On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, Fire Police Captain/1st Vice President of the Spring Brook Fire District #1 Donald E. Trzepacz, Sr., 67, attended a mandatory meeting at the fire department to review and discuss new recruitment applications. He informed the 2nd Vice President that he was not feeling well, left the meeting, and returned home. He was found deceased from an apparent heart attack the next morning.
Our condolences to the Trzepacz Family & Friends, Spring Brook Fire District #1, and to all affected by Fire Police Captain Donald E. Trzepacz's passing.
On November 26, 2016 after becoming ill while working on a mutual aid fire call with his fire department, Fire Police Captain Merle L. Nell, 78, passed away in the hospital from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported. Fire Police Captain Merle L. Nell was a life member and past chief of the fire company, where he spent 51 years volunteering. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police officer and worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Merle L. Nell leaves behind two sons two sons and two daughters-in-law, one daughter and son-in-law and several grandchildren.
Our condolences to the Nell Family & Friends, Volunteer Fire Company of Vernon, and to all affected by Fire Police Captain Merle L. Nell’s passing.
On April 19, 2015 at 1737hrs, Fire Police Lieutenant Curtis E. Nordsick, 71, responded to the scene of a homicide to assist with traffic control and scene safety. Nordsick reportedly returned to the fire station and, after complaining that he wasn’t feeling well, collapsed. Lieutenant Nordsick was immediately attended to in the fire house and then transported to Memorial Hospital where he passed away. The nature and cause of fatal injury is still to be determined. Our condolences to the Nordsick Family & Friends, the Wrightville Steam Engine & Hose Company #1, and to all affected by Fire Police Lieutenant Curtis E. Nordsick’s passing.
Fire Police Captain John J. Doster, 82, complained of not feeling well while on the scene of a two-alarm warehouse fire in Hulmeville Borough, Pennsylvania. Fire Police Captain Doster was directing traffic on a bitterly cold evening with much of the main street of the borough closed for fire operations. Shortly thereafter, Fire Police Captain Doster departed for home. Within a few hours, John J. Doster’s condition worsened and he was transported to the hospital for treatment. Subsequently, on April 2, 2015, Fire Police Captain Doster passed away at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Our condolences to the Doster Family & Friends, the Edgely Fire Company #1, Inc., and to all affected by Fire Police Captain John J.Doster’s passing.
On October 25, 2013 at 1600hrs while working a traffic control point protecting the scene of a motor vehicle accident, Fire Police Captain David Roland Barr Jr. , 64, was struck by a car and seriously injured. Fire Police Captain Barr was treated at the scene by fellow responders and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries almost two weeks later on November 7, 2013.
Our condolences to the Barr Family & Friends, the Community Fire Company of Perryville, and to all affected Fire Police Captain David Roland Barr Jr.'s passing.
Fire Police Captain David Wintz, 65, of the Bristol Fire Company, on May 16, 2012 at 03:30 hrs, responded to a chemical plant fire in Bucks County, Pa, which was started by a lightning strike. While directing traffic at the scene, Wintz started to feel ill and was taken home. Wintz went into cardiac arrest at home and was then taken to Aria Health's Torresdale Hospital where he passed away from an apparent heart attack.
Our condolences to the Wintz Family, Friends, the Bristol Fire Company, and to all affected by Fire Police Captain Wintz's passing.
At approximately 3:30am a 250,000 gallons holding tank of chemicals was hit by lightning at the Dow chemical plant in Bristol. Fire spread to a second 250,000 gallon tank and firefighters used foam to contain fire but it flared up several times. The fire went to three alarm and fire companies from NJ and PA responded to the scene. Several firefighters needed to evaluated by EMS. Fire command is reporting for residents in surrounding area should limit there exposure to the fumes by staying indoors and closing windows. A press release by the PR department at Dow chemical said the chemicals burning were ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate, chemicals used as a coating in paint.
Firefighter dies after lightning strike sparks three-alarm blaze at Pennsylvania chemical plant
(KDFW | Fox 4) CROYDON, Pa. -- A fire officer died Wednesday morning as crews battled a three-alarm blaze at a chemical plant in Pennsylvania.
The blaze broke out at 3:35am local time in at least one fuel tank at the Dow Chemical plant in Croydon after it was hit by a lightning strike, myFOXphilly.com reported.
No injuries were initially reported, but officials at the Bristol Fire Department confirmed a member of their crew died after suffering a heart attack at the scene.
The fire spread to three alarms before crews got it under control with foam. Hazardous materials crews were also on the scene.
Dow identified the burning chemicals as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, commonly used to make paints. Authorities said there was no threat to nearby homes or businesses.
Footage at the scene showed the charred remains of two tanks. The fire appeared to have blown off the lid of one of the tanks.
A statement from Dow said, "Material that escaped the tanks is contained in surround dikes with no anticipated impact to the community. We do not anticipate any health impacts to the community."
Schools in Bristol Borough were closed because of the fire.
(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.)
