USFA LODD: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.08.2020

 

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, Captain Thomas Searcy, 45, was battling COVID-19 when he passed away in the Intensive Care Unit at the Memorial Hermann Hospital. He had been hospitalized for a month fighting the virus. Captain Searcy contracted COVID-19 from exposure in the workplace from numerous fire and EMS calls he responded to where individuals had been diagnosed with the disease. 

Our condolences to the Stearcy Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Thomas Searcy's passing.

To date, 61 firefighter fatalities 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: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.03.2020

On August 3, 2020, Firefighter/Paramedic Gerardo “Jerry” Pacheco, 50, was battling COVID-19 when he passed away.  Firefighter/Paramedic Pacheco contracted the virus from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

  

Our condolences to Pacheco Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/Paramedic Gerardo “Jerry” Pacheco's passing.

   

To date, 46 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: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.20.2020

On July 20, 2020, Captain Leroy Lucio, 62, was battling the COVID-19 virus at a local hospital in San Antonio, TX, when he passed away.  Captain Lucio contracted the virus from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

  

Our condolences to Lucio Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Captain Leroy Lucio's passing.

   

To date, 45 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: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.21.2019

On September 21,2019 while on duty at Houston Fire Department’s Station 27, Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha, 36, suffered a medical emergency and did not survive. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.

Our condolences to the Stavinoha Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha’s passing.

   

To date, 37 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: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.07.2017

Captain William ‘Iron Bill’ Dowling passed away on March 7, 2017, from complications of the severe injuries suffered in the Southwest Inn fire on May 31, 2013, that killed four other Houston firefighters and seriously injured many more. The Southwest Inn fire is considered the deadliest day in Houston Fire Department history. In a statement, the Houston Fire Department said of Captain Dowling that “the incredible strength and bravery he showed as he and his family rebuilt his life – and theirs – after his injuries inspired us all. Please keep the Dowling family and all of the men and women of our fire department in your prayers.” 

  
Our condolences to the Dowling Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain William ‘Iron Bill’ Dowling’s passing.      

To date, 19 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 LODD: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.31.2016

Cadet Steven Whitfield II, 32, was hired by the Houston Fire Department on October 26, 2015, and was a member of Class 2015-G that will graduate in June 2016. On March 31, 2016, Cadet Whitfield collapsed during obstacle course training at the Houston Fire Department Val Jahnke Training Facility. Other cadets, as well as a medic crew, immediately began CPR and tried to lower his body temperature. He was then transported to the Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute where, despite the resuscitation efforts of the medical staff, Cadet Steven Whitfield II was pronounced dead at 1248hrs. The cause of death is still under investigation.

      

Our condolences to the Whitfield Family & Friends, Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Cadet Steven WhitfieldII’s passing.

    

To date, 18 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: Houston FD Fire Captain On-Duty Death Notification 02.21.2015

Fire Captain Dwight W. Bazile, 57, on February 19, 2015 at 1845hrs, fell ill shortly after responding to a residential structure fire with reports of people trapped inside. Captain Bazile was operating inside of the structure with other firefighters when he began experiencing a medical emergency. He was able to walk out of the burning building under his own power, but collapsed outside shortly thereafter and went into cardiac arrest. Captain Bazile was immediately treated by fellow responders and transported to Memorial Herman Hospital where he succumbed to his injury two days later on February 21, 2015.

  

Our condolences to the Bazile Family & Friends, the Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Captain Dwight W. Bazile’s passing.
  
To date, 13 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2015. 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 – Texas Firefighter Fatalities Notification 07.09.2014

Firefighter Daniel Groover, 46, on July 9, 2014 at 1553hrs, collapsed while operating on the second floor interior of a burning residential structure. A Mayday was sounded and Groover was quickly removed from the building by fellow firefighters. Firefighter Groover was then transported to a local medical center but did not survive the injuries sustained in the incident. An investigation into the circumstances of the fire and Daniel Groover’s death is underway by local and state authorities.

All firefighters and departments are considered a big family,” Houston Fire Chief Terry Garrison said during the press conference at KMC. “This is tragic. This is tragic for all of the firefighters and the family. What we learned on June 1, 2013, when four HFD firefighters were killed, is that the community comes together in such an amazing way that it does help us.” 

    

“As with any fire, the firefighters were under the assumption that there was someone inside and immediately made entrance into the residence,” Garrison said. “As they were making their way to the second floor for search and rescue, Groover collapsed and was immediately removed from the house then CPR was started soon after.”

As Firefighter Groover was transported to Kingwood Medical Center, CPR was continued but he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

"We support and keep Groover’s family in our prayers,” Garrison said.

Our condolences to the Glover Family & Friends, the Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Daniel Groover's passing.

   

To date, 50 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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.) 

4 Houston Firefighters LODD: On-Duty Death 05.31.2013

Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, 35, 11 years of service, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001. In addition to Fire Station 68, he served out of stations 51, 39, 83, 73, 37, 60 and 35.

Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, 41,  11 years of service, of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in August of 2001. In addition to Fire Station 51, he served out of Stations 37, 40, 10 and 48.

Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, 29, 3 years of service, of Station 68. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2010 and has served out of Fire Station 68 since.

Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, 4 months of service, of Station 68. She graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy this past April and was assigned to Fire Station 68.

The Houston Fire Department responded on May 31, 2013 to a structure fire at 6855 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX. While battling the blaze, the roof of the motel collapsed, trapping four  firefighters in burning debris. All four firefighters perished.
   
Our condolences to the Renaud Family & Friends, the Bebee Family & Friends, the Garner Family & Friends, the Sullivan Family & Friends, the Houston Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Matthew Renaud's, Engineer Operator Robert Bebee's, Firefighter Robert Garner's, and Firefighter Anne Sullivan passings.     

To date, number 34, 35, 36, 37 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.)