolve and can bring law enforcement, the fire service, and the public together to more effectively fight the crime of arson.”

Many communities across the country are experiencing a rash of serial arson-related fires. Serial arson is defined as an offense committed by fire setters who set three or more fires with a significant cooling off period between the fires. These types of fires are plaguing many rural and urban communities causing significant loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage, adding to the suffering already caused by the current economic climate.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that from 2009 – 2010 there were 88 reported serial arson incidents with an aggregate monetary loss of $4.8 million. Arson in residential dwellings accounted for 49 percent of these incidents. The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2007, three firefighters died and 6,100 were injured during response to intentionally set fires.

According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Report­ing System (NFIRS) data, from 2004 to 2006 an estimated 210,300 intentionally set fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 13 percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 375 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.06 billion in property loss each year.

For more information regarding the 2011 Arson Awareness Week, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/.

For more information regarding the Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation curriculum, or any of the other courses offered at the National Fire Academy, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/.

(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.)

Arson Awareness Week May 2-8, 2010

"Community Arson Prevention"

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces this year’s Arson Awareness Week theme – Community Arson Prevention. The USFA will partner with the International Association of Arson Investigators, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), USAonWatch, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Volunteer Fire Council, and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control.

The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week, which takes place May 2 – 8, 2010, is to focus attention on the horrific crime of arson and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship.

According to the USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the United States each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians. In 2006, ten firefighters died as a result of arson. In addition to needless injury and death, an estimated $1.1 billion in direct property loss occurs annually.

Arson robs communities of its valuable assets – lives and property. Arson destroys more than buildings: it can devastate a community resulting in the decline of the neighborhood through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue, and a decrease in property values.

Communities can develop a Watch Program, partnering with their local fire department, law enforcement, insurance providers, business leaders, churches, and local community groups. Neighborhoods can reduce the likelihood of arson occurring by promoting neighborhood watches and educate people about recognizing and reporting unusual activities along with implementing improved internal and external security for homes and businesses.

A community Arson Watch Program can put the neigh­bor back into neighborhood by creating a sense of coop­eration. It brings the fire service, law enforcement, and citizens together to reduce the crime of arson.

"Reproduced from USFA's Web site, © USFA (2010)."

(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.)

A Fire Department’s Internet Footprint

The first web page or site I build was on GeoCities in 1995 or 1996 and it was my very first Home Page. Thought it was pretty neat to do and it was a FREE service.

Soon after Yahoo bought GeosCities to become Yahoo GeoCities.

It was 1997, after transitioning out of the USAF Fire Protection , I settled down in a nice rural area of Up-State New York and after joining the local volunteer fire department I built my second web site/page for that would be my volunteer fire department’s internet footprint on the web using the Yahoo GeoCitie platform.

It really wasn't hard because Yahoo GeoCities provided you the online tools to give you the results of a simple web page. Keeping it simple is best and it gives you a pretty good product to say, HEY EVERYONE LOOK AT US!”

: )

Just like most people and actually everyone else does now a days, I do like to surf the internet for information. Especially for fire protection & fire prevention information that will make be a better fire fighter for my community.

I normally look at news sites and fire protection & fire prevention web sites mostly combing them online for fire news and/or fire related incident to tweet about on Twitter.

Oh by the way that I tell you. . . that you can follow me on Twitter @FiremanRich .

Some of the local web sites I look at on a weekly bases are linked on the sidebar of Tioga Fire Protection & Fire Prevention. It's amazing to see now that just about all the volunteer fire departments in my county have what I call an "Internet Foot Print."

Several years ago this wasn't the case. Why? Most likely either there was no knowledge to build one, to expensive to build one, or it wasn't worth the time & effort.

Well times are a changing as I talk about the “Internet Footprint” of fire departments in this YouTube video. . . which is another “Internet Footprint” you could say. . .

With new and different ways a fire department is only limited to their imagination on what type of web page/site is best for their department. With the emergence of fire protection blogs, which are on the rise, the “Internet Footprint” just gets better and better. Actually seems everyone is blogging these day. Guess there’s a lot to say out there and there’s a wealth of information.

As I said, one of my favorite fire blogs is The Fire Critic and it sets a good standard of how & what a fire blog should be about. I just think it’s a good example to follow as well as the other fire blogs that are listed in it’s links section.

Now there’s the pod casts from FirefighterNetCast that’s out there on blogtalkradio. “HOLY COW BATMAN! WE CAN HAVE OUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!” lol

I just think it’s great and a big thanks go out to the fire fighters that are providing us with addition knowledge in these pod casts that we probably won’t be able to get anywhere else. The knowledge one gains allows us to do it better in the fire station and on the fire ground.

As a fire fighter, I’m one that always says and will always believe you have to be brilliant in the basics to get the job done. The basic information that’s in these fire web site, blogs and pod casts can only help sharpen our basic fire fight skills of being more aware as well as efficient as a fire fighters.

Be safe and God Bless.

: )

(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.)

ARFF TRAINING: First Responder Safety

Training and being prepared to do what is at hand is important for any critical job. Knowing before hand, or at least having the general knowledge of what is expected of you on any fire ground scene is equally important.

In the Fire Protection Service, if you’re a paid or a volunteer fire fighter, getting and having the required training is of core importance for each one of us. Passing along pertinent training information can only enhance one's ability to perform as best they can when called upon.

We all know as Fire Fighters, EMS and Police that we get “SAFETY” drilled into our heads during all our training classes. There should be no compromise to safety.

In Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) there are many hazards at the crash of an aircraft and the surrounding crash site. On all the responses on ARFF incidents I ensured that I’m safe on my approach into the scene and watch how the fire ground may develop as well as keeping my eyes open to watch my fellow fire fighter’s back. By doing so I knew the fire fighters I’m responding with will be watching my back.

As small aircraft and helicopters have become more complex, technology has provided systems that have enhanced operational safety. In the event of an accident, many of these systems have presented additional hazards to first responders or any potential rescuer at an aircraft accident scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), various manufacturers and first responder professional organizations, has developed training for safety at an aircraft accident scene with the following training modules:

(Click To View):

Module 1: Systems and Material Hazards

(27:06 minutes)

Module 2: Aircraft Type Familiarization and Mission Specific Hazards (7:00 minutes)

Module 3: Command and Recovery

(10:46 minutes)

Module 4: Ballistic Parachute System Familiarization

(21:38 minutes)

Module 5: Systems and Material Hazards for Rescuers

(27:20 minutes)

The primary purpose and goal at any ARFF emergency is to save lives, just like for any Fire Fighting or EMS situation or response. ARFF emergencies have very unique and specialize situations that could entail a combination of a house fire, motor vehicle fire, haz-mat, and medical emergency at one aircraft crash site. Safety is and always will be paramount on any emergency response.

ARFF fire fighters are trained to establish what is called a rescue path to the aircraft once at a crash site, and prepared to battle large volumes of acrid smoke, rapid heat build up, fight fire, lots of fire depending on the amount of fuel is being carried on the aircraft, and perform rescue. The ARFF fire fighter receives training includes structural firefighting tactics, aircraft familiarization, confined-space training, aircraft rescue, vehicle familiarization and aircraft egress.

I feel the above FAA’s training modules are a great training resource for those emergency responders that may be called upon from local community fire departments, medical squads, and law enforcement agencies. Incorporating these FAA Training Modules into a fire department’s or other agency’s training program can only increase the First Responders awareness of the many dangerous hazards that could be present at a aircraft crash site.

Lets Be Safe Out There!

(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.)