USFA LODD: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.22.2020

 

Deputy Chief Jason Dean, 42, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on August 12, 2020, while working a shift at the Clayton Fire Department after exposure on the job. On August 18, 2020, Deputy Chief Dean was admitted to the hospital for complications due to COVID-19. Deputy Chief Dean remained under hospital care until September 22, 2020, when he succumbed to the virus.  

Our condolences to the Dean Family & Friends, Clayton Fire Department, and to all affected by Deputy Chief Jason Dean's passing.

To date, 65 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 04.07.2020

On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Fire Chief James “Tank” Waters, 40, was assigned to work from his residence due to being quarantined for COVID-19 precautions.  While on official duty, he fell ill and suffered a medical emergency. EMS crews responded and treated Fire Chief Waters to where he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Our condolences to the Waters Family & Friends, Tryon Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief James “Tank” Waters' passing.

   

To date, 18 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 03.08.2020

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, Safety Officer Joseph Tucker was driving the department’s engine to a structure fire before complaining that he wasn’t feeling well to his coworkers.  After arriving at the scene, Tucker was immediately transported to the Wayne UNC Hospital where he passed away.

Our condolences to the Tucker Family & Friends, Thoroughfare Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Safety Officer Joseph Tucker's passing.

   

To date, 16 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 01.31.2020

On Friday, January 31, 2020, Firefighter Corbin Rogers, 21, was returning home from a 48-hour shift and aerial training class at the Spring Lake Fire Department when he was involved in a vehicle accident.  Firefighter Corbin Rogers passed away at the scene.

Our condolences to the Rogers Family & Friends, Spring Lake Fire Department , and to all affected by Firefighter Corbin Rogers' passing.

   

To date, 10 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 09.20.2019

On September 20, 2019, While operating a fire department vehicle, Captain Claud Messer, 74, was involved in a vehicle accident on Jonathan Creek Road (Highway 276 North) as he responded to another emergency traffic accident call. Captain Claud Messer passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.

Our condolences to the Messer Family & Friends, Jonathan Creek Fire and Rescue, and to all affected by Captain Claud Messer’s passing.

   

To date, 35 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.04.2018

On July 4, 2018 while responding to a reported traffic incident, Firefighter Michael Goodnight, 55, was involved in a two motor vehicle accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other adult civilians in the second vehicle involved in the accident had to be extricated from their vehicle and were airlifted to a hospital. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident.

Our condolences to the Goodnight Family & Friends, West Liberty Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Michael Goodnight’s passing.    

To date, 50 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.10.2018

On June 6, 2018 while en route to a water rescue at Morrow Mountain State Park with confirmed persons in the water, Firefighter Dakota Snavely, 17, was involved in a motor vehicle crash with a commercial motor vehicle on Hwy 205. Firefighter Snavely passed away from traumatic injuries sustained during the crash. The incident is under investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Our condolences to the Snavely Family & Friends, East Side Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Dakota Snavely's passing.       

To date, 42 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.03.2018

On 05/31/2018 at 2100hrs, Fire Chief Tony Spencer III, 51, finished participating in a Firefighter I & II Hose certification class. A few hours later at approximately 0130hrs on 06/01/2018, Chief Spencer suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence and was airlifted to Norfolk Medical Center. Chief Fire Chief Tony Spencer III passed away on 06/03/2018 at Norfolk Medical Center from the injuries sustained.

Our condolences to the Spencer Family & Friends, Engelhard Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Fire Chief Tony Spencer III's passing.       

To date, 40 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.08.2018

On April 8, 2018 Fire Chief Richard L. Sales, 52, was killed in a single vehicle crash while traveling on fire department business. According to initial reports, Sales was on I-40 Eastbound when he struck barriers in the middle of the road, lost control of his vehicle, and went down an embankment onto roadways below before coming to a stop. The cause of the wreck is still under investigation, but the local news reported it was the same area where a motorcyclist and the driver of a semi-trailer died in separate wrecks on March 31, 2018.

Our condolences to the Sales Family & Friends, Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Richard L. Sales’s passing.    

To date, 26 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 10.09.2017

On October 8, 2017, Probationary Firefighter Jason Keith Hensley, 40, responded to a call for service of a tree blocking the roadway. Firefighter Hensley's POV was parked behind the fire department's brush truck and a police department vehicle was also on the scene. All emergency vehicles had their lights activated. Just after midnight, a pickup traveling eastbound on US Highway 70 approached the scene and failed to stop. The vehicle first struck Firefighter Hensley, who was wearing his reflective gear, killing him instantly, then crashed into the other vehicles at the scene. The driver of the vehicle spent the night in the hospital from injuries received and has since been charged by police with driving while impaired, no operator’s license, reckless driving, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Our condolences to the Hensley Family & Friends, Triple Community Fire Department Inc., and to all affected by Probationary Firefighter Jason Keith Hensley’s passing.

To date, 71 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.17.2017

On  April 17, 2017 at 1345hrs, while on-duty at the Central Alexander Fire Department, Captain Michael "Bubba" Eric Pennell, 49,  suffered a medical emergency and collapsed in the bay of the apparatus room as he completed station duties. Captain Pennell was transferred to the Frye Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

  
Our condolences to the Pennell Family & Friends, Central Alexander Fire Department, and to all affected by District Captain Michael "Bubba" Eric Pennell’s passing. 

To date, 30 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.) 

LODD: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 12.27.2016

On  Sunday, December 25, at 1617 hours, Station 51 was dispatched to an Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA).  Lieutenant Donald “Reid” Key II, 31, responded as the Driver of 516 (Tanker); however, was cancelled upon arrival by the Chief who had confirmed the AFA was accidental and no assistance was needed.  Upon returning to the station, Lieutenant Key assisted several fellow firefighters with washing, cleaning equipment, repacking hose on 511 (returning from 2nd alarm structure fire).  Later that evening after returning home, Lieutenant Key began experiencing a headache.  The next morning (12/26/2016), the headache worsened, at which time Key’s wife drove him to Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC.  After being evaluated, Lieutenant Key was airlifted to UNC-Chapel Hill Hospital where he arrived midday (12/26/2016).  He passed away at approximately 1345 hours on 12/27/2016. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.

  
Our condolences to the Key Family & Friends, Whispering Pines Fire Rescue Department & EMS, and to all affected by Lieutenant Donald “Reid” Key II’s passing. 

To date, 90 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. Yea-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 Fire Chief On-Duty Death Notification 06.18.2016

On June 18, 2016, Fire Chief David K. Britt, 54, suffered a medical emergency at his home several hours after responding to a motor vehicle crash. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.

      

Our condolences to the Britt Family & Friends, Severn Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief David K. Britt’s passing.    

    

To date, 31 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.16.2016

On June 16, 2016 at 1100hrs, Firefighter Joshua Warren, 34, fell ill from a nature of injury still to be determined while on-duty and engaged in physical fitness training at a local middle school. Firefighter Joshua Warren was rushed to CHS-Lincoln Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injury.

      

Our condolences to the Warren Family & Friends, Alexis Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Joshua Warren’s passing.  

    

To date, 29 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.12.2016

On May 8, 2016, at approximately 2200hrs, Hugo Fire Department was dispatched on a mutual aid fire call with the North Lenoir Fire Department. Firefighter Prentice “Jay” Tyndall, 45, responded to the station and was driving an engine and enroute when the call was canceled. Near noon of the following day, Firefighter Tyndall called his wife advising her that he was having severe head pain.  Firefighter Tyndall got out of his car and went into the business he was visiting and asked them to call 911. He was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital. While at the hospital, a CT was performed and a brain bleed was discovered. Shortly after this was found, he was flown to Vidant Medical in Greenville, NC. While at Greenville, a procedure was done to relieve pressure on his brain. He was then flown to Duke University Durham for further treatment. At Duke, surgery was performed in attempt to stop the brain bleed, but despite all efforts, Firefighter Prentice “Jay” Tyndall succumbed to his injury on May 12, 2016.

      

Our condolences to the Tyndall Family & Friends, Hugo Volunteer Fire & Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Prentice “Jay” Tyndall’s passing. 

    

To date, 27 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.06.2016

On June 6, 2016 at 1600hrs, Captain Bradley S. Long, 28, and one other diver were searching for a missing 29-year-old man in Lake Norman when they encountered an emergency. A third diver entered the water after a Mayday was called.  While the two other divers eventually surfaced, Captain Long never resurfaced and was later recovered and pronounced dead at the scene. Rescue crews had been searching Lake Norman for the missing man a day prior to the emergency involving Captain Long. Officials said that the missing man jumped off a boat with two other people. The boat was not anchored and started to float away. The three tried to swim and catch up with the boat, but the missing man was not able to make it back to the boat. While the search for the man was suspended when Captain Long went missing, officials confirmed that the body of the missing man was eventually recovered as well. The two other divers were responsive when taken to the hospital for treatment, one of which has been released.

      

Our condolences to the Long Family & Friends, Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire and Rescue, and to all affected by Captain Bradley S. Long’s passing. 

    

To date, 26 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.07.2016

On May 7, 2016 at 1912hrs, Firefighter John Morris Davis, Jr., 45, responded to a motor vehicle accident and assisted other responders with extrication of one occupant. After completion, Firefighter Davis experienced chest pains. Johnston County EMS started treatment. While in route to the hospital, Firefighter Davis  went into cardiac arrest. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and Firefighter John Morris Davis, Jr. succumbed to his injury.

      

Our condolences to the Davis Family & Friends, Kenly Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter John Morris Davis, Jr.’s passing. 

    

To date, 25 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: 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: North Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.02.2016

On February 2, 2016 at 2129hrs, Firefighter James R. Varnell, 53, was at the fire department attending training. As FirefighterVarnell was preparing to depart, he became ill and fellow responders quickly came to his aid with basic life support measures. As more assistance arrived, advanced life support was provided as James R. Varnell was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to a nature and cause of injury still to be determined.
  
Our condolences to the Varnell Family & Friends, Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department and to all affected by Firefighter James R. Varnell’s passing.
  
To date, 8 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.)