USFA LODD: Idaho Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.21.2020

 

On May 15, 2020, Salmon Airbase Manager/Wildland Firefighter Eric R. Ellis, 45, complained of left arm numbness during mandated physical fitness training. The day after the incident, he was hospitalized to treat a heart condition.  Salmon Airbase      Manager/Wildland Firefighter Ellis passed away on May 21, 2020, from an apparent heart attack.   

Our condolences to the Ellis Family & Friends, Salmon Air Base, Salmon-Challis National Forest, and to all affected by Salmon Airbase Manager/Wildland Firefighter Eric R. Ellis' passing.    

To date, 53 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: South Carolina Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 05.22.2019

On May 22, 2019, Fort Jackson Environmental Division personnel initiated a 424 acre prescribed fire operation for wildlife habitat improvements and fuel management. During the prescribed burn, wildlife biologist and certified Wildland Firefighter Angela "Nicole" Chadwick-Hawkins, 45, was assigned a ground ignition operation, utilizing an All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) to conduct the task. At some point while conducting her assigned duties, personnel lost radio contact with Wildland Firefighter Hawkins. A search of her last known location was conducted during which Wildland Firefighter Hawkins’ body was found. At approximately 1230hrs, Fort Jackson Fire Department units were dispatched along with Moncrief Army EMS and Fort Jackson Military Police. Upon arrival, emergency personnel determined that Wildland Firefighter Hawkins sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased by medical personnel. Additional details are pending the completion of investigative processes by the Army Criminal Investigation Division with support and assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as well as the US Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Accident Investigation Team. 

Our condolences to the Chadwick-Hawkins Family & Friends, US Army, Environmental Division/Wildland Fire Program, and to all affected by Wildland Firefighter Hawkins’ passing. 

   

To date, 26 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: California Wildland Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 04.13.2015

On April 13, 2015, Firefighter Raymond Araujo, 37, suffered a heart attack while engaged in a training exercise on the Morongo Indian Reservation near Banning, California. Firefighter Araujo succumbed to his injury after being airlifted to a base camp where he was treated by CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department medics.

Our condolences to the Araujo Family & Friends, CAL Fire, and to all affected by Wildland Firefighter Raymond Araujo’s passing.

To date, 25 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: Idaho BLM Smokejumper Killed LODD: On-Duty Death 09.27.2013

40-year-old Mark T. Urban of Boise died during training when something went wrong with the deployment of his parachute...

Firefighter Mark T. Urban, 40, a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management, on September 27, 2013 at 1230hrs, died from injuries sustained while performing a proficiency jump. Investigation into the fatal incident continues.According to Ken Frederick with the National Interagency Fire Center, Urban had been with the airborne firefighting program for 11 years. He was one of the main trainers, and even developed the rookie training program.NIFC spokesman Don Smurthwaite described Urban as the kind of smokejumper that others aspired to be. "He set the standard for all smokejumpers", he said, adding the comment about how he was the best liked on the team.Firefighter Mark T. Urban, 40, a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management, on September 27, 2013 at 1230hrs, died from injuries sustained while performing a proficiency jump. Investigation in the fatal incident continues.Mark T. Urban, originally from East Longmeadow, Mass., had been a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) smokejumper since 2003. Mark is survived by his wife Rebecca, his parents and his sister.Our condolences to the Urban Family &; Friends, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and to all affected Firefighter/Smokejumper Mark T. Urban's passing.To date, 81 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.)