USFA LODD: California Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.31.2017

On August 31, 2017 while returning from an assignment on the Railroad Fire in the Sierra National Forest, Battalion Chief Gary Helming, 47, was killed when a Ford F-350 traveling in the opposite direction suffered a tire failure, crossed the middle of the road, and struck Chief Helming's vehicle head-on.

Our condolences to the Helming Family & Friends, Los Padres National Forest - Santa Lucia District, and to all affected by Battalion Chief Gary Helming’s passing.

To date, 66 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: Arkansas Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.26.2017

On August 26, 2017 Captain Randy Ray Treat, 71, fell ill while responding to an emergency call, becoming unresponsive, and then passing away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Treat Family & Friends, Kingston Rural Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Captain Randy Ray Treat’s passing. 

To date, 65 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: Alabama Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.13.2017

Lieutenant Dale Clinton “Clint” Hardemon, 58,  responded with the West Blocton Fire Department to a structure fire at 0818hrs on the morning of August 13, 2017. While on scene at the structure fire, Lieutenant Hardemon operated the fire pump on the fire apparatus and also maneuvered fire hose around the structure and apparatus. Fire department units returned to service at 1120hrs. Hardemon then drove the apparatus back to the station with no problems noted. 
  
Later that afternoon at approximately 1410hrs, Lieutenant Hardemon was at the fire station with Fire Chief Joe McCool looking at one of the fire department boats. Lieutenant Hardemon told the chief that he was feeling lightheaded and then fell to the ground unresponsive. Fire Chief McCool immediately began medical care and called 911.
    
Chief McCool initiated CPR and placed Lieutenant Hardemon on the AED; 2 shocks were administered before the arrival of the ALS unit. Lieutenant Hardemon was taken by ambulance to Bibb Medical Center, and then airlifted to DCH Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased that evening from a heart attack.

Our condolences to the Hardemon Family & Friends, West Blocton Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Dale Clinton “Clint” Hardemon’s passing.

To date, 64 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: Kentucky Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.24.2017

While participating in search and rescue training Thursday evening, on August 24, 2017, Firefighter Thomas P. McBride, 60, complained of difficulty breathing. He removed his breathing apparatus, denied medical treatment, cooled down, stated that he felt better and requested to return to the training. Instead, he was assigned to pump operations. A short time later, he collapsed. Resuscitation efforts were started immediately and Firefighter McBride was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injury. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.

Our condolences to the McBride Family & Friends, Campbellsburg Fire and Rescue, and to all affected by Firefighter Thomas P. McBride’s passing.

To date, 63 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.)