U.S. Fire Administration
 

Firefighter Fatalities 

in the United States 

in 2010 

September 2011 
U.S. Fire Administration 

Mission Statement 

We provide National leadership to foster a solid foundation 

for local fire and emergency services for prevention, 

preparedness and response. 
Firefighter Fatalities
 

in the United States in 2010
 

Prepared by
 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
 

Federal Emergency Management Agency
 

U.S. Fire Administration
 

National Fire Data Center
 

and
 

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
 

www.firehero.org
 

In memory of all firefighters
 

who answered their last call in 2010
 

To their families and friends
 

To their service and sacrifice
 

“We will never forget”
 

Cover photo courtesy of Rae Stewart. 
Table of ConTenTs
 

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
 

Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
 

Who is a Firefighter? .....................................................................2
 

What Constitutes an Onduty Fatality? .........................................................2
 

Sources of Initial Notification...............................................................3
 

Procedure for Including a Fatality in the Study ..................................................3
 

2010 Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
 

Career, Volunteer, and Wildland Agency Deaths.................................................5
 

Gender................................................................................5
 

Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents .........................................................5
 

Wildland Firefighting Deaths ...............................................................6
 

Type of Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
 

Fireground Operations....................................................................9
 

Type of Fireground Activity ................................................................9
 

Fixed Property Use for Structural Firefighting Deaths............................................ 10
 

Responding/Returning................................................................... 10
 

Training.............................................................................. 11
 

Nonfire Emergencies .................................................................... 11
 

After the Incident....................................................................... 11
 

Cause of Fatal Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
 

Stress or Overexertion ................................................................... 12
 

Vehicle Crashes ........................................................................ 13
 

Lost or Disoriented...................................................................... 13
 

Caught or Trapped ...................................................................... 13
 

Collapse .............................................................................. 14
 

Struck by Object........................................................................ 15
 

Fall.................................................................................. 15
 

Other................................................................................ 16
 

Nature of Fatal Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
 

Firefighter Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
 

Deaths by Time of Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
 

Firefighter Fatality Incidents by Month of Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
 

State and Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
 

Analysis of Urban/Rural/Suburban Patterns in Firefighter Fatalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
 

Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
 

Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
 
aCknowledgmenTs
 

This study of firefighter fatalities would not have been 

possible without the cooperation and assistance of 

many members of the fire service across the United 

States. Members of individual fire departments, 

chief fire officers, wildland fire service organizations 

such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the National 

Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), as well as the U.S. 

Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and many others contributed 

important information to this report. 

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) 

was responsible for compilation of a large portion of 

the data used in this report and the incident narrative 

summaries found in Appendix A. 

The ultimate objective of this effort is to reduce the 

number of firefighter deaths through an increased 

awareness and understanding of their causes and 

how they can be prevented. Firefighting, rescue, 

and other types of emergency operations are essential activities in an inherently dangerous profession, 

and unfortunate tragedies do occur. These are the 

risks all firefighters accept every time they respond 

to an emergency incident. However, the risks can be 

greatly reduced through efforts to improve training, 

emergency scene operations, and firefighter health 

and safety initiatives. 

baCkground
 

For 34 years, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has 

tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and conducted an annual analysis. Through the collection of 

information on the causes of firefighter deaths, the 

USFA is able to focus on specific problems and direct 

efforts toward finding solutions to reduce the number 

of firefighter fatalities in the future. This information 

is also used to measure the effectiveness of current 

programs directed toward firefighter health and safety. 

Several programs have been funded by USFA in 

response to this annual report. For example, USFA 

has sponsored significant work in the areas of general 

emergency vehicle operations safety, fire department 

tanker/tender operations safety, firefighter incident 

scene rehabilitation, and roadside incident safety. The 

data developed for this report are also widely used in 

other firefighter fatality prevention efforts. 

One of USFA’s main program goals is a 25-percent reduction in firefighter fatalities in 5 years and a 50-percent reduction within 10 years. The emphasis placed 

on these goals by USFA is underscored by the fact that 

these goals represent one of the five major objectives 

that guide the actions of USFA. 

In addition to the analysis, USFA, working in partnership with the NFFF, develops a list of all onduty 

firefighter fatalities and associated documentation each 

year. If certain criteria are met, the fallen firefighter’s 

next of kin, as well as members of the individual’s fire 

department, are invited to the annual National Fallen 

Firefighters Memorial Weekend Service. The service 

is held at the National Emergency Training Center 

(NETC) in Emmitsburg, MD, during Fire Prevention 

Week in October of each year. Additional information regarding the Memorial Service can be found at 

www.firehero.org or by calling the NFFF at 

(301) 447-1365. 

Other resources and information regarding firefighter 

fatalities, including current fatality notices, the 

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial database, and 

links to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB) 

Program can be found at www.usfa.dhs.gov/ 

fireservice/fatalities/ 

1 
InTroduCTIon
 

This report continues a series of annual studies by the 

U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) of onduty firefighter 

fatalities in the United States. 

The specific objective of this study is to identify all 

onduty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the United 

States and its protectorates in 2010 and to analyze the 

circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The 

study is intended to help identify approaches that could 

reduce the number of firefighter deaths in future years. 

Who is a Firefighter? 

For the purpose of this study, the term firefighter covers all members of organized fire departments with 

assigned fire suppression duties in all 50 States, the 

District of Columbia, and the Territories of Puerto 

Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 

Guam. It includes career and volunteer firefighters; 

full-time public safety officers acting as firefighters; 

fire police; State, territory, and Federal government fire 

service personnel, including wildland firefighters; and 

privately employed firefighters, including employees 

of contract fire departments and trained members of 

industrial fire brigades, whether full or part time. It 

also includes contract personnel working as firefighters or assigned to work in direct support of fire service 

organizations (i.e., air-tanker crews). 

Under this definition, the study includes not only local 

and municipal firefighters, but also seasonal and fulltime employees of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the 

National Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and State 

wildland agencies. The definition also includes prison 

inmates serving on firefighting crews; firefighters 

employed by other governmental agencies, such as the 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); military personnel 

performing assigned fire suppression activities; and 

civilian firefighters working at military installations. 

What Constitutes an Onduty Fatality? 

Onduty fatalities include any injury or illness sustained 

while on duty that proves fatal. The term “on duty” 

refers to being involved in operations at the scene of 

an emergency, whether it is a fire or nonfire incident; 

responding to or returning from an incident; performing other officially assigned duties such as training, 

maintenance, public education, inspection, investigations, court testimony, and fundraising; and being on 

call, under orders, or on standby duty except at the 

individual’s home or place of business. An individual 

who experiences a heart attack or other fatal injury 

at home while he or she prepares to respond to an 

emergency is considered on duty when the response 

begins. A firefighter that becomes ill while performing fire department duties and suffers a heart attack 

shortly after arriving home or at another location may 

be considered on duty since the inception of the heart 

attack occurred while the firefighter was on duty. 

On December 15, 2003, the President of the United 

States signed into law the Hometown Heroes 

Survivors Benefit Act of 2003. After being signed 

by the President, the Act became Public Law 

108-182. The law presumes that a heart attack 

or stroke are in the line of duty if the firefighter 

was engaged in nonroutine stressful or strenuous 

physical activity while on duty and the firefighter 

becomes ill while on duty or within 24 hours 

after engaging in such activity. The full text of the 

law is available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/ 

cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_public_ 

laws&docid=f:publ182.108.pdf 

The inclusion criteria for this study have been affected 

by this change in the law. Previous to December 15, 

2003, firefighters who became ill as the result of a 

heart attack or stroke after going off duty needed to 

register a complaint of not feeling well while still on 

duty in order to be included in this study. For firefighter fatalities after December 15, 2003, firefighters 

will be included in this report if they became ill as the 

result of a heart attack or stroke within 24 hours of a 

training activity or emergency response. Firefighters 

who became ill after going off duty where the activities while on duty were limited to tasks that did not 

involve physical or mental stress will not be included. 

2 
 

A fatality may be caused directly by an accidental or 

intentional injury in either emergency or nonemergency circumstances, or it may be attributed to an occupationally related fatal illness. A common example 

of a fatal illness incurred on duty is a heart attack. Fatalities attributed to occupational illnesses also include 

a communicable disease contracted while on duty that 

proved fatal when the disease could be attributed to a 

documented occupational exposure. 

Firefighter fatalities are included in this report even 

when death is considerably delayed after the original 

incident. When the incident and the death occur in 

different years, the analysis counts the fatality as having 

occurred in the year in which the incident took place. 

There is no established mechanism for identifying 

fatalities that result from illnesses such as cancer that 

develop over long periods of time and which may be 

related to occupational exposure to hazardous materials or toxic products of combustion. It has proved to 

be very difficult to provide a complete evaluation of 

an occupational illness as a causal factor in firefighter 

deaths due to the following limitations: the exposure of firefighters to toxic hazards is not sufficiently 

tracked; the often delayed long-term effects of such 

toxic hazard exposures; and the exposures firefighters 

may receive while off duty. 

Sources of Initial Notification 

As an integral part of its ongoing program to collect 

and analyze fire data, the USFA solicits information on 

firefighter fatalities directly from the fire service and 

from a wide range of other sources. These sources 

include the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB) 

Program administered by the U.S. Department of 

Justice (DOJ), the National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of 

Defense (DOD), the National Interagency Fire Center 

(NIFC), and other Federal agencies. 

The USFA receives notification of some deaths directly 

from fire departments, as well as from such fire service organizations as the International Association of 

Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the International Association of Fire 

Fighters (IAFF), the National Fire Protection Association 

(NFPA), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), 

State fire marshals, State fire training organizations, 

other State and local organizations, fire service Internet 

sites, news services, and fire service publications. 

Procedure for Including a Fatality in 

the Study 

In most cases, after notification of a fatal incident, 

initial telephone contact is made with local authorities 

by the USFA to verify the incident, its location, jurisdiction, and the fire department or agency involved. 

Further information about the deceased firefighter and 

the incident may be obtained from the chief of the 

fire department, designee over the phone, or by other 

forms of data collection. After basic information is 

collected, a notice of the firefighter fatality is posted at 

the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial site in Emmitsburg, MD, the USFA website, and a notice of the 

fatality is transmitted by electronic mail to a large list 

of fire service organizations and fire service members. 

Information that is routinely requested from fire 

departments that have experienced a fatality includes 

National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)-1 

(incident) and NFIRS-3 (fire service casualty) reports; the fire department’s own incident and internal investigation reports; copies of death certificates 

and autopsy results; special investigative reports; law 

enforcement reports; photographs and diagrams; and 

newspaper or media accounts of the incident. Information on the incident may also be gathered from 

NFPA or NIOSH reports. 

After obtaining this information, a determination 

is made as to whether the death qualifies as an onduty firefighter fatality according to the previously 

described criteria. With the exception of firefighter 

deaths after December 15, 2003, the same criteria 

were used for this study as in previous annual studies. Additional information may be requested by 

USFA, either through follow-up with the fire department directly, from State vital records offices, or other 

agencies. The final determination as to whether a 

fatality qualifies as an onduty death for inclusion in 

this statistical analysis is made by the USFA and the 

Foundation’s criteria as a line-of-duty death (LODD) 

for inclusion in the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is made by the National Fallen 

Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). 

3 
4 

2010 fIndIngs 

Eighty-seven firefighters died while on duty in 2010, 

continuing a second year of substantially fewer firefighter deaths in the United States, where, during the 

previous 6-year period of 2004–2009, the average 

number of annual onduty firefighter deaths was 112. 

The 2010 total includes 15 firefighters who died under 

circumstances as a result of inclusion criteria changes 

resulting from the Hometown Heroes Act of 2003. 

When not including these fatalities in a trend analysis, 

the 2010 total of 72 firefighter fatalities was the lowest 

number of firefighter losses on record over the past 

34 years. 

An analysis of multiyear firefighter fatality trends 

needs to acknowledge the changes from the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act of 2003; therefore, 

some graphs and charts either will or will not indicate 

the Hometown Heroes portion of the total. However, 

this does not diminish the sacrifices made by any firefighter who dies while on duty or the sacrifices made 

by his/her family and peers. 

Moreover, when conducting multiyear comparisons of 

firefighter fatalities in this report, the losses that were 

the result of the attacks on the World Trade Center 

(WTC) in New York City on September 11, 2001, 

are sometimes also set apart for illustrative purposes. 

This action is by no means a minimization of the 

supreme sacrifice made by these firefighters. 

Figure 1 . Onduty Firefighter Fatalities (1977–2010) . 

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

20082009

2010

157

171 

126

140

135

126

113

119

126

121

131

136

119

108108

77

81

106

103

100

100

93

114

105 

452 

101 

Year 

Number of Deaths 

112

108

99

92

106

108

78

72 

plus 1 Hometown Heroplus 11 Hometown Heroesplus 16 Hometown Heroesplus 15 Hometown Heroesplus 13 Hometown Heroesplus 12 Hometown Heroesplus 13 Hometown Heroesplus 15 Hometown Heroes 
5

Figure 2 . Firefighter Fatalities per 100,000 Fires .

Year

Number of Deaths

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2.73

3.34

2.96

4.50

3.34

3.29

3.73

3.79

3.42

2.81

2.98

3.53

3.86 

2.97*

*2010 ratio will be included in the 2011 report.

Career, Volunteer, and Wildland Agency Deaths

In 2010, firefighter fatalities included 56 volunteer firefighters, 28 career firefighters, and three part-time or fulltime members of wildland or wildland contract fire agencies (Figure 3). 

Figure 3 . Career, Volunteer, and Wildland Agency Deaths (2010) .

Firefighter Fatalities

87 Total Deaths

Volunteer

56 Deaths

Wildland Agency

3 Deaths

Career

28 Deaths

Full time

2 Deaths

Part time or 

Seasonal

1 Death

Rural Fire 

Departments

39 Deaths

Urban/Suburban 

Fire Departments

17 Deaths

Rural Fire 

Departments

5 Death

Urban/Suburban 

Fire Departments

23 Deaths

Gender

All of the firefighters who died while on duty in 2010 

were male. This is the first year since 1998 where no 

female firefighters were killed while on duty. During 

the previous decade, 2000–2009, there were an average of four female, and not including WTC, 106 male 

onduty firefighter deaths per year.

Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents

The 87 deaths in 2010 resulted from a total of 83 fatal 

incidents. There were four firefighter fatality incidents where two firefighters were killed in each in 

2010, claiming a total of eight firefighters.
Table 1 . Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents
 

Year Number of Incidents Total Number of Deaths 

2010 4 8 

2009 6 13 

2008 5 18 

2007 7 21 

2006 6 17 

2005 4 10 

2004 3 6 

2003 7 20 

2002 9 25 

2001 8 362 

2001 w/o WTC 7 18 

Wildland Firefighting Deaths	 total includes part-time and seasonal wildland firefighters, full-time wildland firefighters, and municipal In 2010, 11 firefighters were killed during activities or volunteer firefighters whose deaths are related to a involving brush, grass, or wildland firefighting. This wildland fire (Figure 4). 

Figure 4 . Firefighter Fatalities Related to Wildland Firefighting (2001–2010) . 

0 

5 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

35 

40 

15 

23 

29 

21 

19 

22 

11 11 

26 

16

Number of Deaths 

2001 

2002

2003

2004 

2005

2006

2007 

2008

2009

2010 

Year 

6 
Table 2 . Wildland Firefighting Aircraft Deaths
 

Year Total Number of Deaths Number of Fatal Incidents 

2010 0 0 

2009 5 3 

2008 16 4 

2007 1 1 

2006 8 3 

2005 6 2 

2004 3 3 

2003 7 4 

2002 6 3 

2001 6 3 

In 2010, there were no multiple firefighter fatality incidents related to wildland firefighting and, for the first time 

since 1999, no wildland firefighter deaths related to aircraft. 

Table 3 . Firefighter Deaths Associated with Wildland Firefighting 

7 

Year Total Number 

of Deaths 

Number of 

Fatal Incidents 

Number of Firefighters 

Killed in Multiple-Death 

Incidents 

2010 11 11 0 

2009 16 13 5 

2008 26 15 14 

2007 11 11 0 

2006 22 13 13 

2005 19 15 6 

2004 21 21 0 

2003 30 22 10 

2002 23 14 13 

2001 15 9 9 
Type of duTy
 

Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in 

the deaths of 48 firefighters in 2010 (Figure 5). This 

includes all firefighters who died responding to an 

emergency or at an emergency scene, returning from 

an emergency incident, and during other emergencyrelated activities. Nonemergency activities accounted 

for 39 fatalities. Nonemergency duties include training, administrative activities, performing other functions that are not related to an emergency incident, and 

postincident fatalities where the firefighter does not 

experience the illness or injury during the emergency. 

Figure 5 . Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty (2010) .
 

Emergency

55.2%

(48)

Nonemergency

44.8%

(39)

A multiyear historical perspective relating to the percentage of firefighter deaths that occurred during emergency 

duty is presented in Table 4. 

Table 4 . Emergency Duty Firefighter Deaths 

8 

Year Percentage of All Deaths Percentage of All Deaths 

Without Hometown Heroes 

2010 55.2 66.7 

2009 63.3 82.2 

2008 63.5 70.0 

2007 64.4 72.4 

2006 57.5 66.3 

2005 52.1 60.6 

2004 68.9 75.9 

2003 69.0 69.6 

2002 73.0 N/A 

2001 65.0 N/A 

2001 with WTC 92.0 N/A 

2000 71.0 N/A 

1999 87.0 N/A 

1998 77.0 N/A 
The number of deaths by type of duty being per- years, fireground duties are the most common type of 

formed in 2010 is shown in Table 5 and presented duty for firefighters killed while on duty. 

graphically in Figure 6. As has been the case for most 

Table 5 . Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty (2010) 

Type of Duty Number of Deaths 

Fireground Operations 22 

Other Onduty Deaths 18 

Responding 15 

Returning 1 

Training 12 

Onscene Nonfire Emergencies 4 

After 15 

Total 87 

Figure 6 . Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty (2010) .
 

Fireground Operations 

Other Onduty 

Responding 

Returning 

Training 

Onscene Nonfire 

Emergencies 

After an Incident 

22 

18 

15 

1 

12 

4 

15 

0 10 20 30 40 

Number of Deaths 

Fireground Operations 

Of the 22 firefighters killed during fireground operations in 2010, 14 were at the scene of a structure 

fire, and 8 others were at the scene of a wildland or 

outside fire. The average age of the firefighters killed 

during fireground operations was 45, half of whom 

were from career fire departments, just under half 

(10) from volunteer fire departments, and one firefighter from a wildland agency. 

Type of Fireground Activity 

Table 6 shows the types of fireground activities in 

which firefighters were engaged at the time they 

sustained their fatal injuries or illnesses. This total 

includes all firefighting duties, such as wildland firefighting and structural firefighting. 

9 
Table 6 . Type of Activity (2010)
 

Water Supply 1 

Pump Ops 1 

Search & Rescue 3 

Advance Hoselines 10 

Other 2 

Unknown 4 

Incident Command 1 

Fixed Property Use for Structural Firefighting Deaths 

There were 14 fatalities in 2010 where firefighters became ill or injured while on the scene of a structure fire. 

Table 7 shows the distribution of these deaths by fixed property use. 

Table 7 . Structural Firefighting Deaths by Fixed Property Use in 2010 

Residential 8 

Commercial 6 

Responding/Returning 

Sixteen firefighters died while responding to or returning from 15 emergency incidents in 2010. Fifteen 

of the firefighters died while responding to incidents 

and one while returning from an incident. 

Nine of the firefighters killed while responding to incidents died from heart attacks (eight) or a stroke (one). 

Six of the firefighters who died while responding 

to incidents were killed by trauma caused by motor 

vehicle collisions, including three in privately-owned 

vehicles (POVs) and three in fire department apparatus. Of the POV crashes taking a firefighter’s life, one 

occurred on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that struck 

a deer. No helmet and alcohol, the only 2010 incident where alcohol was reported to be involved, were 

contributing factors in the death. In the two other 

separate POV incidents, seat restraints were present in 

both vehicles. One firefighter was wearing them and 

one was not; the latter fully ejected from the vehicle. 

Of the three firefighters killed in fire department apparatus involved in motor vehicle collisions, two were 

not wearing seat restraints and fully ejected when 

their engine was struck at an intersection by a sport 

utility vehicle (SUV). The third firefighter killed, who 

was belted in and not ejected from the vehicle, was 

operating a semitrailer truck hauling a D5 Caterpillar 

plow that did not successfully negotiate a curve. As a 

result of the accident, the firefighter became trapped 

in the cab of the truck and was pronounced dead at 

the scene. 

The one firefighter killed while returning from an 

incident was crushed between a moving tanker and a 

parked apparatus as the tanker backed into the station’s apparatus bay. 

10 
Table 8 . Firefighter Deaths While Responding to or Returning from an Incident
 

Year Number of Firefighter Deaths 

2010 16 

2009 15 

2008 24 

2007 26 

2006 15 

2005 22 

2004 23 

2003 36 

2002 13 

2001 23 

Training	 

In 2010, 12 firefighters died while engaged in training 

activities. Seven of the deaths were due to heart attacks, two from cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and 

one from a documented case of necrotizing fasciitis 

(commonly known as flesh eating disease). An additional two firefighters were killed in a POV while 

they were returning from a fire certification class at 

a local community college. These firefighters were 

apparently involved in street racing with firefighters in 

another vehicle. 

Table 9 . Firefighter Fatalities While Engaged in Training 

Year Number of Firefighter Deaths 

2010 12 

2009 10 

2008 12 

2007 11 

2006 9 

2005 14 

2004 13 

2003 12 

2002 11 

2001 14 

Nonfire Emergencies 

In 2010, there were two fire police and two firefighter 

fatalities where the type of emergency duty was not 

related to a fire. One fire police was struck and killed 

by a vehicle while performing scene safety duties at 

the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Another fire 

police suffered a heart attack after establishing a medivac helispot to evacuate a patient from an emergency 

medical services (EMS) incident. The two firefighters 

both died from asphyxiation in separate incidents. 

The first firefighter was part of a three-person crew in 

a boat and actively engaged in rescue operations when 

the boat was captured by strong currents, struck a 

bridge, and capsized. The second firefighter died as a 

result of oxygen deprivation in a sewer system manhole while he attempted to rescue a member of the 

town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) who had 

lost consciousness after descending the interior ladder 

and falling to the bottom. 

After the Incident 

In 2010, 15 firefighters died after the conclusion 

of their onduty activity. All 15 deaths were due to 

heart attacks. 

11 
Cause of faTal Injury
 

The term “cause of injury” refers to the action, lack of 

action, or circumstances that directly resulted in the 

fatal injury. The term “nature of injury” refers to the 

medical cause of the fatal injury or illness which is 

often referred to as the physiological cause of death. 

A fatal injury is usually the result of a chain of events, 

the first of which is recorded as the cause. 

In 2010, one firefighter was reported to have committed suicide while on duty. 

Figure 7 shows the distribution of deaths by cause of 

fatal injury or illness in 2010. 

Figure 7 . Fatalities by Cause of Fatal Injury (2010) .
 

55 (63.2%) 

3 (3.5%) 

11 (12.6%) 

5 (5.8%) 

3 (3.4%) 

5 (5.8%) 

1 (1.1%) 

4 (4.6%) 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 

Number of Fatalities 

Stress/Overexertion

Collapse

Vehicle Collision

Struck by

Other

Caught/Trapped

Fall 

Lost

Stress or Overexertion 

Firefighting is extremely strenuous physical work and 

is likely one of the most physically demanding activities that the human body performs. 

Stress or overexertion is a general category that includes all firefighter deaths that are cardiac or cerebrovascular in nature such as heart attacks, strokes, and 

other events such as extreme climatic thermal exposure. Classification of a firefighter fatality in this cause 

of fatal injury category does not necessarily indicate 

that a firefighter was in poor physical condition. 

Fifty-five firefighters died in 2010 as a result of stress/ 

overexertion: 

•	 Fifty firefighters died due to heart attacks. 

•	 Five firefighters died due to CVAs. 

Table 10 . Deaths Caused by Stress or Overexertion
 

Year Number Percent of Fatalities 

2010 55 63.2 

2009 50 55.5 

2008 52 44.0 

2007 55 46.6 

2006 54 50.9 

2005 62 53.9 

2004 66 56.4 

2003 51 45.9** 

2002 38 38.0 

2001 43 40.9* 

*Does not include the firefighter deaths of September 11, 2001, in New York City.
 

**Includes Hometown Heroes, one in December 2003, and an average of 13.4 for the years 2004–2010.
 

12 
Vehicle Crashes 

Eleven firefighters died in 2010 as the result of vehicle crashes, down 31 percent from vehicle crashes 

in 2009 and almost 61 percent from 2008. In 2010, 

there were no firefighter deaths that involved aircraft. 

In addition to the responding/returning from an incident and training-related vehicle crash fatalities earlier 

in this report, there were two additional vehicle 

crashes that killed firefighters in 2010: 

•	 While on scene of a mutual-aid wildland fire call, 

a nontraffic vehicle (snowcat) ascended a hill, lost 

traction, and began to tumble down the slope, 

killing the operator as it rolled more than three 

times. Another firefighter was ejected from the 

snowcat but survived the accident. 

•	 A wildland crew carrier, with as many as 12 firefighters in the vehicle, was struck by an oncoming SUV that had crossed over the center line of 

the highway. Several firefighters were ejected in 

the crash and a number received severe injuries, 

including one who died from his injuries. 

Figure 8 . Firefighter Fatalities in Vehicle Collisions .
 

Number of Deaths 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

22 

17 

11 

21 21 

24 

34 

20 

25 

19 

27 28 

16 

11 

1997 

1998

1999

2000

2001 

2002

2003

2004 

2005

2006

2007 

2008

2009

2010 

Lost or Disoriented 

One firefighter died in 2010 when he became lost or 

disoriented inside of a burning residential structure 

while searching for an elderly couple and after having rescued their dog, was reported to still be inside 

of a burning residential structure. Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) crews were assigned and searched 

the structure for the firefighter. After approximately 

10 minutes of searching by multiple crews, he was 

located in a small room behind a closed door. Investigation revealed that the firefighter had become ill and 

vomited into his self-contained breathing apparatus 

(SCBA) facepiece. When he was found, he was lying 

on his back without his helmet, gloves, and facepiece. 

His death was caused by smoke inhalation. 

Caught or Trapped 

Five firefighters were killed in 2010 in four separate 

incidents when they became caught or trapped. This 

classification covers firefighters trapped in wildland 

and structural fires who were unable to escape due to 

rapid fire progression and the byproducts of smoke, 

heat, toxic gases, and flame. This classification also 

includes firefighters who drowned and those who 

were trapped and crushed. 

•	 Firefighters conducting search activities in a residential structure observed fire advancement and 

yelled to the hoseline crew to evacuate. Once 

firefighters exited, they found that two firefighters 

were still in the structure. Fire conditions inside 

had dramatically changed. One firefighter was 

able to make it to within a few feet of the door as 

he was pulled from the structure by other firefighters. Firefighters entered the structure with a 

hoseline to search for the other missing firefighter. 

He was found wrapped up in the ruptured 2-1/2 

inch handline and, although wearing his facepiece 

when he entered the structure, was not wearing 

his facepiece, hood, or helmet. The firefighter was 

removed from the structure, treated by other firefighters, and transported to the hospital by ambulance, but did not survive. 

13 
•	 One firefighter and his engine company arrived 

approximately 20 minutes after dispatch and 

found a working fire in a large egg production and 

processing facility. Two firefighters advanced an 

attack line into the structure but became separated 

from the hoseline and then from each other in the 

interior. One firefighter was able to find a metal 

exterior wall and banged on it until firefighters 

on the exterior were able to cut open the wall to 

allow his escape. The fire progressed and attempts 

to locate the second firefighter were unsuccessful. 

He died of thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. 

•	 Upon their arrival at the scene, firefighters found 

an active fire on the second floor of a residential 

structure. Two firefighters were assigned to go 

to the third floor of the building to look for fire 

extension and to search for victims. When both 

firefighters, who were wearing full structural 

protective clothing, including SCBAs, arrived on 

the third floor, one firefighter reported stable 

conditions by radio to the Incident Commander 

(IC) and requested that a hoseline be brought to 

the floor. A few moments later, the IC observed 

smoke coming from the third floor and attempted 

to contact the firefighter by radio to no avail. The 

IC ordered an evacuation of the building by all 

firefighters in order to account for everyone on the 

scene. In the process of the evacuation, firefighters were observed on the third floor in distress. 

The RIT was deployed to the third floor for 

rescue. Both firefighters were found unconscious 

by firefighters and brought to the exterior of the 

building. Firefighters and emergency responders 

immediately began to provide medical treatment 

for both firefighters and they were transported to 

the hospital but did not survive their injuries. Autopsies and toxicological studies showed that both 

died of smoke inhalation suffered as they fought 

the structure fire. 

•	 Firefighters were requested to assist Department of 

Public Works (DPW) employees with access to a 

sewer system manhole behind their fire station. A 

DPW employee entered the manhole and lost consciousness as he descended the interior ladder and 

fell to the bottom. The DPW foreperson requested 

assistance from firefighters. The fire chief asked 

dispatch for EMS assistance and also started a fire 

department incident. As an atmospheric meter 

from the fire department was prepared for use, a 

firefighter entered the opening. He was not wearing a SCBA or harness. When the firefighter was 

halfway down the ladder, he lost consciousness 

and fell to the bottom. Additional resources were 

called to the scene and both the firefighter and the 

DPW employee were removed from the opening; 

both died of asphyxiation due to an oxygen deficient atmosphere. 

Collapse 

Three firefighters died in 2010 as a result of structural collapses in two separate commercial property 

fire incidents. 

•	 Firefighters found a working fire in an office 

building and initiated an interior attack. Firefighters found fire in the attic of the structure and 

began to evacuate the interior. Approximately 30 

minutes into the fire fight, two firefighters were 

operating a handline on the exterior of the structure when a collapse occurred. One firefighter 

was trapped in debris and was removed by other 

firefighters using hydraulic tools. He was transported to a local hospital and was treated for crush 

and thermal injuries. He was transported to a regional hospital and then to a care facility where he 

died almost 5 months later from injuries sustained. 

•	 A small, intentionally-set rubbish fire had been 

quickly extinguished with tank water and extension into the trusses was ruled out in a vacant 

commercial building. The east wall (sector 4 side) 

of the structure had three large wire glass metal 

framed industrial-type windows. Firefighters 

began removing these windows to provide a quick 

means of egress for firefighters working within 

the structure. As the southern-most window on 

the east wall was removed, it is theorized that the 

entire east wall failed. The east wall was a bearing wall which supported the weight of two heavy 

timber bowstring trusses. The failure of the east 

wall caused total collapse of the bowstring truss 

roof and pushed out the sector 3 wall. Sixteen 

firefighters became trapped and injured in the collapse. Two firefighters passed away from injuries 

sustained in this incident. 

14 
Struck by Object 

Being struck by an object was the cause of five fatal 

firefighter injuries in 2010. 

•	 One fire police was working scene safety and 

traffic control services for a mutual-aid motor 

vehicle crash with entrapment and wires down. 

He parked his vehicle on the side of the road with 

its warning lights in operation and set cones and a 

flare in the roadway to warn approaching drivers. 

A civilian vehicle disregarded the road closure, 

drove over cones, and struck the fire police officer. 

He was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

•	 One firefighter was clearing a fire break for 

containment at the base of a bluff when a burning snag broke loose on top and rolled downhill 

over a small bluff, striking him from behind. The 

firefighter sustained a serious head injury, fractured hip, bruises, and second-degree burns on his 

calves. The impact left him unconscious and with 

serious injuries, including the burns from which 

he did not recover. 

•	 One firefighter was staffing a brush truck while 

fighting a wildland fire when the water tank on 

the brush truck failed under pressure and the 

firefighter was struck in the chest by a piece of 

the tank. The firefighter was killed as a result of 

trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

•	 A firefighter/mechanic was making steering 

system repairs to a brush truck inside of the 

fire department’s maintenance building. As the 

mechanic turned the key to unlock the steering column, the brush truck accidentally lunged 

forward. At the same time the brush truck lunged 

forward, two firefighters were walking in front of 

the vehicle. One of the firefighters was knocked 

clear but the other was crushed between the brush 

truck and a wall. He received a head injury and 

died instantly from his injuries. 

•	 Two engine companies were dispatched to a fire 

in the median of a local highway. Upon arrival, 

engine personnel positioned their apparatus in 

a shielding position to protect firefighters from 

traffic. As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, 

a vehicle crash occurred on the highway behind 

the apparatus. The crash caused one of the vehicles to slide between the guardrail and one of 

the engines. The vehicle entered the fire scene 

and struck two firefighters. Both firefighters were 

transported to the hospital but one of them died 

due to traumatic injuries. 

Fall 

Four firefighters died in 2010 as the result of falls. 

•	 After a firefighter had closed and latched the doors 

at the top of a burning grain silo, he fell 20–30 

feet when an explosion occurred inside of the silo. 

The firefighter was transported to the hospital by 

ambulance but was pronounced dead at the hospital due to traumatic injuries. 

•	 A firefighter working in-station duties experienced 

a fall. Firefighters treated him for a cut on his 

head and recommended that he go to the hospital 

to be checked. Later that night, they checked on 

their fellow firefighter in the hospital and found 

him in better condition than before. The firefighter, however, later took a turn for the worse 

and died from the head injury received in the fall 

at the fire station. 

•	 A firefighter and his ladder company were dispatched to a structural fire in a four-story commercial and residential structure. Upon their arrival, 

firefighters observed smoke and sparks coming 

from a cooking exhaust fan chute. The firefighter 

ascended a ladder attached to the side of the building to gain access to the roof. He was wearing full 

structural firefighting protective clothing, including SCBA. He also carried a water fire extinguisher 

with him as he climbed. When the firefighter 

reached the roof, he lost his grip and fell 53 feet to 

the ground. The firefighter was severely injured in 

the fall and was treated by firefighters and transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at 

the hospital due to multiple injuries. 

•	 Members of a fire department were working on 

the construction of a new fire station to replace one 

that had been destroyed by fire. One firefighter 

died from injuries received on the worksite when 

he fell backwards and struck his head on concrete. 

15 
 

Other 

Three firefighters died in 2010 of a cause that is not 

categorized above. 

•	 One firefighter was struck by an Amtrak train. 

State police, along with Amtrak police and the city, 

investigated the circumstances surrounding the 

death. No foul play was suspected. 

•	 One firefighter was a part of a three-person crew 

in a boat and actively engaged in rescue operations 

when it was captured by strong currents, struck a 

bridge, and capsized. 

•	 During the course of a training exercise, a firefighter struck his elbow on a portion of the body 

of an engine as he removed SCBA cylinders for use 

in the training. He noted his injury to other firefighters but thought that it was insignificant. The 

firefighter signed out of training but approximately 6 hours later awoke and began vomiting. He 

was also experiencing pain is his injured elbow. 

An ambulance was called. Arriving EMS responders treated the incident as a cardiac event based 

on symptoms and transported him to the hospital. 

The firefighter was diagnosed as suffering from 

necrotizing fasciitis (commonly known as flesh 

eating disease). He underwent multiple surgeries 

to attempt to control the spread of the disease and 

was transferred to a burn unit for treatment. The 

firefighter underwent a total of 18 operations during 79 days in the hospital. Although his condition seemed to improve for a time, he died as a 

result of complications related to the injury. 

naTure of faTal Injury
 

Figure 9 shows the distribution of the 87 firefighter 

deaths that occurred in 2010 by the medical nature of 

the fatal injury or illness. For heart attacks, Figure 10 

shows the type of duty involved. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health’s (NIOSH’s) Fire Fighter Fatality Investiga -

tion and Prevention Program (http://www.cdc. 

gov/niosh/fire/) is the leading resource in the 

world for investigations and focused reports on 

firefighter fatality incidents in the United States 

of America. 

Figure 9 . Fatalities by Nature of Fatal Injury (2010) . 

16 

CVA 5 (5.7%)
 

Crushed
 3 (3.5%)
 

Trauma
 20 (23.0%) 

Heart Attack 50 (57.5%) 

Other 2 (2.3%) 

Asphyxiation 7 (8.0%) 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 

Number of Deaths 
17

Figure 10 . Heart Attacks by Type of Duty (2010) .

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Onscene Nonfire

Training

Responding

Other On Duty

After

Onscene Fire 7

Number of Deaths

15

12

8

7

1

NIOSH: Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities Due to Heart Attacks and Other Sudden Cardiovascular Events 

[PDF - 1,134 KB]

fIrefIghTer ages

Figure 11 shows the percentage distribution of firefighter deaths by age and nature of the fatal injury. 

Table 11 provides a count of firefighter fatalities by age 

and the nature of the fatal injury.

Younger firefighters were more likely to have died as 

a result of traumatic injuries, such as injuries from 

an apparatus accident or becoming caught or trapped 

during firefighting operations. Stress-related deaths 

are rare below the 31 to 35 years of age category and, 

when they occur, often include underlying medical conditions. 

Figure 11 . Fatalities by Age and Nature (2010) . 

0

20

40

60

80

100

61 and

over

Under 21 to 25 26 to 30 31 to 35 36 to 40 41 to 45 46 to 50 51 to 60

21

Trauma/Asphyxiation

Heart Attack/CVA

100%

100%100%

67%

29%

0%

100%

71%

33%

0%0%0%

78%

77%

22%

73%

27%

23%

Firefighter Ages
 

Table 11 . Firefighter Ages and Nature of Fatal Injury (2010) 


Age Range Heart Attack/CVA/Other Trauma/Asphyxiation Total 

under 21 0 2 

21 to 25 0 5 

26 to 30 0 4 

31 to 35 2 4 

36 to 40 5 2 

41 to 45 4 0 

46 to 50 8 3 

51 to 60 18 4 

61 and over 20 6 

In 2010, there were no teenage firefighters killed while on duty in the United States for the first time since 

1993. The two youngest firefighters to die in 2010 were both age 20. Both firefighters were killed in separate 

incidents involving POV crashes. One firefighter was responding to a fatal motor vehicle accident on a lo -

cal highway. As he approached the scene, the firefighter, who was not wearing seat restraints, lost control of 

his pickup truck, struck a guardrail, rolled, and was ejected. The second 20 -year -old firefighter died while 

returning from training and riding as a passenger in a car that crashed traveling at high speed while involved 

in street racing against other firefighters in another vehicle. The accident also claimed the life of another 

firefighter (driver) and a private citizen riding in another vehicle in the opposite lane of travel who died from 

injuries nearly 2 weeks later. 

The oldest firefighter killed on duty in 2010 was 86. Operating as fire police, he suffered a heart attack after 

establishing a medivac helispot to evacuate a patient from an EMS incident. 

deaThs by TIme of Injury
 

The distribution of 2010 firefighter deaths according illustrated in Figure 12. The time of fatal injury for 

to the time of day when the fatal injury occurred is four firefighters was either unknown or not reported. 

Figure 12 . Fatalities by Time of Fatal Injury (2010) . 

2300 - 0059 

2100 - 2259 

1900 - 2059 

1700 - 1859 

1500 - 1659 

1300 - 1459 

1100 - 1259 

0900 - 1059 

0700 - 0859 

0500 - 0659 

0300 - 0459 

0100 - 0259 3 

1 

7 

7 

10 

18 

11 

11 

7 

2 

0 

6 

Time 

0 5 10 15 20 

Number of Deaths 

18 
 

 

fIrefIghTer faTalITy InCIdenTs by monTh of year 

Figure 13 illustrates the 2010 firefighter fatalities by month of the year. 

Figure 13 . Deaths by Month of Year (2010) . 

Month of Year 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

4 

4 

6 

6 

6 

6 

8 

7 

8 

10 

11 

11 

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 

Number of Deaths 

sTaTe and regIon 

The distribution of firefighter deaths in 2010 by State 

is shown in Table 12. Firefighters based in 31 States 

died in 2010. 

The highest number of firefighter deaths, based on 

the location of the fire service organization in 2010, 

occurred in Illinois with nine deaths. New York and 

Ohio had the next highest totals of firefighter fatalities 

in 2010, with eight firefighter deaths each, respectively. 

Table 12 . Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fire Service* (2010) 


State Fatalities Percentage 

OH 8 9 

AR 3 3 

NY 8 9 

MS 1 1 

KY 3 3 

ID 1 1 

KS 5 5 

PA 7 8 

DE 1 1 

ME 1 1 

CT 4 4 

WV 1 1 

19 
State Fatalities Percentage 

NC 3 3 

AZ 2 2 

IL 9 10 

MO 2 2 

IA 1 1 

OK 1 1 

WI 1 1 

NJ 2 2 

GA 2 2 

WA 1 1 

SC 3 3 

TX 2 2 

VT 1 1 

MA 2 2 

VA 3 3 

CA 3 3 

IN 4 4 

TN 1 1 

MI 1 1 

OH 8 9 

*This list attributes the deaths according to the State in which the fire department or unit is based, as opposed to the State in which the 

death occurred. They are listed by those States for statistical purposes and for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the National 

Emergency Training Center (NETC). Due to rounding, percentage totals may not add up to 100. 

20 
Figure 14 . Firefighter Fatalities by Region (2010) .
 

t

2- 

1

sWe

4Career - 

eer Volunt

Wildland - 

7 - al otT

alCentr

91

1

4

- 

th 

1

orN

Career - 

eer Volunt

Wildland - 

34 - al otT

ttheas

91- 

7

orN

Career - 

eer 

26

Volunt

- al otT

6

South

1- 

1

3Career - 

eer Volunt

Wildland - 

20 - al otT

21 
Figure 15 . Onduty Firefighter Fatalities 2010 by Fire Department Location .
 

22 
Figure 16 . Onduty Firefighter Fatalities 2010 by Incident Location .
 

23 
analysIs of urban/rural/suburban paTTerns In
 

fIrefIghTer faTalITIes
 

The U.S. Census Bureau defines “urban” as a place 

having a population of at least 2,500 or lying within a 

designated urban area. “Rural” is defined as any community that is not urban. “Suburban” is not a census 

term but may be taken to refer to any place, urban or 

rural, that lies within a metropolitan area defined by 

the Census Bureau, but not within one of the central 

cities of that metropolitan area. 

Fire department areas of responsibility do not always 

conform to the boundaries used by the Census Bureau. For example, fire departments organized by 

counties or special fire protection districts may have 

both urban and rural coverage areas. In such cases, 

where it may not be possible to characterize the entire 

coverage area of the fire department as rural or urban, 

firefighter deaths were listed as urban or rural based 

on the particular community or location in which the 

fatality occurred. 

The following patterns were found for 2010 firefighter fatalities. These statistics are based on answers 

from the fire departments and, when no data from 

the departments were available, the data were based 

upon population and area served as reported by the 

fire departments. 

Table 13 . Firefighter Deaths by Coverage Area Type (2010)
 

Urban/Suburban Rural Total 

Firefighter Deaths 40 47 87 

24 
25 

appendIx a
 

In memory of all firefighters
 

who answered their last call in 2010
 

To their families and friends
 

To their service and sacrifice
 
26 

January 2, 2010–1827 hrs 

Joseph Mack McCafferty, Lieutenant 

Age 59, Career • Lancaster Fire Department, Ohio 

Lieutenant McCafferty and the members of his fire department were dispatched at 1727 hours to a structure fire in 

a two-story wood-frame apartment building. On arrival, firefighters on the scene reported a working fire. 

Lieutenant McCafferty was in command of the incident. At approximately 1827 hours, Lieutenant McCafferty 

told a firefighter/paramedic that he had a severe headache, back and neck pain, and that he felt nauseous. He was 

assisted to an ambulance on scene by other firefighters. In the ambulance, his condition worsened and he was 

transported to a local hospital. 

Lieutenant McCafferty was treated at the local hospital and then transported to a regional hospital. He died on 

January 16, 2010. The cause of death was a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Lieutenant McCafferty was the first 

line-of-duty death (LODD) for the Lancaster Fire Department in its 117-year history. 

January 3, 2010–0515 hrs 

David Allen Curlin, Lieutenant 

Age 40, Career • Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services, Arkansas 

Lieutenant Curlin and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a fire in a commercial occupancy 

at 0445 hours. Firefighters found a working fire in an office building and initiated an interior attack. Firefighters 

found fire in the attic of the structure and began to evacuate the interior. 

Approximately 30 minutes into the fire fight, Lieutenant Curlin and another firefighter were operating a handline 

on the exterior of the structure when a collapse occurred. Lieutenant Curlin was trapped in debris and was removed by other firefighters using hydraulic tools. He was transported to a local hospital and was treated for crush 

and thermal injuries. He was transported to a regional hospital and then to a care facility. He died on May 22, 

2010. Lieutenant Curlin’s death was a result of the injuries he received on January 3, 2010. 
27 

January 13, 2010–0615 hrs 

LeRoy Arthur Kemp, Firefighter/Past Chief 

Age 81, Volunteer • Tioga Center Fire Department, New York 

Firefighter Kemp was at home when his fire department was dispatched to an emergency medical incident in a neighboring town. Firefighter Kemp responded from home in his personal vehicle with his emergency light in operation. 

As he responded, Firefighter Kemp came upon the scene of an earlier traffic crash involving a refuse vehicle. Firefighter Kemp was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the refuse vehicle. He was killed instantly in the crash. 

January 14, 2010–1315 hrs 

Jerry W. Thompson, Firefighter 

Age 55, Volunteer • Linwood Volunteer Fire Department, Mississippi 

Firefighter Thompson was engaged in overhaul duties at the scene of a fire in a manufactured home when he suffered a heart attack. He was treated at the scene by firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) responders 

and flown by helicopter to a hospital. He did not recover and died later that day. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to the National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Report F2010-29 (www.cdc.gov/ 

niosh/fire/reports/face201029.html). 

January 17, 2010–1740 hrs 

Terry Leo Cannon, Major 

Age 51, Volunteer • Buechel Fire Protection District, Kentucky 

Major Cannon and the members of his fire department responded to a fire alarm activation in a residence. The incident was caused by steam from a shower and was concluded at 1340 hours. Later that afternoon, Major Cannon 

worked out at a local fitness facility. After completing a treadmill run, he collapsed at approximately 1740 hours. 

Staff from the fitness facility initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and summoned help. 

Firefighters from the Buechel Fire Protection District responded to the scene and treated Major Cannon. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) was applied and advanced life support (ALS) care was provided by emergency 

medical responders. 

Continued on next page. 
Major Cannon was transported to the hospital by ambulance, and was later pronounced dead. His death was 

caused by a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-08 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201008.html). 

January 26, 2010–1215 hrs 

Henry Sandy, Firefighter 

Age 52, Volunteer • Northside Volunteer Fire Department, Arkansas 

Firefighter Sandy and his spouse, also a firefighter, were at the fire station when the Northside Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire. Firefighter Sandy and his spouse responded to the scene in 

an engine. 

A working fire in a vacant residence was found upon arrival. Firefighter Sandy advanced two preconnected hoselines to the front door of the structure and charged the lines for use by arriving firefighters. Firefighter Sandy carried a positive-pressure fan to the residence, started the fan, refueled the fan, and restarted the fan after refueling. 

Firefighter Sandy stepped off of the front porch of the residence and suddenly collapsed. Firefighters began CPR 

and ALS care was provided by the crew of an ambulance that arrived minutes later. Firefighter Sandy was transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead approximately 45 minutes after his collapse. The cause of death 

was listed as a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-26 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201026.html). 

February 8, 2010–1500 hrs 

John B. Coyle, Jr., Assistant Fire Chief 

Age 63, Volunteer • West Pend Oreille Fire District, Idaho 

Assistant Chief Coyle was helping with the construction of a new fire station for his fire department. He suffered a 

heart attack while working at the site and later died. 

28 
29 

February 10, 2010–1545 hrs 

Stanley Lee Giles, Fire Chief 

Age 69, Volunteer • Linn Valley Lakes Fire Department, Kansas 

The Linn Valley Lakes Fire Department received a mutual-aid request for a tanker (tender) to respond to a structure 

fire. The tanker responded from the station with one firefighter aboard. Chief Giles responded to the incident but 

remained at the fire station. 

The tanker was cancelled while responding and returned to the fire station. As the tanker backed into the fire station, 

Chief Giles was crushed between the moving tanker and a parked apparatus. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-07 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201007.html). 

February 12, 2010–1333 hrs 

Donald Gary Mellott, Fire Police Captain 

Age 62, Volunteer • Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Pennsylvania 

Fire Police Captain Mellott was dispatched to provide scene safety and traffic control services for a mutual-aid motor vehicle crash with entrapment and wires down. He parked his vehicle on the side of the road with its warning 

lights in operation and set cones and a flare in the roadway to warn approaching drivers. 

A civilian vehicle disregarded the road closure, drove over cones, and struck Fire Police Captain Mellott as he faced 

away from oncoming traffic. He was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-06 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201006.html). 

February 20, 1010–1614 hrs 

Jonathan Siemers, Fire Chief 

Age 44, Career • Clay Center Fire Department, Kansas 

Chief Siemers was the first to arrive at a fire alarm incident in a multiple residential occupancy at 1614 hours. The 

building was one block from Chief Siemers’s residence and Chief Siemers walked to the scene in full turnout gear. 

Chief Siemers climbed to the third floor of the building and learned that the alarm was accidentally caused by cooking. 

Continued on next page. 
30 

Arriving firefighters ventilated the building to clear the smoke. Chief Siemers cleared the fire alarm panel, sent 

firefighters back to quarters, and walked back to his residence. When Chief Siemers arrived home, he complained 

to his wife of shoulder pain and left a family outing early because he was not feeling well. 

At approximately 0414 hours the next morning, firefighters and EMS responders were called to Chief Siemers’s 

home for a medical emergency. Chief Siemers had suffered a heart attack. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, 

and EMS responders provided ALS care and transported Chief Siemers to the hospital. Chief Siemers was pronounced dead at the hospital at 0450 hours. 

March 1, 2010–2130 hrs 

Brian P. Waynant, Sr., Firefighter/Inspector 

Age 45, Career • Wilmington Fire Department, Delaware 

Firefighter Waynant was on duty. He was struck by a southbound Amtrak train. Delaware State Police, along with 

Amtrak police and the city of Wilmington, investigated the circumstances surrounding the death. No foul play 

was suspected. 

March 5, 2010–2215 hrs 

Brian Joseph Rowe, Fire Chief 

Age 67, Volunteer • West Forks Volunteer Fire Department, Maine 

At 2153 hours, Chief Rowe and the members of his fire department were dispatched to the scene of a snowmobile 

crash in their jurisdiction. Chief Rowe responded in his personal vehicle, a four-wheel drive, because he knew 

that it would be needed to access the scene. 

Chief Rowe drove approximately 2 miles toward the scene of the incident on an unplowed path. At approximately 

2215 hours, he became ill and called other firefighters by radio to request help. Firefighters and EMS responders 

arrived at his location by snowmobile at 2230 hours. Chief Rowe was in his vehicle and was experiencing difficulty breathing. He was moved to the passenger seat and a firefighter began to back his vehicle down the path. At 

some point, Chief Rowe lost consciousness and CPR was begun in the moving vehicle. 

A medical helicopter dispatched to the earlier crash responded to provide treatment and transportation for Chief 

Rowe. The helicopter crew assisted with treatment to no avail. Chief Rowe was pronounced dead at 2320 hours. 
31 

March 6, 2010–2230 hrs 

Gerald Marcheterre, Firefighter 

Age 50, Volunteer • Borodino Fire Department, New York 

Members of the Borodino Fire Department were responding to a report of a barn that had collapsed under the 

weight of recent snow. Shortly after leaving the fire station on the response, Firefighter Marcheterre began to 

cough and had difficulty breathing. 

Firefighters requested that an ambulance meet them at a fire station along their route. When the apparatus arrived 

at the fire station, Firefighter Marcheterre was removed and found to be in respiratory and cardiac arrest. CPR 

was provided by firefighters and Firefighter Marcheterre was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Firefighter 

Marcheterre was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death was a heart attack. 

March 10, 2010–0508 hrs 

Kevin J. Swan, Fire Police Captain 

Age 68, Volunteer • Beacon Hose Co. No. 1, Beacon Falls, Connecticut 

Fire Police Captain Swan and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a possible structure fire at 

0508 hours. Fire Police Captain Swan reported his response by radio. 

At 0811 hours, Captain Swan was discovered, deceased, in his personal vehicle in the driveway of his residence. 

His death was caused by a heart attack. 

March 13, 2010–0630 hrs 

Donald Willard “Donnie” Adkins, III, Firefighter 

Age 32, Volunteer • Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department, West Virginia 

Firefighter Adkins was a member of a five-person swiftwater rescue team that was deployed to the southern part 

of West Virginia to assist with swiftwater operations. His deployment was under the direct order of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. 

Firefighter Adkins, along with two other crew members, was actively engaged in rescue operations when the boat 

was captured by strong current, struck a bridge, and capsized. All three members of the crew were thrown into 

the rapidly moving Beaver Creek. Firefighter Adkins did not surface. His body was recovered 6 days later about 6 

miles downstream of the incident site. Firefighter Adkins drowned. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-09 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201009.html). 
32

March 21, 2010–1503 hrs

Jeremy Gordon Bolick, Firefighter

Age 23, Volunteer • Blowing Rock Fire Department, North Carolina

Charles Thomas “Tommy” Wright, Firefighter

Age 20, Volunteer • Blowing Rock Fire Department, North Carolina

Firefighter Bolick was the driver and Firefighter Wright was the front seat passenger in a 2008 Ford Mustang. The 

firefighters were returning from a fire certification class at a local community college.

Firefighter Bolick lost control of the vehicle. It crossed the center line, spun around twice, and was struck by a 

vehicle in the oncoming lane. Firefighter Bolick and Firefighter Wright were trapped in the vehicle and died of 

multiple traumatic injuries. Both firefighters were wearing seatbelts and the vehicle’s airbags deployed. The law 

enforcement report on the incident cited excessive speed and poor road conditions as factors in the crash.

The passenger in the other car involved in the crash died 11 days after the crash as a result of injuries received in 

the incident.

Law enforcement investigators were quoted in the press saying that the crash involved street racing between the 

vehicle driven by Firefighter Bolick and firefighters in another vehicle. Speeds during the race on the rain-slicked 

highway topped 100 miles per hour (mph). In December of 2010, an 18-year-old firefighter was charged with one 

count of spontaneous speed competition and one count of misdemeanor death by vehicle.

March 29, 2010–1610 hrs

John Perry Moore, Firefighter/Paramedic

Age 56, Career • Columbus Division of Fire, Ohio

Firefighter/Paramedic Moore was assigned as a paramedic instructor. He worked 24-hour shifts and was based at the 

department’s training complex. When firefighters noticed that his vehicle had not moved, they entered his quarters 

to investigate and found that Firefighter/Paramedic Moore had died. His death was caused by a heart attack.
33 

March 30, 2010–2100 hrs 

Brian Colin “Boo” Carey, Firefighter 

Age 28, Career • Homewood Fire Department, Illinois 

Firefighter Carey was on duty when he and his crew were dispatched to a residential structure fire. Law enforcement officers on the scene reported a working fire with a person trapped inside. 

When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a large home with an obvious working fire to the rear. Firefighter 

Carey and two other firefighters advanced a 2-1/2-inch hoseline through the front door of the home. Once inside, 

they found heavy black smoke about 4 feet off of the floor. As the line was advanced, the smoke level dropped to 

knee-level. 

Firefighters conducting search activities observed fire advancement and yelled to the hoseline crew to evacuate. 

Once firefighters exited, they found that Firefighter Carey and another firefighter were still in the structure. Fire 

conditions inside had changed dramatically. The other firefighter was able to make it to within a few feet of the 

door as he was pulled from the structure by other firefighters. 

Firefighters entered the structure with a hoseline to search for Firefighter Carey. He was found wrapped up in the 

ruptured 2-1/2-inch handline and was not wearing his facepiece, hood, or helmet. Firefighter Carey was removed 

from the building. 

Once outside, Firefighter Carey was treated by other firefighters and transported to the hospital by ambulance. He 

was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

At autopsy, the carboxyhemoglobin level in Firefighter Carey’s blood was found to be 30 percent. Firefighter Carey 

had been wearing his facepiece when he entered the structure. It is unknown why he removed his equipment. 

The 87-year-old occupant of the home also perished in the fire. Firefighter Carey was the first LODD in the 109­

year history of the Homewood Fire Department. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-10 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201010.html). 
34

March 30, 2010–1500 hrs

Dennis Wayne Robinson, Captain

Age 61, Career • Three Points Fire District, Arizona

Captain Robinson was assigned as the Training Officer for the Three Points Fire District. On March 30, 2010, training activities included a roof ventilation and overhaul training session. 

The training exercise was scheduled to begin at 1300 hours. The preparations for the exercise required Captain Robinson to take sheets of plywood and sections of drywall and transport those pieces to the top of the training trailer.

As the training exercise began, Captain Robinson alternated between providing direction to the firefighters engaged 

in the exercise, transporting additional wood and drywall onto the training prop, moving fire equipment, and 

bringing water to the firefighters engaged in the exercise.

As the exercise was conducted, Captain Robinson began to feel ill. At approximately 1400 hours, he went to his office in the fire station to attempt to recover. By 1430 hours, he decided that it would be best for him to go home to 

recover.

As he drove home in his fire department vehicle, Captain Robinson felt progressively more ill. He stopped at Fire 

Station 302 and called for assistance on his cell phone. The fire unit and ambulance assigned to that station were not 

in quarters at the time. In response to his call, firefighters were dispatched to the station to provide assistance.

Responding firefighters found Captain Robinson in extreme pain. He was given oxygen and pain medication by 

firefighters and transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Captain Robinson’s condition continued to deteriorate upon his arrival. As time passed, he was diagnosed as having 

suffered a massive stroke. With no hope of recovery, life support was removed and Captain Robinson died at approximately 0618 hours on March 31, 2010.

March 31, 2010–1400 hrs

Edward Damian Teare, Lieutenant

Age 53, Career • Independence Fire Department, Ohio

Lieutenant Teare and the other firefighters assigned to his fire station participated in a biannual firefighting skills 

training session on the morning of March 31, 2010. The exercise included simulated firefighting tasks and was 

performed in full structural protective clothing, including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Once he completed the evolution, Lieutenant Teare complained of shoulder pain and retired to his quarters. Firefighters were dispatched on an emergency and left the station. Lieutenant Teare did not respond.

When firefighters returned to the station, they found Lieutenant Teare unconscious in his dorm room. He was 

treated and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead due to a heart attack.

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-11 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201011.html).
April 3, 2010–1220 hrs 

Leo Andrew Powell, Captain 

Age 74, Volunteer • Morgan Township Volunteer Fire Department, Ohio 

Captain Powell and members of his fire department responded to a mutual-aid wildland fire at 1220 hours. Captain Powell was the driver/operator of a brush truck. All Morgan Township units were back in service at 1432 

hours. At approximately 1745 hours, Captain Powell became ill at his residence and could not be revived. His 

death was caused by a heart attack. 

April 9, 2010–1737 hrs 

Donald Duaine Schaper, Firefighter 

Age 53, Volunteer • Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department, Missouri 

Firefighter Schaper responded to an emergency in his community. As the incident was resolved and firefighters 

prepared to leave the scene, Firefighter Schaper grabbed his head and chest and collapsed. He was transported to 

the hospital and was pronounced dead upon his arrival. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

April 11, 2010–1555 hrs 

Harold D. Reed, Sr., Firefighter 

Age 74, Volunteer • Peru Fire District #3, Kansas 

Firefighter Reed was assisting with wildland firefighting operations when he became ill. He was transported to 

the hospital by ambulance but did not survive. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

35 

April 11, 2010–0914 hrs 

Garrett William Loomis, Assistant Fire Chief 

Age 26, Volunteer • Sackets Harbor Fire Department, New York 

Assistant Chief Loomis and the members of his fire department responded to a report of a fire in a 20x60 foot 

oxygen limiting silo containing approximately 20 feet of high moisture corn. The fire may have been caused by 

embers from an earlier barn fire. 

Continued on next page. 
36 

Upon arrival, firefighters found a silo with bottom and top doors open, light smoke, and burning embers visible 

inside the bottom of the silo. They formed a plan to close all silo doors and introduce carbon dioxide to smother 

the fire. 

Assistant Chief Loomis climbed to the top of the silo using a ladder chute attached to the silo. He closed and 

latched the doors at the top of the silo, reported the completion of his task by radio, and began to climb back 

down the ladder. 

An explosion occurred and Assistant Chief Loomis was thrown 20–30 feet to the ground. Assistant Chief Loomis 

was transported to the hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the hospital due to traumatic injuries. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-14 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201014.html). 

April 12, 2010–2000 hrs 

Vincent Angelo Iaccino, Captain 

Age 65, Volunteer • Roosevelt Fire District Engine Company #1, Hyde Park, New York 

Members of the Roosevelt Fire District were attending training at the Dutchess County Fire Training Center. The 

company drill involved familiarization with newly acquired bailout systems and SCBA training. 

Captain Iaccino was involved in SCBA confidence course training wearing full structural firefighting protective 

clothing, including an SCBA. Captain Iaccino completed the training and was directed to rehab. 

While in rehab, Captain Iaccino became ill. He was observed rubbing his chest and complained of chest pains. 

He was treated by firefighters and by standby EMS responders. Captain Iaccino was transported to the hospital by 

ambulance. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the emergency room. His death was caused by a 

heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-22 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201022.html). 

April 21, 2010–2130 hrs 

Steven Scott Crannell, Firefighter 

Age 47, Volunteer • Guthrie Center Fire Department, Iowa 

Firefighter Crannell participated in a training exercise with members of his department. An old barn was used for 

live fire training. The training involved hose lays, defensive firefighting operations, and the use of portable water 

tanks. Training was concluded and Firefighter Crannell went home at approximately 2130 hours. 

At 0005 hours, firefighters and EMS responders were dispatched to Firefighter Crannell’s home. He had suffered a 

heart attack. Firefighter Crannell was transported to the hospital by ambulance but died a short time later. 
37 

May 1, 2010–1230 hrs 

John Polimine, Firefighter 

Age 50, Volunteer • Scalp Level & Paint Volunteer Fire Company, Pennsylvania 

Firefighter Polimine was participating in an Essentials of Firefighting program. The training included interior and 

exterior firefighting evolutions. The day started at 0800 hours with student briefings and the collection of baseline 

vitals on each student. 

Firefighter Polimine was the nozzle person for an interior attack evolution. He completed fire extinguishment and 

ventilation tasks. His crew was instructed to back out of the room. Firefighter Polimine was sluggish and was 

escorted out of the burn room by an instructor. 

EMS staff in rehab evaluated Firefighter Polimine and started an IV to rehydrate him. Once the IV was completed, 

Firefighter Polimine was reevaluated and found to be feeling better. Firefighter Polimine was allowed to leave 

rehab after approximately 2 hours to participate in exterior firefighting evolutions. 

Firefighter Polimine participated in a propane fire simulation as the nozzle person. At the completion of the exercise, he was directed by an instructor to drink some water as he took a break. 

As the next round of exercises was started, Firefighter Polimine could not be located. A search of the area found 

Firefighter Polimine unconscious in a portable restroom. Firefighters and instructors removed Firefighter Polimine 

to the ground and began medical treatment. 

An AED was applied and delivered three shocks. Firefighter Polimine was transported by ALS ambulance to the 

hospital where he later died. His death was due to a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-21 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201021.html). 

May 19, 2010–0142 hrs 

Paul Edward Johnson, Fire Chief 

Age 63, Volunteer • Crow Roost Fire Department, Oklahoma 

The Crow Roost Fire Department received notification from the local dispatch center of a structure fire involving a house in the Crow Roost Fire District. Chief Johnson responded to the fire station from his residence in his 

personal vehicle. 

Chief Johnson was the first member of the fire department to arrive at the station after receiving the call. Chief 

Johnson entered the fire station, placed his protective firefighting clothing on Crow Roost Pumper 2, and opened 

the manual apparatus bay doors. 

Continued on next page. 
Another firefighter arrived, boarded the apparatus, and the unit responded from quarters. During the response, 

Chief Johnson reported that he did not feel well. Shortly thereafter, Chief Johnson slowed the truck and told the 

firefighter to “take the wheel.” Chief Johnson then slumped back in the driver’s seat. The firefighter was able to 

reach the brake pedal and brought the truck to a stop in the middle of the road. Chief Johnson was now unresponsive. The firefighter transmitted a Mayday on the truck radio, and then called the local dispatch center, via 

cell phone, to request a ground ambulance to respond to their location at approximately 0200 hours. 

Other firefighters arrived and performed a rapid medical assessment on Chief Johnson. They found that he was 

not breathing and confirmed that he had no pulse. One firefighter immediately began CPR while another retrieved an AED and oxygen from an apparatus compartment. The AED delivered a shock but did not restore a 

pulse. As a result, CPR was continued. 

An ALS ambulance arrived and transported Chief Johnson to the hospital. Care was continued in the emergency 

room until Chief Johnson was pronounced dead at 0311 hours. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

May 22, 2010–2055 hrs 

John Bradford Glaser, Firefighter 

Age 33, Career • Shawnee Fire Department, Kansas 

The Shawnee Fire Department received a residential fire alarm report at 2052 hours and dispatched a single company. Additional calls reporting a working fire generated the response of a full alarm assignment of three engines, 

two quints, a Command Officer, and a medic unit. 

Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a working fire in a 6,000-square-foot residence. Firefighter Glaser 

was assigned search and rescue of the structure with his company officer. Bystanders reported that a dog and an 

elderly couple might be inside of the structure. Firefighter Glaser broke out a side window by the front door and 

unlocked the door. Heavy black smoke began to pour out of the broken window as he worked. 

Firefighter Glaser and his company officer entered the structure and began a search. As they searched, Firefighter 

Glaser advanced an uncharged 1-3/4-inch handline and a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC). They located the family 

dog and carried it to the front door, where it was handed to other firefighters. 

Firefighter Glaser and his company officer reentered the structure to continue the search. They were joined by 

another crew. Shortly thereafter, Firefighter Glaser’s company officer was heard calling for him. The second crew 

scanned the area with their TIC in an attempt to find Firefighter Glaser. 

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) crews were assigned and searched the structure for Firefighter Glaser. After approximately 10 minutes of searching by multiple crews, Firefighter Glaser was located in a small room behind a 

closed door. He was removed from the structure by firefighters and treated. Firefighter Glaser was transported to 

the hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead. 

Investigation revealed that Firefighter Glaser had become ill and vomited into his SCBA facepiece. When he was found, 

he was lying on his back without his helmet, gloves, and facepiece. His death was caused by smoke inhalation. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-13 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201013.html). 

38 
May 22, 2010–2114 hrs 

Kurt Michael Meusel, Firefighter 

Age 25, Volunteer • Scales Mound Fire Protection District, Illinois 

Firefighter Meusel responded on his 4-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to a search operation for an elderly 

man with dementia that was reported lost in a wooded area. As he responded, Firefighter Meusel struck a deer in 

the roadway and was thrown from his vehicle. 

A passing motorist reported the crash. Firefighters responded and provided treatment for Firefighter Meusel but 

he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head. Firefighter Meusel 

was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. 

The subject of the original search arrived home from a walk as firefighters spoke with his spouse. 

May 23, 2010–0210 hrs 

David Joseph Irr, Fire Captain 

Age 49, Career • Yuma Rural/Metro Fire Department, Arizona 

Captain Irr worked overtime from approximately 1945 hours on May 21, 2010, until his regular shift began at 0700 

hours on May 22, 2010. During the shift, Captain Irr conducted water supply training, assisted crew members with 

maintenance of a folding water tank, and responded to two emergency incidents. 

Captain Irr was heard sending an incident report by fax at approximately 0210 hours on May 23, 2010. The next 

morning at shift change, firefighters found Captain Irr deceased in his bunk. The cause of death was a heart attack. 

May 29, 2010–Time Unknown 

Donald A. Schneider, Jr., Firefighter/Fire Inspector 

Age 63, Volunteer • Belleville Fire Department, Wisconsin 

Firefighter Schneider was completing paperwork associated with his duties as the department’s fire inspector in the 

fire station. He suffered a heart attack and died. He was discovered some time later by other firefighters. 

39 
40

June 1, 2010–1503 hrs

Edward J. Eckert, Firefighter

Age 71, Volunteer • Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, New Jersey

Firefighter Eckert and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a smoke condition in a residence. 

Firefighter Eckert rose from a chair to respond and collapsed. His speech was slurred and he did not have a 

memory of falling.

Firefighters responded to Firefighter Eckert’s residence and assisted EMS responders with care. Firefighter Eckert 

was transported by ambulance to the hospital and then transported by air ambulance to a regional-care facility. 

Firefighter Eckert died on June 6, 2010, as the result of a CVA.

June 19, 2010–Time Unknown

Scott W. Davis, Firefighter

Age 46, Career • Oswego Fire Department, New York

Firefighter Davis and other firefighters responded to an emergency medical incident that concluded at 2300 hours 

on June 18, 2010. He went off duty the next morning and traveled with his family. Firefighter Davis suffered a 

heart attack later in the day on June 20, 2010, and died.

June 22, 2010–1900 hrs

Terrell Gene Nielsen, Sr., Firefighter

Age 56, Volunteer • Bryan County Fire Department, Georgia

Firefighter Nielsen attended training at the fire station on June 22, 2010. During the course of the training exercise, Firefighter Nielsen struck his elbow on a portion of the body of an engine as he removed SCBA cylinders 

for use in the training. He noted his injury to other firefighters but thought that it was insignificant. Firefighter 

Nielsen signed out of training at 2100 hours.

At approximately 0300 hours the next morning, Firefighter Nielsen awoke and began vomiting. He was experiencing pain is his injured elbow. An ambulance was called. Arriving EMS responders treated the incident as a 

cardiac event based on Firefighter Nielsen’s symptoms and transported him to the hospital.

Continued on next page.
41 

Firefighter Nielsen was diagnosed as suffering from necrotizing fasciitis (commonly known as flesh eating disease). He underwent multiple surgeries to attempt to control the spread of the disease and was transferred to a 

burn unit for treatment on June 26, 2010. 

Firefighter Nielsen underwent a total of 18 operations during 79 days in the hospital. Although his condition 

seemed to improve for a time, he died on September 9, 2010, as a result of complications related to the injury. 

June 23, 2010–1530 hrs 

Chet D. Bauermeister, Fire Chief 

Age 46, Volunteer • Franklin County Fire District 4, Washington 

Chief Bauermeister and the members of his fire department responded to a mutual-aid wildland fire. Chief Bauermeister and another firefighter staffed a converted snowcat-type ATV equipped with a water tank and pump. 

As the snowcat ascended a hill, it lost traction and began to tumble down the slope. The passenger was ejected 

during the roll. Chief Bauermeister remained in the vehicle as it rolled 3.5 times. He was pinned in the wreckage. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) gained access to the wreckage and assessed Chief 

Bauermeister’s condition and found him to be deceased. He died of multiple traumatic injuries. 

Neither occupant of the snowcat was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-15 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201015.html). 

June 27, 2010–1800 hrs 

Cecil Jay Brown, Fire Chief 

Age 42, Volunteer • Gresston Volunteer Fire Department, Georgia 

After the passage of a thunderstorm, Chief Brown and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a 

roadway in their district that was blocked by a large fallen tree. Chief Brown responded to the scene and assisted 

firefighters in removal of the tree, including the use of a chain saw. 

Chief Brown left the scene suddenly in his personal vehicle. He encountered another firefighter and motioned for 

the firefighter to follow him. Chief Brown pulled off of the road and got into the passenger seat of his vehicle. 

Chief Brown was having difficulty breathing and asked the firefighter to drive him to the hospital. 

When the firefighter noticed that Chief Brown had become unconscious, he pulled off the road, removed Chief 

Brown from his vehicle, and started CPR. EMS responders arrived, provided treatment, and transported Chief 

Brown to the hospital. Chief Brown died as the result of a heart attack. 
42 

June 30, 2010–1140 hrs 

Charles Phillip Hornberger, Engineer 

Age 60, Volunteer • Milmont Park Fire Company Station #49, Pennsylvania 

Engineer Hornberger responded to his fire station when his department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm. 

When he arrived at the station, he attempted to get into the driver’s seat of the engine for the response but felt 

dizzy and told other firefighters that he was going to standby at the station. 

At approximately 1200 hours, the incident was concluded and Engineer Hornberger went home. At 1515 hours, 

Engineer Hornberger suffered a heart attack at home. He was transported to the hospital but did not recover. He 

died as a result of the heart attack on July 12, 2010. 

July 1, 2010–1045 hrs 

Charles Robert “Bob” Flintom, Engineer 

Age 61, Career • Pelham Batesville Fire Department, South Carolina 

Engineer Flintom had been on light duty for some time due to medical issues. Engineer Flintom’s duties were limited to in-station duties including apparatus checks, SCBA maintenance, and station cleaning duties. 

At approximately 1045 hours, Engineer Flintom experienced a fall in the fire station. Firefighters treated him for 

a cut on his head and recommended that he go to the hospital to be checked. Engineer Flintom agreed to call his 

wife and have her take him to the emergency room. 

Firefighters checked on Engineer Flintom in the hospital later that night and found him in better condition than 

before. Engineer Flintom, however, later took a turn for the worse and died on July 4, 2010. His death was 

caused by a head injury received in the fall at the fire station. 

July 1, 2010–1310 hrs 

Frank William Fouts, V, Lieutenant 

Age 37, Career • City of Kankakee Fire Department, Illinois 

Lieutenant Fouts responded to several emergency medical and fire incidents while working his shift from June 30, 

2010, to the morning of July 1, 2010. At 1310 hours on July 1, 2010, Lieutenant Fouts was discovered unconscious 

in the back yard of his home. He was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead of a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-23 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201023.html). 
43

July 3, 2010–2141 hrs

Thomas T. Araguz, III, Captain

Age 30, Volunteer • Wharton Volunteer Fire Department, Texas

Captain Araguz and his engine company arrived approximately 20 minutes after dispatch and found a working fire 

in a large egg production and processing facility. Captain Araguz and another captain advanced an attack line into 

the structure. The captains became separated from the hoseline and then from each other in the interior.

The other captain with Captain Araguz was able to find a metal exterior wall and banged on it until firefighters on 

the exterior were able to cut open the wall to allow his escape. The fire progressed and attempts to locate Captain 

Araguz were unsuccessful. He died of thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office prepared a detailed report on this incident. The report is available at www.

tdi.state.tx.us/reports/fire/documents/fmloddaraguz.pdf

July 9, 2010–1030 hrs

Douglas Lee Smith, Firefighter/Chief Driver

Age 50, Volunteer • Liberty Hose Company No. 1, Williamstown, Pennsylvania

Firefighter Smith arrived at his fire station to respond to a structure fire. He took his position in the driver’s seat 

of the apparatus and began to exhibit signs of illness. The officer of the apparatus called for emergency medical 

assistance.

Firefighter Smith was treated at the fire station and went into cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment. He was 

transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. His death was caused by a heart attack.

July 14, 2010–1545 hrs

Richard Lawrence Springman, Firefighter

Age 20, Volunteer • Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company, Pennsylvania

Firefighter Springman was responding to a fatal crash on a local highway. As he approached the scene, he lost 

control of his pickup truck and struck a guardrail. News reports stated that Firefighter Springman oversteered, 

causing his truck to travel sideways into the guardrail. The vehicle rolled, ejecting Firefighter Springman. The 

vehicle came to rest approximately 300 yards from the original crash incident scene. Firefighter Springman was 

not wearing a seatbelt and was killed due to multiple traumas.
44

July 23, 2010–1830 hrs

Steven Nelson Costello, Lieutenant

Age 46, Career • Burlington Fire Department, Vermont

Lieutenant Costello was on duty and responded to three emergency incidents during the first part of his shift. At 

1800 hours, his company returned to quarters from their last response. Lieutenant Costello donned his workout 

clothing and told his crew that he was going to work out.

Approximately 15 minutes later, Lieutenant Costello was discovered beside the treadmill, unconscious. Firefighters 

provided CPR and applied an AED. Lieutenant Costello was transported to the hospital by ambulance. He died on 

July 30, 2010, as the result of a heart attack.

July 25, 2010–1537 hrs

David A. Sullivan, Firefighter

Age 70, Volunteer • Otis Fire Department, Massachusetts

Firefighter Sullivan and the members of his fire department assisted with a structure fire in a neighboring community on July 24, 2010. The last Otis unit cleared at 1815 hours. Firefighter Sullivan died of a heart attack the next day.

July 24, 2010–1553 hrs

Steven John Velasquez, Lieutenant

Age 40, Career • Bridgeport Fire Department, Connecticut

Michel Baik, Firefighter

Age 49, Career • Bridgeport Fire Department, Connecticut

Lieutenant Velasquez and Firefighter Baik were on duty at their regular assignment at Ladder 11. The unit was 

dispatched at 1549 hours to respond to a residential structure fire.

Upon their arrival at the scene, firefighters found an active fire on the second floor of the residence. Lieutenant 

Velasquez and Firefighter Baik were assigned to go to the third floor of the building to look for fire extension and 

to search for victims. Lieutenant Velasquez and Firefighter Baik proceeded to the third floor as assigned. Both 

firefighters were wearing full structural protective clothing, including SCBAs.

Continued on next page.
When they arrived on the third floor, Lieutenant Velasquez reported stable conditions by radio to the Incident 

Commander (IC) and requested a hoseline be brought to the floor. A few moments later, the IC observed smoke 

coming from the third floor and attempted to contact Lieutenant Velasquez by radio to no avail. 

The IC ordered an evacuation of the building by all firefighters in order to account for everyone on the scene. In 

the process of the evacuation, firefighters were observed on the third floor in distress. 

The RIT was deployed to the third floor for rescue. Lieutenant Velasquez and Firefighter Baik were found unconscious and brought to the exterior of the building. 

Firefighters and emergency responders immediately began to provide medical treatment for both firefighters. 

Lieutenant Velasquez was transported by ambulance to Saint Vincent’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Firefighter Baik was transported by ambulance to Bridgeport Hospital where he was also pronounced dead. 

Autopsies and toxicological studies were performed on both firefighters. Lieutenant Velasquez and Firefighter Baik 

both died of smoke inhalation suffered as they fought the structure fire. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-18 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201018.html). 

July 26, 2010–1630 hrs 

Posey Wayne Dillon, Fire Chief 

Age 59, Volunteer • Rocky Mount Fire Department #1, Virginia 

William Daniel “Danny” Altice, Firefighter 

Age 67, Volunteer • Rocky Mount Fire Department #1, Virginia 

Chief Dillon and Firefighter Altice were responding to a mutual-aid structure fire incident. Their engine entered 

an intersection on a red light and was struck by a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The collision caused Chief Dillon to 

lose control of the apparatus and it rolled. 

Both firefighters were ejected from the vehicle. Neither firefighter was wearing a seatbelt. Both firefighters died 

due to traumatic injuries. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-19 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201019.html). 

45 
46 

August 2, 2010–1025 hrs 

Christopher Wayne Adams, Forest Ranger I 

Age 25, Wildland Full-Time • Arkansas Forestry Commission 

Forest Ranger Adams worked a fire scene on the morning of August 2, 2010. His activities consisted of plowing 

lines around a previous fire to assure containment. Once this was completed, Forest Ranger Adams was assigned 

to drive a tractor trailer truck hauling a D5 Caterpillar plow. 

As Forest Ranger Adams approached a curve in the road, he lost control of the vehicle; it left the roadway and 

overturned. Forest Ranger Adams was trapped in the cab of the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Forest Ranger Adams was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. 

August 9, 2010–0030 hrs 

Christopher D. Wheatley, Firefighter/Paramedic 

Age 31, Career • Chicago Fire Department, Illinois 

Firefighter Wheatley and his ladder company were dispatched to a structural fire in a four-story commercial and 

residential structure. Upon their arrival, firefighters observed smoke and sparks coming from a cooking exhaust 

fan chute. 

Firefighter Wheatley ascended a ladder attached to the side of the building to gain access to the roof. He was 

wearing full structural firefighting protective clothing, including a SCBA. He also carried a water fire extinguisher 

with him as he climbed. 

When Firefighter Wheatley reached the roof, he lost his grip and fell 53 feet to the ground. Firefighter Wheatley 

landed on his feet and immediately dropped to the ground. Firefighter Wheatley was treated by firefighters and 

transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital due to multiple injuries. The most significant 

injury noted in the autopsy was transaction of the aorta. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-25 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201025.html). 
47 

August 19, 2010–2045 hrs 

Jonathan Lewis “Johnny” Littleton, Captain 

Age 40, Volunteer • Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina 

Captain Littleton and other firefighters participated in a technical rescue class on the evening of August 19, 2010. 

The class began at the Pine Level Fire Department at 1830 hours and was concluded at 2230 hours. The class involved rope work and was very physically demanding. 

Captain Littleton participated in all facets of the class but began to feel ill toward the end of class. Instructors allowed him to sit out the class cleanup duties. Captain Littleton was scheduled to work that evening in his job with 

the town police department but had gotten someone else to cover his shift. 

Captain Littleton went home and stayed in bed for the better part of the next day. His wife last saw him at approximately 1500 hours. At approximately 2030 hours, Captain Littleton’s daughter found him deceased in bed. 

Firefighter and EMS responders provided treatment but Captain Littleton had died of a heart attack. 

August 22, 2010–2121 hrs 

Douglas Farrington, Firefighter 

Age 44, Volunteer • Delta Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company, Pennsylvania 

On August 22, 2010, Firefighter Farrington responded to his fire station for a mutual-aid barn fire. He missed the 

response but remained in the fire station to staff a backup engine. Firefighter Farrington was at the fire station 

for about an hour and assisted other firefighters in cleaning and putting the equipment back in service when they 

returned from the response. Firefighter Farrington went home at approximately 2230 hours. 

The next day, Firefighter Farrington worked in the morning at his full-time job as a fire inspector and then left 

work to complete a mowing job. At 1105 hours, Firefighter Farrington momentarily lost consciousness. Another 

firefighter assisting with the mowing job called for EMS. When the ambulance arrived, Firefighter Farrington had 

gone into respiratory and cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at 1219 hours after arriving at the hospital. His 

death was caused by a heart attack. 

September 3, 2010–Time Unknown 

Larry W. Suiter, Fire Chief 

Age 65, Volunteer • Lorraine Green Garden Fire Department, Kansas 

Chief Suiter responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak at a local grain elevator on the evening of September 3, 

2010. He died at his home in the early hours of September 4, 2010, of an apparent heart attack. 
48 

September 6, 2010–1837 hrs 

John Kelly, Firefighter/Chief Driver 

Age 51, Volunteer • Tarrytown Fire Department, New York 

A resident of the Village of Tarrytown complained that the sewer service to their home was clogged. The Department of Public Works (DPW) attempted to clear the clog in the area of the home but was not successful. The Tarrytown Fire Station was in the area of the sewer problems. There are three sewer system openings in proximity 

to the fire station: one in front of the station, one in the station, and one behind the station. DPW called the fire 

chief and asked him to open the fire station so that DPW employees could have access to the sewer system inside 

of the station. 

Firefighters assisted DPW employees with access to the opening behind the fire station. A DPW employee entered 

the sewer opening. The DPW employee lost consciousness as he descended the interior ladder and fell to the bottom. The DPW foreperson requested assistance from firefighters. The fire chief asked dispatch for EMS assistance 

and also started a fire department incident. 

As an atmospheric meter from the fire department was prepared for use, Firefighter Kelly entered the opening. He 

was not wearing a SCBA or harness. When Firefighter Kelly was half way down the ladder, he lost consciousness and 

fell to the bottom. Additional resources were called to the scene and Firefighter Kelly and the DPW employee were 

removed. Both Firefighter Kelly and the DPW employee died of asphyxiation due to an oxygen deficient atmosphere. 

September 7, 2010–2340 hrs 

Donald Ray Lam, Jr., Forest Ranger Technician III 

Age 58, Wildland Full-Time • Kentucky Division of Forestry 

Forest Ranger Lam was working with other firefighters to contain the Scotts Chapel Road Fire in Livingston County. Forest Ranger Lam was clearing a fire break for containment at the base of a bluff when a burning snag broke 

loose on top and rolled downhill over a small bluff, striking Lam from behind. 

Firefighter Lam was knocked out and sustained a serious head injury, fractured hip, bruises, and second-degree 

burns on his calves from the snag. The impact left him unconscious and with serious injuries, including the burns 

from which he did not recover. Forest Ranger Lam died on February 17, 2011. 
September 14, 2010–0930 hrs 

Edward Avoughn Mosley, Firefighter 

Age 66, Volunteer • Steele Creek Acres Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan, Texas 

In March of 2010, Steele Creek Volunteer Fire Station One was destroyed by fire. Members of the fire department 

were working on the construction of a new fire station. Firefighter Mosley was injured on the worksite. He fell backwards and struck his head on concrete. Firefighter Mosley died as the result of his injury on September 26, 2010. 

September 16, 2010–1127 hrs 

James Michael Owen, Firefighter/Paramedic 

Age 56, Career • Orange County Fire Authority, California 

Firefighter Owen and other firefighters were participating in a day of technical rescue training at the Orange 

County Fire Authority’s Regional Fire Operations and Training Center. The day began with classroom instruction 

and stretching exercises prior to the start of training evolutions. 

The first training evolution began at 1055 hours. Teams of firefighters, including Firefighter Owen, moved 

4,000-pound cubes of concrete using only hand tools. Firefighter Owen and his group successfully completed the 

evolution. At 1120 hours, firefighters were released for lunch. 

As Firefighter Owen walked toward his apparatus, he suddenly collapsed. Firefighters immediately provided CPR 

and ALS-level care. By 1131 hours, Firefighter Owen was in an ambulance en route to the hospital. Firefighter 

Owen was pronounced dead at 1222 hours in the hospital emergency room, despite all efforts in the field and in 

the hospital to revive him. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-34 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201034.html). 

September 20, 2010–1650 hrs 

Mark Phillip Johnson, Deputy Chief 

Age 55, Volunteer • Hinsdale Fire Department, Illinois 

Deputy Chief Johnson responded to a medical emergency incident on September 20, 2010. The incident concluded at 1148 hours and Deputy Chief Johnson returned to his office. At approximately 1545 hours, Deputy Chief 

Johnson told other firefighters that he was going to the basement of the fire station to work out. 

Continued on next page. 

49 
At 1655 hours, firefighters discovered Deputy Chief Johnson collapsed behind an exercise machine. Firefighters 

began treatment and transported Deputy Chief Johnson to a local hospital. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 1739 hours. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-33 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201033.html). 

September 24, 2010–1800 hrs 

Ryan Neil Seitz, Firefighter 

Age 26, Volunteer • McArthur Fire Department, Ohio 

Firefighter Seitz and other firefighters from Ohio responded to a group of wildland fires in Eastern Ross County, 

Ohio. Firefighter Seitz was staffing a brush truck. The water tank on the brush truck failed under pressure and 

Firefighter Seitz was struck in the chest by a piece of the tank. He was killed as a result of trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

September 24, 2010–1436 hrs 

Ronald W. Stephan, Firefighter 

Age 61, Volunteer • Lynn Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana 

On September 24, 2010, Firefighter Stephan responded to a mutual-aid wildland fire. By 1620 hours, his department was back in service. The next morning, Firefighter Stephan suffered a heart attack while working on his 

farm. EMS was called at 0950 hours. Firefighter and EMS responders provided CPR and ALS-level care. Their efforts were not successful and Firefighter Stephan was pronounced dead due to a heart attack. 

September 24, 2010–1756 hrs 

William Harold “Hal” Clark, Firefighter 

Age 54, Volunteer • Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Virginia 

Firefighter Clark and the members of his department were assisting with wildland fires in New Church, VA. Firefighter Clark operated a 300 foot 1-1/2-inch hoseline on the fire for approximately 35 minutes. Firefighter Clark 

became ill while working the incident. He was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital. He was pronounced 

dead at the hospital as the result of a heart attack. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-35 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201035.html). 

50 
51

September 27, 2010–1846 hrs

Robert Hall, Firefighter

Age 57, Volunteer • Lynchburg Area Joint Fire & Ambulance District, Ohio

Firefighter Hall attended a meeting at the fire station. As he left the fire station, he became ill. Firefighters and 

EMS responders provided assistance and Firefighter Hall was transported to the hospital. Firefighter Hall did not 

recover and later died as the result of a CVA.

October 2, 2010–2245 hrs

Thomas Dale “Tinker Tom” Innes, Assistant Fire Chief

Age 61, Volunteer • Hindsboro Community Fire Protection District, Illinois

Assistant Chief Innes responded to an EMS call at 2245 hours. On the scene, he assisted with patient treatment and 

then helped restore equipment to readiness for the next incident. He returned home at approximately 2330 hours. 

Assistant Chief Innes did not feel well and found that his blood pressure was high. 

Assistant Chief Innes and his wife decided that it would be best for him to go to the emergency room by personal 

vehicle. As Mrs. Innes drove, Assistant Chief Innes became unresponsive. An ambulance was called and transported Assistant Chief Innes to the hospital. He did not recover and was later pronounced dead due to a heart attack.

October 3, 2010–2006 hrs

James Carlyle Saunders, Firefighter

Age 52, Career • Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, California

Firefighter Saunders and other firefighters from his fire department controlled a wildland fire that occurred near a 

local golf course. Firefighters were in the process of mopping up when Firefighter Saunders became ill. He was 

treated by firefighters and transported by ambulance to the hospital. Firefighter Saunders suffered a heart attack 

and died on October 7, 2010.
52 

October 19, 2010–1515 hrs 

Daniel C. Wilson, Firefighter 

Age 58, Volunteer • Jerusalem Township Fire Department, Ohio 

On October 19, 2010, at approximately 1515 hours, Firefighter Wilson responded to an EMS incident. At the 

conclusion of the response, he returned home. It was noted that he appeared to be feeling poorly when he left. 

On October 20, 2010, at approximately 1000 hours, he requested EMS to his residence due to feeling ill. He was 

transported to the hospital where he underwent emergency heart surgery and remained hospitalized until his 

death on October 23, 2010. 

October 19, 2010–2115 hrs 

William E. “Billy” Akin, Jr., Fire Police Captain 

Age 54, Volunteer • Ghent Volunteer Fire Company Number One, New York 

Fire Police Captain Akin and the members of his fire department were dispatched to an automobile crash with 

injuries on a local roadway. Fire Police Captain Akin was responding is his personal vehicle when he suffered a 

heart attack. 

Fire Police Captain Akin’s vehicle accelerated through an intersection and crashed into a utility pole with sufficient 

force to break the pole and drop live electrical wires to the street. Firefighters responding to the original call came 

upon the crash, removed Fire Police Captain Akin from his vehicle, and provided treatment. He was transported 

to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. 

October 24, 2010–1800 hrs 

Randall Scott Davenport, Firefighter 

Age 37, Career • Marshall Fire Department, Missouri 

Firefighter Davenport responded to a residential structure fire involving a 1,200-square-foot single-story home. The 

structure was well-involved and Firefighter Davenport assisted with extinguishment and overhaul once the fire was 

knocked down. The incident was dispatched at 1307 hours and he returned to quarters at approximately 1400 hours. 

At 1539 hours, Firefighter Davenport was dispatched to a mutual-aid structure fire. Firefighter Davenport drove a 

tanker (tender) and worked onscene to protect an exposure that was threatened. He returned to the fire station at 

approximately 1800 hours. 

Continued on next page. 
53 

Firefighter Davenport complained to other firefighters that he was fatigued but did not complain of any cardiac 

symptoms. Firefighters watched a sports game on television until midnight. Firefighter Davenport slept in a chair 

in the station’s day room. 

At approximately 0600 hours, firefighters found Firefighter Davenport deceased in the chair. He had suffered a 

heart attack during the night and died. 

October 26, 2010–1530 hrs 

Bruce M. Bachinsky, Lieutenant 

Age 47, Career • Waterbury Fire Department, Connecticut 

Lieutenant Bachinsky went off duty at 0800 hours on October 26, 2010, after responding to multiple incidents. As 

he was riding his bicycle at approximately 1630 hours, he suffered a heart attack. 

A passerby found Lieutenant Bachinsky at the roadside. A bystander performed CPR until law enforcement and 

EMS responders arrived. An AED was used and Lieutenant Bachinsky was taken to the hospital where he was later 

pronounced dead. 

October 30, 2010–0615 hrs 

Kevin Daniel Quinn, Lieutenant 

Age 52, Career • Dayton Fire Department, Ohio 

Lieutenant Quinn was the onduty representative for the Dayton Fire Department in the Montgomery County 

Regional Dispatch Center. During his 24-hour shift, Lieutenant Quinn monitored emergency activity and participated in physical fitness training activities. He also completed his annual SCBA fit test. 

At approximately 2230 hours on October 29, 2010, Lieutenant Quinn retired to his quarters for a break. A dispatcher that entered his quarters at approximately 0620 hours on October 30, 2010, found him deceased. His 

death was caused by a heart attack. 
54 

October 31, 2010–2045 hrs 

Gary Lowell Cummins, Firefighter 

Age 61, Volunteer • Brocton Fire Protection District, Illinois 

Firefighter Cummins and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a structure fire in their district. 

Firefighter Cummins drove an engine apparatus to the scene. When he arrived on the scene, he was assigned by 

the fire chief to position his apparatus to support firefighting operations. 

As Firefighter Cummins backed the apparatus into position, he suffered a heart attack. The apparatus, still in reverse, left the roadway, backed through a corn field, jumped a ditch, and came to rest in another ditch. Firefighters secured the apparatus and removed Firefighter Cummins from the vehicle. 

CPR was initiated and Firefighter Cummins was transported to the hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced 

dead upon arrival. 

November 1, 2010–1445 hrs 

Richard E. “Rick” Drake, II, Lieutenant 

Age 39, Volunteer • German Township Fire Department, Indiana 

Lieutenant Drake responded to an EMS incident that involved difficulty breathing. He provided patient care and assisted with lifting the patient for transport by ambulance. The incident concluded at 1224 hours. 

After their return to the fire station, Lieutenant Drake began to perform the weekly check on apparatus. His wife was 

with him at the station. At approximately 1445 hours, Lieutenant Drake began to experience chest pains and other 

signs of an acute heart attack. His wife called 9-1-1 for assistance and Lieutenant Drake also requested help by radio. 

Firefighter and EMS responders arrived at the station and provided assistance. Lieutenant Drake was transported to the 

hospital by ambulance but did not survive. 
55 

November 5, 2010–1830 hrs 

Leonard Arthur Murray, Jr., Fire Captain 

Age 53, Volunteer • Jackson Township Fire Department, Indiana 

A firefighter/mechanic was making steering system repairs to a brush truck inside of the Jackson Township Fire 

Department maintenance building. The mechanic turned the key to unlock the steering column. The brush truck 

accidentally lunged forward. 

At the same time the brush truck lunged forward, Captain Murray and another firefighter were walking in front of 

the vehicle. The other firefighter was knocked clear but Captain Murray was crushed between the brush truck and 

a wall. He received a head injury and was killed instantly. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-37 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201037.html). 

November 10, 2010–0245 hrs 

James C. Gumbert, Firefighter 

Age 63, Volunteer • North Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvania 

Firefighter Gumbert responded to his fire station for a mutual-aid structure fire. When he arrived at the fire station, he was experiencing chest pains and collapsed. Firefighters provided CPR in the fire station and he was 

transported by ambulance to the hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. 

November 13, 2010–1415 hrs 

Chance Hyatt Zobel, Firefighter 

Age 23, Career • Columbia Fire Department, South Carolina 

Firefighter Zobel and his engine company were dispatched to a fire in the median of a local highway. When his 

company and another engine arrived on the scene, they positioned their apparatus in a shielding position to protect firefighters from traffic. 

As Firefighter Zobel and other firefighters were extinguishing the fire, a two-vehicle crash occurred on the highway behind the apparatus. The crash caused one of the vehicles to slide between the guardrail and one of the 

engines. The vehicle entered the fire scene and struck Firefighter Zobel and another firefighter. Both firefighters 

were transported to the hospital. Firefighter Zobel died due to traumatic injuries. 
56 

November 19, 2010–1421 hrs 

Worne T. Hall, Captain 

Age 86, Volunteer • Hitchens Volunteer Fire Department, Kentucky 

Captain Hall and the members of his fire department responded to a vehicle crash involving an ATV. Captain 

Hall’s department requested mutual aid from another fire department that brought an ATV capable of patient 

transport. Once the patient was assessed, EMS responders requested a medical helicopter for transport. 

Captain Hall was directed to set up a helispot for the medical helicopter at a local school. As the helicopter landed, 

Captain Hall collapsed of an apparent heart attack. He was treated by firefighters and EMS responders, including 

members of the helicopter crew, and transported to the hospital by ambulance. He could not be revived and was 

pronounced dead at the hospital. 

November 23, 2010–1420 hrs 

Fernando Julio Sanchez, Inmate Firefighter 

Age 25, Wildland Part-Time • California Department of Corrections 

Firefighter Sanchez was a passenger in a wildland crew carrier. There were as many as 12 firefighters in the vehicle. An SUV crossed the centerline of the highway and crashed into the crew carrier. Several firefighters were 

ejected in the crash and a number received severe injuries. Firefighter Sanchez was killed in the crash. 

November 25, 2010–2130 hrs 

Kenneth Marshall, Jr., Firefighter 

Age 33, Paid-on-Call • Rehoboth Fire Department, Massachusetts 

Firefighter Marshall and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a kitchen fire. Firefighter Marshall 

responded to the fire station and was the driver of Engine 2 for the incident. As the apparatus responded, firefighters noticed that Firefighter Marshall slumped over. Firefighters were able to stop the apparatus and remove Firefighter Marshall. 

CPR was started and Firefighter Marshall was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. 

The kitchen fire was found to be food on the stove. 
November 26, 2010–0021 hrs 

Gary M. Valentino, Firefighter 

Age 40, Career • Fire Department City of New York, New York 

Firefighter Valentino was working in a light-duty assignment as a division driver. He had been on duty for approximately 12 hours when he became tired and went to rest in a bunkroom. Fellow firefighters found him unconscious approximately 3 hours later. Firefighter started CPR and EMS was requested. Firefighter Valentino could not 

be revived. 

December 6, 2010–2000 hrs 

Dillon C. Denton, Lieutenant 

Age 64, Volunteer • Charlotte Road/Van Wyck Fire Department, South Carolina 

Lieutenant Denton participated in a training exercise with other firefighters. Near the end of the exercise, Lieutenant Denton was assisting other firefighters loading hose on an engine. Lieutenant Denton told other firefighters 

that he did not feel well and he was told to take a rest. 

As Lieutenant Denton walked to an area where he could sit down, he stumbled. Firefighters came to his aid and 

found that he was seriously ill. An ambulance was called and Lieutenant Denton was flown by medical helicopter 

to a regional medical facility. 

Lieutenant Denton died as the result of a CVA at 0130 hours on December 7, 2010. 

57 

December 13, 2010–1440 hrs 

Jimmy W. Tuberville, Fire Chief 

Age 64, Volunteer • Milledgeville Fire Department, Tennessee 

A wildland fire was reported in the field across from the Milledgeville fire station. Firefighters responded and used 

flappers to extinguish the flames. Chief Tuberville drove the department’s brush truck to the scene and helped to 

fight the fire. 

Chief Tuberville returned the tools he had used to the truck and was talking with firefighters when he suddenly 

collapsed. Firefighters found that he had no pulse and began CPR while an ambulance was called. CPR was continued in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Chief Tuberville was pronounced dead at the hospital. 
58 

December 16, 2010–1130 hrs 

Chad Lee Null, Firefighter/Paramedic 

Age 33, Career • Sullivan Fire Department, Indiana 

At 0955 hours, Firefighter Null and his partner responded to their second EMS incident of the shift. The incident 

involved a woman that had fallen in a narrow hallway. Firefighter Null and his partner had to maneuver in close 

quarters to place the patient on a backboard. In addition, the driveway of the home was covered with snow and 

ice, so Firefighter Null and his partner had to carry the gurney and patient over the lawn to the ambulance. Firefighter Null and his partner arrived back at the fire station at 1057 hours. 

Firefighter Null went into the fire station and began to complete reports on the day’s incidents. While other firefighters were out of the room for a few moments, Firefighter Null collapsed. Firefighters then entering the room 

found Firefighter Null and began to provide treatment, including CPR. He was transported to the hospital by 

ambulance but was not revived. His death was caused by a heart attack. 

December 22, 2010–0654 hrs 

Edward J. Stringer, Firefighter 

Age 47, Career • Chicago Fire Department, Illinois 

Corey D. Ankum, Firefighter 

Age 34, Career • Chicago Fire Department, Illinois 

While working a fire at a vacant commercial building, 16 firefighters reportedly became trapped and were injured 

after the roof of the building collapsed. Two firefighters, Firefighter Edward Stringer and Firefighter Corey Ankum, passed away from injuries sustained in the incident. 

Ten other firefighters were reported to be in stable condition while four others were reported to be in critical condition. 

For additional information regarding this incident, please refer to NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and 

Prevention Program Report F2010-38 (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201038.html). 
59

December 24, 2010–1900 hrs

Thomas G. Hardy, Fire Chief

Age 68, Volunteer • Athens Township Volunteer Fire Department, Michigan

Chief Hardy had just returned to the fire station from a fire call when he suffered a heart attack, fell to the floor, 

and struck his head. He was treated by firefighters and transported to the hospital. While in the hospital, Chief 

Hardy’s condition worsened and he remained in a coma for several days before passing away from his injuries on 

December 31, 2010.

December 28, 2010–0930 hrs

Kenneth Adamo, Captain

Age 48, Volunteer • Elmwood Park Fire Department, New Jersey

Firefighter Adamo was on an emergency standby at his fire station for the snow emergency declared by New Jersey 

Acting Governor Stephen M. Sweeney. During his period of duty, Firefighter Adamo also reportedly responded to 

one call, a smoke detector sounding.

Upon release from duty, Firefighter Adamo returned home and went to bed. He was found deceased in his bed 

the following morning from a suspected heart attack.

fIrefIghTer faTalITIes from prevIous years

January 30, 2007–1053 hrs

Donnie Caldwell, Lieutenant

Age 71, Volunteer • Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department, West Virginia

The propane gas service for a local convenience store was being transferred from one provider to another. Service 

technicians from the new provider were at the store to install the new propane tank, transfer propane from the old 

tank to the new tank, and establish service for the store.

At 1042 hours, firefighters were dispatched to the report of a gas leak at this local convenience store. Firefighter 

Dorsey was on duty and responded as a part of an ambulance crew. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find an 

uncontrollable propane leak. Firefighters reported seeing a billowing cloud of vapor or mist that was striking the 

eaves of the building and traveling along the ground. An evacuation was begun.

Continued on next page.
An explosion occurred at approximately 1053 hours. Two firefighters and two gas company employees were killed 

in the blast. Five other people received serious injuries. Among the injured was Lieutenant Caldwell. He died of 

complications of the injuries he received in the blast. Lieutenant Caldwell died on May 13, 2010, at the age of 74. 

An investigation was completed by the United States Chemical Safety Board. Additional information about this 

investigation can be found at www.csb.gov/assets/document/CSBFinalReportLittleGeneral.pdf 

60 

December 27, 2009–1839 hrs 

Peter James Coe, Firefighter 

Age 43, Volunteer • Shoreham Volunteer Fire Department, Vermont 

Firefighter Coe and his family were driving in his personal vehicle when they came upon a car that had run off of 

the road into the ditch. Firefighter Coe stopped his car and went out to see if the occupants of the vehicle needed 

assistance. 

Firefighter Coe repositioned his vehicle and attached a tow strap between the vehicles to pull the disabled vehicle 

from the ditch. As he returned to his car, he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. 
appendIx b
 

Firefighter Fatality Inclusion Criteria – 

National Fire Service Organizations 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 

the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), 

the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), and other 

organizations individually collect information 

on firefighter fatalities in the United States. Each 

organization uses a slightly different set of inclusion 

criteria that are based, at least in part, on the purposes 

of the information collection for each organization 

and data consistency. 

As a result of these differing inclusion criteria, statistics about firefighter fatalities may be provided by 

each organization that does not coincide with one 

another. This section explains the inclusion criteria 

for each organization and provides information about 

these differences. 

The USFA includes firefighters in this report that 

died while on duty, became ill while on duty and 

later died, or died within 24-hours of an emergency 

response or training, regardless of whether the firefighter complained of illness while on duty. The USFA 

counts firefighter deaths that occur in the 50 States, 

the District of Columbia, and United States protectorates such as Puerto Rico and Guam. Detailed inclusion criteria for this report appear near the beginning 

of report. 

For 2010, the USFA reported 87 onduty firefighter 

fatalities. 

61 

Firefighter Fatalities Resulting from Incidents Occurring in 2010
 

100

75

50

25

0

Organization

87

72 71

USFA NFPA NFFF
 
InClusIon CrITerIa for nfpa’s annual
 

fIrefIghTer faTalITy sTudy
 

Introduction 

Each year, the NFPA collects data on all firefighter 

fatalities in the United States that resulted from injuries or illnesses that occurred while the victims 

were onduty. The purpose of the study is to analyze 

trends in the types of illnesses and injuries resulting 

in deaths that occur while firefighters are on the job. 

This annual census of firefighter fatalities in its current 

format dates back to 1977. (Between 1974 and 1976, 

NFPA published a study of onduty firefighter fatalities 

that was not as comprehensive.) 

What is a Firefighter? 

For the purpose of the NFPA study, the term firefighter 

covers all uniformed members of organized fire departments, whether career, volunteer or combination, 

or contract; full-time public service officers acting as 

firefighters; State and Federal government fire service personnel; temporary fire suppression personnel 

operating under official auspices of one of the above; 

and privately employed firefighters, including trained 

members of industrial or institutional fire brigades, 

whether full or part time. 

Under this definition, the study includes, besides uniformed members of local career and volunteer fire departments, those seasonal and full-time employees of 

State and Federal agencies who have fire suppression 

responsibilities as part of their job description, prison 

inmates serving on firefighting crews, military personnel performing assigned fire suppression activities, 

civilian firefighters working at military installations, 

and members of industrial fire brigades. Impressed 

civilians would also be included if called on by the 

officer in charge of the incident to carry out specific 

duties. The NFPA study includes fatalities that occur 

in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. 

What does ‘on duty’ mean? 

The term on duty refers to being at the scene of an 

alarm, whether a fire or nonfire incident; being en 

route while responding to or returning from an 

alarm; performing other assigned duties such as training, maintenance, public education, inspection, investigations, court testimony, and fundraising; and being 

oncall, under orders or on standby duty other than at 

home or at the individual’s place of business. Fatalities that occur at a firefighter’s home may be counted 

if the actions of the firefighter at the time of injury 

involved firefighting or rescue. 

Onduty fatalities include any injury sustained in the 

line of duty that proves fatal, any illness that was incurred as a result of actions while onduty that proves 

fatal, and fatal mishaps involving nonemergency occupational hazards that occur while onduty. The types 

of injuries included in the first category are mainly 

those that occur at an incident scene, in training, or 

in accidents while responding to or returning from 

alarms. Illnesses (including heart attacks) are included 

when the exposure or onset of symptoms are tied to a 

specific incident of onduty activity. Those symptoms 

must have been in evidence while the victim was on 

duty for the fatality to be included in the study. 

Fatal injuries and illnesses are included, even in cases 

where death is considerably delayed. When the onset 

of the condition and the death occur in different 

years, the incident is counted in the year of the condition’s onset. Medical documentation specifically tying 

the death to the specific injury is required for inclusion of these cases in the study. 

Categories not included in the study 

The NFPA study does not include, members of fire department auxiliaries; nonuniformed employees of fire 

departments; emergency medical technicians (EMTs) 

who are not also firefighters; chaplains; or civilian 

dispatchers. The study also does not include suicides 

as onduty fatalities even when the suicide occurs on 

fire department property. 

The NFPA recognizes that a comprehensive study of 

firefighter onduty fatalities would include chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers) that prove fatal and that arose from occupational 

62 
factors. In practice, there is, as of yet, no mechanism 

for identifying onduty fatalities that are due to illnesses that develop over long periods of time. This creates 

an incomplete picture when comparing occupational 

illnesses to other factors as causes of firefighter deaths. 

This is recognized as a gap the size of which cannot 

be identified at this time because of the limitations 

in tracking the exposure of firefighters to toxic environments and substances and the potential long-term 

effects of such exposures. 

2010 Experience 

In 2010, a total of 72 onduty firefighter deaths occurred in the United States, according to the NFPA 

inclusion criteria. 

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 

In 1997, fire service leaders formulated new 

criteria to determine eligibility for inclusion on 

the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Line-ofduty deaths (LODDs) shall be determined by the 

following standards: 

1.	 (a) Deaths of firefighters meeting the Department 

of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Public Safety Officers’ Benefits 

(PSOB) program guidelines, and those cases that 

appear to meet these guidelines whether or not 

PSOB staff has adjudicated the specific case prior 

to the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial 

Service; and 

(b) Deaths of firefighters from injuries, heart attacks, or illnesses documented to show a direct 

link to a specific emergency incident or department-mandated training activity. 

2.	 While PSOB guidelines only cover public safety officers, the Foundation’s criteria also include contract firefighters and firefighters employed by a 

private company, such as those in an industrial brigade, provided that the deaths meet the standards 

listed above. 

3.	 Some specific cases will be excluded from consideration, such as deaths attributable to suicide, alcohol or substance abuse, or other gross abuses as 

specified in the PSOB guidelines. 

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was built 

in 1981 in Emmitsburg, MD. The names listed there 

begin with those firefighters who died in the line of 

duty that year. The U.S. Congress created the NFFF to 

lead a nationwide effort to remember America’s fallen 

firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, nonprofit 

Foundation has developed and expanded programs to 

honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families 

and coworkers by providing them with resources to 

rebuild their lives. Since 1997, the Foundation has 

managed the National Memorial Service held each 

October to honor the firefighters who died in the line 

of duty the previous year. 

At the October 2011 Memorial Weekend, the Foundation will be honoring 89 firefighters who died in the 

line of duty. Of those 89 being honored, 71 died in 

2010 as the result of incidents that occurred in 2010, 

and 18 others who died in previous years as the result 

of incidents that occurred in previous years. 

The following section is a listing of the firefighters 

that will be honored by the Foundation in October of 

2011. 

Firefighter deaths that occurred in 2010 as the result 

of an incident that occurred in 2010: 

Arizona 

David J. Irr 

Yuma Rural/Metro Fire Department 

Dennis W. Robinson 

Three Points Fire District 

Arkansas 

Christopher W. Adams 

Arkansas Forestry Commission 

David A. Curlin 

Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services 

Henry Sandy 

Northside Volunteer Fire Department 

California 

James M. Owen 

Orange County Fire Authority 

Continued on next page. 

63 
Fernando J. Sanchez
 

California Department of Corrections
 

James C. Saunders
 

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
 

Connecticut 

Bruce M. Bachinsky
 

Waterbury Fire Department
 

Michel Baik
 

Bridgeport Fire Department
 

Kevin J. Swan
 

Beacon Hose Co. No. 1
 

Steven J. Velasquez
 

Bridgeport Fire Department
 

Georgia 

Cecil J. Brown
 

Gresston Volunteer Fire Department
 

Illinois 

Corey D. Ankum
 

Chicago Fire Department
 

Brian C. Carey
 

Homewood Fire Department
 

Gary L. Cummins
 

Brocton Fire Protection District
 

Frank W. Fouts, V
 

City of Kankakee Fire Department
 

Thomas D. Innes 

Hindsboro Community Fire Protection District 

Mark P. Johnson
 

Hinsdale Fire Department
 

Edward J. Stringer
 

Chicago Fire Department
 

Christopher D. Wheatley
 

Chicago Fire Department
 

Indiana 

Richard E. Drake, II
 

German Township Fire Department
 

Chad L. Null
 

Sullivan Fire Department
 

Ronald W. Stephan
 

Lynn Volunteer Fire Department
 

Iowa 

Steven S. Crannell
 

Guthrie Center Fire Department
 

Kansas 

Stanley L. Giles
 

Linn Valley Lakes Fire Department
 

John B. Glaser
 

Shawnee Fire Department
 

Harold D. Reed, Sr.
 

Peru Fire District #3
 

Jonathan L. Siemers
 

Clay Center Fire Department
 

Larry W. Suiter
 

Lorraine Green Garden Fire Department
 

Kentucky 

Terry L. Cannon
 

Buechel Fire Protection District
 

Worne T. Hall
 

Hitchens Volunteer Fire Department
 

Maine 

Brian J. Rowe
 

West Forks Volunteer Fire Department
 

Massachusetts 

Kenneth Marshall, Jr.
 

Rehoboth Fire Department
 

David A. Sullivan
 

Otis Fire Department
 

Michigan 

Thomas G. Hardy 

Athens Township Volunteer Fire Department 

Mississippi 

Jerry W. Thompson
 

Linwood Volunteer Fire Department
 

Missouri 

Randall S. Davenport
 

Marshall Fire Department
 

Continued on next page. 

64 
Donald D. Schaper 

Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department 

New Jersey 

Kenneth Adamo
 

Elmwood Park Fire Department
 

Edward J. Eckert 

Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company #1 

New York 

William E. Akin 

Ghent Volunteer Fire Company Number One 

Scott W. Davis
 

Oswego Fire Department
 

Vincent A. Iaccino 

Roosevelt Fire District Engine Company #1 

John Kelly
 

Tarrytown Fire Department
 

LeRoy A. Kemp
 

Tioga Center Fire Department
 

Garrett W. Loomis
 

Sackets Harbor Fire Department
 

Gerard Marcheterre
 

Borodino Fire Department
 

Ohio 

Joseph McCafferty
 

Lancaster Fire Department
 

Leo A. Powell 

Morgan Township Volunteer Fire Department 

Ryan N. Seitz
 

McArthur Fire Department
 

Edward D. Teare
 

Independence Fire Department
 

Daniel C. Wilson
 

Jerusalem Township Fire Department
 

Oklahoma 

Paul E. Johnson
 

Crow Roost Fire Department
 

Pennsylvania 

Douglas Farrington
 

Delta Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company
 

James C. Gumbert 

North Irwin Volunteer Fire Department 

Charles P. Hornberger 

Milmont Park Fire Company Station #49 

Donald G. Mellott 

Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 

John Polimine 

Scalp Level & Paint Volunteer Fire Company 

Douglas L. Smith
 

Liberty Hose Company No. 1
 

Richard L. Springman 

Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company 

South Carolina 

Dillon C. Denton 

Charlotte Road/Van Wyck Fire Department 

Chance H. Zobel
 

Columbia Fire Department
 

Tennessee 

Jimmy W. Tuberville
 

Milledgeville Fire Department
 

Texas 

Thomas T. Araguz, III 

Wharton Volunteer Fire Department 

Vermont 

Steven N. Costello
 

Burlington Fire Department
 

Virginia 

William D. Altice
 

Rocky Mount Fire Department #1
 

William H. Clark 

Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company 

Posey W. Dillon
 

Rocky Mount Fire Department #1
 

Washington 

Chet D. Bauermeister
 

Franklin County Fire District 4
 

West Virginia 

Donald W. Adkins, III 

Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department 

65 
deaThs fromprevIous years
 

Alabama 

Steven F. Bouchard 

Snowdoun Volunteer Fire Department 

John E. Lee, III
 

City of Pelham Fire Department
 

California 

Bryan K. Zollner
 

CAL Fire
 

Florida 

Victor B. Scott 

Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department 

Michael A. Trullinger 

Chattahootchie Volunteer Fire Department 

Kansas 

Urban A. Eck
 

Wichita Fire Department
 

Louisiana 

Tommy L. Adams
 

Shreveport Fire Department
 

Maryland 

Donald W. Hubbel 


Baltimore City Fire Department
 

New York 

Erich Lachmann 

Washington Heights Fire Department 

Salvatore Scarentino
 

Fire Department of New York
 

Josef L. Welenofsky
 

Holtsville Fire Department
 

North Carolina 

Richard A. Miller
 

Belmont Fire Department
 

Ohio 

Gregory A. Northup
 

Gallipolis Fire Department
 

Sammy R. Smith
 

Village of Antwerp 


Oregon 

Steven A. Uptegrove 

USDA Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman 

National  Forest 

Pennsylvania 

Richard A. Burns
 

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
 

Tennessee 

Timothy A. Byrd 

Dover-Stewart County Rescue Squad 

Vermont 

Peter J. Coe 

Shoreham Volunteer Fire Department 

66