USFA LODD: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 09.23.2020

While on duty, Fire Chief Richard “Rick” Todd, 58, responded to an EMS call where an individual had a known case of COVID-19.  Fire Chief Todd subsequently contracted the virus and passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

Our condolences to the Todd Family & Friends, Saltem Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Richard “Rick” Todd's passing.

To date, 67 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: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 07.20.2020

At approximately 2330hrs., on Sunday, July 19, 2020, Firefighter/Medic Jason Cuffee, 27, was working at the Charleston Fire Department, Station 3.  When he failed to respond to a call, his co-workers became concerned and went to check on him.  They found Firefighter/Medic Cuffee unresponsive. They immediately performed CPR, and was then transported to the hospital where Firefighter/Medic Cuffee was pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of Monday, July 20, 2020.  The cause of his death has not yet been determined.

  

Our condolences to Cuffee Family & Friends, Charleston Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter/Medic Jason Cuffee's passing.

   

To date, 43 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: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 06.21.2020

On Saturday evening, June 20, 2020, firefighters from the Iaeger Volunteer Fire Department, as well as several other departments, responded to the scene of a residential fire.  On Sunday, June 21, 2020, firefighters again responded to the same residence for a possible rekindle. While at the scene, Firefighter Russell K. Roberson, 42, evacuated a home owner from a second residence that had started to burn.  He became ill and while being transported to the hospital, passed away.  The cause of his death has not yet been determined. 

  

Our condolences to Cordero Family & Friends, Iaeger Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Russell K. Roberson's passing.

   

To date, 41 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: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.15.2020

On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Firefighter Zachary S. Blankenship, 26, and the Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at a residential structure.  Upon returning home, approximately 5 hours later, he collapsed.  Blankenship was immediately taken to the Bluefield Regional Medical Center where it was determined he suffered a stroke.  He was later flown to a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia.  Blankenship was pronounced deceased at 1442hrs on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Our condolences to the Blankenship Family & Friends, Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Zachary S. Blankenship's 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: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 01.11.2020

On Saturday, January 11, 2020, Firefighter Mark Horwich, 51, was responding to a structure fire in an engine when it was involved in a rollover crash.  Firefighter Horwich died at the scene from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Our condolences to the Isaacs Family & Friends, Clover-Roane Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Mark Horwich‘s passing.

   

To date, 03 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: Two West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 03.24.2018

On March 24, 2018 Assistant Fire Chief Michael Edwards, 46, and Lieutenant Tom Craigo, 40, were killed and three other firefighters were injured when, for a cause still under investigation, the apparatus they were in left the narrow roadway and crashed into a rock wall. At the time, the firefighters were responding to a multiple fatality motor vehicle crash on the West Virginia Turnpike. Of the three firefighters injured, Fire Chief Timothy Walker remains in the hospital in critical condition; Firefighter Billy Hypes is in stable condition; and Firefighter Kyle Jenkins was released with minor injuries.

Our condolences to the Edwards Family & Craigo Family, Friends, Pratt Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Assistant Fire Chief Michael Edwards’ passing and Lieutenant Tom Craigo's passing. 

To date, 18 and 19 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: West Virginia Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 02.06.2015

Firefighter Garry Rose, 67, on February 6, 2015 at 2355hrs, was wheeling a patient through the doors of the Emergency Room at the Ohio Valley Medical Center when he collapsed and, shortly thereafter, passed way from an apparent heart attack.

  

Firefighter Garry Rose served the community with the McMechen Volunteer Fire Department spanned more than 30 years

Our condolences to the Rose Family & Friends, the McMechen Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter Garry Rose's passing.

To date, 09 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: West Virginia Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.07.2013

On December 7, 2013 at 0530hrs, after responding to the fire station for the report of a motor vehicle accident, Fire Chief Charles A. Pierson suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while boarding the first due apparatus. Although fellow responders came to his aid, Chief Pierson passed away in the fire station from a nature of injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Pierson Famiily & Friends, the Southern Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief Russell Gow's passing.
  
To date, 93  firefighter fatalities 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.)