U.S. Fire Administration

Firefighter Fatalities

in the United States 

in 2007

June 2008
Firefighte

Fatalities in the

United States i

2007

Prepared for

United States Department of Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Fire Administration

National Fire Data Center

Contract Number EME-2003-CO-0282

Prepared by

C2 Technologies, Inc.

Vienna, Virginia

June 2008

In memory of all firefighters

who answered their last call in 2007

To their families and friends

To their service and sacrifice
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.
Tabl e o f C o nte n

Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... v

Background .............................................................................................................................

Introduction.............................................................................................................................

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

	 	 What Constitutes an On-Duty Fatality? .................................................................................2

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

	 	 Procedure for Including a Fatality in the Study ......................................................................4

2007 Findings........................................................................................................................

	 	 Career and Volunteer Deaths................................................................................................6

	 	 Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents....................................................................................7

	 	 Wildland Firefighting Deaths................................................................................................7

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

	 	 Fireground Operations.......................................................................................................11

	 	 Responding/Returning ......................................................................................................12

	 	 Other On Duty....................................................................................................................13

	 	 Training ............................................................................................................................13

	 	 Nonfire Emergencies..........................................................................................................13

	 	 After the Incident ..............................................................................................................14

	 	 Career, Volunteer, and Wildland Deaths by Type of Duty.......................................................14

	 	 Type of Emergency Duty......................................................................................................14

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

	 	 Stress or Overexertion ........................................................................................................15

	 	 Vehicle Crashes.................................................................................................................16

	 	 Lost or Disoriented.............................................................................................................17

	 	 Caught or Trapped .............................................................................................................17

	 	 Collapse............................................................................................................................17

	 	 Struck by Object.................................................................................................................17 

	 	 Fall....................................................................................................................................18

	 	 Other.................................................................................................................................19

continued on next page
Nature of Fatal Injury........................................................................................................

	 	 Heart Attack ......................................................................................................................20

	 	 Internal Trauma .................................................................................................................21 

	 	 Asphyxiation .....................................................................................................................22

	 	 Burns ................................................................................................................................23

	 	 Crushed.............................................................................................................................23

	 	 Cerebrovascular Accident...................................................................................................23

	 	 Electrocution .....................................................................................................................23

	 	 Other.................................................................................................................................23

Firefighter Ages...................................................................................................................

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

Type of Activity....................................................................................................................

	 	 Fire Attack .........................................................................................................................26

	 	 Search and Rescue ............................................................................................................27 

	 	 Standby and Scene Safety..................................................................................................27

	 	 Ventilation.........................................................................................................................27

	 	 Incident Command ............................................................................................................27 

	 	 Pump Operations–Water Supply.........................................................................................27 

Time of Injury .......................................................................................................................

Month of Year.....................................................................................................................

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

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

In Conclusion.........................................................................................................................

Special Topic: Seatbelts ..................................................................................................

Appendix A.............................................................................................................................4

Appendix B.............................................................................................................................8
Ac k n ow l e d g m e 

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 United States Forest Service, the 

National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the United States 

Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as the United States Department of Justice, the National Fire Protection 

Association (NFPA), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), and many others contributed 

important information for this report.

C2

 Technologies, Inc., of Vienna, Virginia, conducted this analysis for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) 

under contract EME-2003-CO-0282.

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. This is the risk all firefighters accept every time they respond to 

an emergency incident. However, the risk can be greatly reduced through efforts to improve training, 

emergency scene operations, and firefighter health and safety initiatives. 

Cover photo courtesy of Glen E. Ellman, www.fortworthfire.com

v
1

Bac k g ro u n

For 31 years, the 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 also is used to measure the effectiveness of current programs directed 

toward firefighter health and safety.

Several programs have been funded by the USFA in response to this detailing of firefighter fatalities. For 

example, the USFA has sponsored significant work in the areas of general emergency vehicle operation 

safety, fire department tanker/tender operation safety, firefighter incident scene rehabilitation, and 

roadside incident safety. The data developed for this report also are used widely in other firefighter 

fatality prevention efforts.

One of the 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 the USFA is underscored 

by the fact that these goals represent one of the five major objectives that guide the actions of the USFA.

In addition to the analysis, the USFA provides a list of firefighter fatalities and associated documentation 

to the NFFF. 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 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The service is 

held at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, 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/
2

Intro d ucti

This report continues a series of annual studies 

by the 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 2007, 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.

In addition to the 2007 overall findings, this 

study includes information on seatbelt use for 

firefighters and efforts to encourage seatbelt use.

Whis a 

For the purpose of this study, the term “firefighter” 

covers all members of organized fire departments 

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; 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.

Under this definition, the study includes not only 

local and municipal firefighters but also seasonal 

and full-time employees of the United States Forest 

Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the 

Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, the National Park Service, 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.

WhatCons

Fata

Onduty fatalities include any injury or illness 

sustained while on duty that proves fatal. The 

term “onduty” 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 who becomes ill while performing 

fire department duties and suffers a heart attack 

shortly after arriving home or at another location 
3

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 some 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 study if they become ill as the result of a 

heart attack or stroke within 24 hours of a training 

activity or emergency response. Firefighters who 

become 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 in this study.

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 would 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. One firefighter 

died in 2006 whose death was not known to 

the USFA until 2007. Information about this 

death is included in Appendix A of this report, 

but the death is not addressed in the body of the 

report unless it affects retrospective statistical 

comparisons.

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 

over the years 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. 

Souces 

As an integral part of its ongoing program 

to collect and analyze fire data, USFA solicits 

information on firefighter fatalities directly from 

the fire service and from a wide range of other 

sources. These sources include the 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, and other Federal 

agencies. 
4

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. The USFA 

also keeps track of fatal fire incidents as part of its 

Major Fires Investigation Program and performs 

an ongoing analysis of data from the National Fire 

Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

Procedure 

Fataty

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 

or designee over the phone or by other data 

collection forms. After basic information is 

collected, a notice of the firefighter fatality is 

posted at the USFA site in Emmitsburg, Maryland, 

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 requested routinely from 

fire departments that have experienced a fatality 

includes 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 also may be gathered from NFPA or 

NIOSH reports on an incident.

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 from 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. The final 

determination as to whether a fatality qualifies as 

a line-of-duty death for inclusion in the annual 

Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is made by 

the NFFF.

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration
5

One hundred and eighteen (118) firefighters 

died while on duty in 2007. This total includes 

13 firefighters who are included in this report as 

a result of the inclusion criteria changes resulting 

from the Hometown Heroes Act of 2003.

After a 2-year respite, the number of firefighter 

fatalities using the pre-Hometown Heroes criteria 

was above 100. Using the pre-Hometown Heroes 

criteria, 105 firefighters died while on duty in the 

United States in 2007, up dramatically from the 

92 onduty firefighter deaths in 2006 using preHometown Heroes inclusion criteria. The lowest 

number of onduty firefighter fatalities recorded 

within the past three decades was 1992 with 

77 fatalities, followed by 1993 with 81 fatalities 

(Figure 1).

2007 Fin din 

In December of 2003, the Hometown Heroes 

Survivors Benefit Act (the Act) of 2003 was signed 

into law. For Federal survivor’s benefit purposes, 

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. Prior to this law, Federal 

survivor’s benefits for firefighters generally were 

not paid for heart attacks or strokes, regardless of 

the circumstances.

The inclusion criteria for this report also were 

modified when the Act became law. Prior to 

December of 2003, a firefighter needed to express 

or show signs of illness prior to going off duty 

Figure 1. Onduty Firefighter Fatalities (1977-2007)
6

in order to be included in this report. After 

December of 2003, firefighters who became ill 

within 24 hours of onduty stressful or strenuous 

activity also were included.

While a change in reporting criteria does not 

diminish the sacrifices made by the firefighters 

who die, or the sacrifices made by their families 

and their peers, statistical analysis of death trends 

needs to acknowledge the changes stemming from 

the Act. 

In 2001, the largest loss of firefighters’ lives in 

a single incident in history occurred as a result 

of the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) 

in New York City on September 11th. A total of 

344 firefighters were killed in the attacks and 

resulting collapses. When conducting multiyear 

comparisons of firefighter fatalities in this report, 

it may be necessary to set these deaths apart for 

illustrative purposes. This action is by no means 

a minimization of the supreme sacrifice made by 

these firefighters.

Career and Volunteer Death

In 2007, onduty firefighter fatalities included 68 

volunteer firefighters and 50 career firefighters 

(Figure 2). Among the volunteer firefighter 

fatalities, 63 were from local or municipal 

volunteer fire departments, and 5 were parttime or full-time members of wildland fire 

agencies. One career firefighter was a member of 

an industrial fire department, and the rest were 

members of local or municipal fire departments.

Three of the firefighters who died in 2007 were 

female and 115 were male. In the last decade, 

female firefighter deaths have ranged from a low 

of 0 in 1998 to a high of 6 in 2004 and in 2006. 

The number of career firefighter 

deaths rose significantly from 29 

in 2006 to 50 in 2007.

Figure 2. Career and Volunteer Deaths (2007)
7

Multiple Fire

I

The 118 deaths in 2007 resulted from a total 

of 104 fatal incidents. There were 7 firefighter 

fatality incidents where 2 or more firefighters were 

killed in 2007, claiming a total of 21 firefighters’ 

lives.

	•	 On January 30th, two WestVirginia firefighters

 were killed when a propane tank leak at a 

 convenience store caused an explosion.

	•	 On March 24th, two North Carolina 	 	

 firefighters were killed in the crash of a water 

 tanker (tender) while responding to a reported 

 structure fire.

	•	 On June 18th, nine Charleston, South 	 	

 Carolina, firefighters were killed when they 

 became disoriented in a fast-moving fire in a 

 retail furniture store.

	•	 On July 21st, two California firefighters 	 	

 died when they became trapped by rapid fire 

 progress in a residential fire.

	•	 On August 3rd, two Texas firefighters died

 during firefighting efforts in a residence.

On June 18, 2007, nine South 

Carolina firefighters died in a 

structure fire. Exclusive of the 9/11 

attack, this is the highest loss of 

firefighter’s lives in a structure fire 

since the Hotel Vendome collapse 

in Boston on June 17, 1972 that 

claimed the lives of nine firefighters.

	•	 On August 18th, two NewYork City firefighters

 died in a highrise fire that occurred in a 

 building undergoing demolition as a result 

 of damage the building received in the attacks 

 of September 11, 2001.

	•	 On August 29th, two Boston firefighters 	 	

 died when a fire in a small restaurant suddenly 

 expanded and trapped them.

Wildland F

In 2007, 11 firefighters were killed during 

activities involving brush, grass, or wildland 

firefighting. This total includes part-time and 

seasonal wildland firefighters, full-time wildland 

firefighters, and municipal or volunteer firefighters 

whose deaths are related to a wildland fire (Figure 

3). This is the lowest level of wildland-related 

firefighter deaths in over a decade.

Five firefighters were killed in vehicle crashes 

related to wildland firefighting duties. Two of 

those firefighters were killed in crashes involving 

their personal vehicles as they responded to 

wildland incidents; one in Indiana and one in 

Pennsylvania. A South Carolina firefighter died 

in a crash as he returned to his base station after 

having participated in a day-long prescribed burn, 

and a North Carolina firefighter was killed when 

a crash on the opposite side of a divided highway 

Year Number of

Incidents

Total Number of

Deaths

2007 7 21

2006 6 17

2005 4 10

2004 3 6

2003 7 20

2002 9 25

2001 8 362

2001 w/oWTC 7 18

2000 5 10

1999 6 22

1998 10 22

Table 1: Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents
8

caused a tractor-trailer truck to cross over the 

median into the firefighter’s lane. A California 

firefighter was killed when the bulldozer he was 

operating overturned while working at a wildland 

fire.

Three firefighters engaged in wildland firefighting 

duties died as the result of heart attacks: An 

Ohio firefighter suffered a heart attack as he and 

other firefighters stood by in their fire station 

for a response to a mutual-aid wildland fire. An 

Idaho firefighter died in April after completing a 

wildland pack test and subsequently experiencing 

a heart attack. A Tennessee firefighter suffered 

a heart attack in August of 2007 as he flagged a 

proposed fire line.

A Kansas fire officer was killed when he came 

into contact with an energized powerline while 

fighting a wildland fire. The line had fallen to the 

ground when a power pole was struck by a truck, 

resulting in the fire.

A Florida firefighter was killed when he was 

crushed by a falling tree during power saw 

training in November.

The only aircraft firefighting death of 2007 

occurred when a helicopter contacted trees 

during a supply dropoff operation. The helicopter 

crashed and the pilot was killed.

In 2007, there were no multiple 

firefighter fatality incidents related to 

wildland firefighting. This is only the 

second year for no multiple wildland 

fatality incidents in over a decade.

Figure 3. Firefighter Fatalities Related to Wildland Firefighting (1997-2007).
9

Year Total Number

of Deaths

Number

of Fatal

Incidents

Number of Firefighters

Killed in MultipleDeath Incidents

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

2000 19 16 6

1999 27 26 2

1998 14 13 2

Year Total Number of

Deaths

Number of Fatal

Incidents

2007 1 1

2006 8 3

2005 6 2

2004 3 3

2003 7 4

2002 6 3

2001 6 3

2000 6 5

1999 0 0

1998 3 2

Table 2: Firefighter Deaths Associated with 

Wildland Firefighting

Table 3: Wildland Firefighting Aircraft Deaths

Figure 4. Firefighter Fatalities per 100,000 Fires.
10

Activities related to emergency incidents 

resulted in the deaths of 76 firefighters in 

2007, up from 61 such deaths in 2006 (Figure 

5). This includes all firefighters who died 

while responding to an emergency, while at 

an emergency scene, while returning from the 

emergency incident, and other emergency-related 

activities. Nonemergency activities accounted 

for 42 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.

A multiyear historical perspective concerning 

the percentage of firefighter deaths that occurred 

during emergency duty is presented in Table 4. 

The data for 2003 and after is skewed somewhat 

by the inclusion of firefighters covered by the 

changes resulting from the Hometown Heroes Act 

of 2003.

Year Percentage of All 

Deaths

Percentage of All 

Deaths Without 

Hometown Heroes

2007 64.4 72.4

2006 57.5 66.3

2005 52.1 60.6

2004 68.9 75.9

2003 69 69.6

2002 73 n/a

2001 65 n/a

2001 with WTC 92 n/a

2000 71 n/a

1999 87 n/a

1998 77 n/a

Type of Duty Number of Deaths

Fireground Operations 38

Responding/Returning 26

Other On Duty 20

Training 11

Nonfire Emergencies 8

After an Incident 15

Total 118

The number of deaths by type of duty being 

performed in 2007 is shown in Table 5 and 

presented graphically in Figure 6. As has been the 

case for most years, fireground duties are the most 

common type of duty for firefighters killed while 

on duty. 

Ty p e o f Dut

Figure 5. Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty (2007).

Table 4: Emergency Duty Firefighter Deaths

Table 5: Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty (2007)
11

Firegro

Thirty-eight firefighters died while engaged 

in activities at the scene of a fire in 2007. 

Traditionally the fire scene is the most hazardous 

work area for firefighters each year. When 

compared with the sheer number of responses to 

nonfire emergencies such as emergency medical 

incidents by firefighters, the fireground is more 

dangerous than the scene of a medical emergency 

by orders of magnitude. Thirty-five fireground 

deaths were associated with structure fires and 

three were associated with wildland fires.

Five of the seven multiple firefighter fatality 

incidents that occurred in 2007 were on the 

firegound. These incidents claimed the lives of 17 

firefighters:

	•	 Nine Charleston, South Carolina, firefighters

 were killed when they became disoriented and 

 overcome by smoke and fire conditions during 

 a fire in a retail furniture store.

	•	 Two Contra Costa County, California, 	 	

 firefighters died when fire progressed rapidly 

 during a residential structure fire.

	•	 Two Tyler,Texas, area firefighters were killed in

 a residential structure fire in August.

	•	 Two NewYork City firefighters were 	 	

 killed when they were unable to exit the 

 hazardous area during a highrise fire in a 

 building undergoing demolition.

	•	 Two Boston firefighters died in a restaurant fire

 when fire conditions changed rapidly.

Nine firefighters suffered heart attacks at fire 

scenes in 2007, one more than in 2006. All nine 

heart attacks occurred at structure fires.

In addition to the multiple firefighter fatality 

incidents described above, 12 firefighters died of 

traumatic injuries on the fireground in 2007:

	•	 Three firefighters were killed in separate 		

 incidents as a result of structural collapses. 

 Two of the incidents occurred in Pennsylvania 

 and involved motorcycles: The first involved 

 the collapse of a former motorcycle garage 

 that was on fire, and the other fire was caused 

 by a gasoline spill from a motorcycle 

 undergoing repair. The third incident 

 occurred in Nebraska, and involved the 

 collapse of a residence while firefighters were 

 advancing hoselines to the interior.

	•	 Two firefighters died in separate incidents

 when they fell into the basement of residences 

 involved in fire. Both incidents occurred in 

 January, one in Indiana and one in Tennessee. 

 In one case, the structure used traditional 

 full-dimension lumber and, in the other, 

 engineered lumber products were involved.

	•	 Two firefighters were killed in residential

 structure fires when they were trapped by 

 rapid fire progress: one in Virginia and the 

 other in Georgia.

Figure 6. Fatalities by Type of Duty (2007).
12

	•	 Eight firefighters were killed in crashes 	 	

 that involved their personal vehicles while 

 responding to an incident. In seven of the 

 eight fatalities, the firefighter was not wearing 

 a seatbelt. In six of the eight personal vehicle 

 crashes while responding, excessive speed was 

 citied as a factor in the crash.

•	 A North Carolina fire officer crashed while

 operating a motorcycle and returning from a 

 motor vehicle crash. A Michigan firefighter 

 was killed when a tree fell onto his personal 

 vehicle as he responded to an incident.

Six firefighters suffered heart attacks and one 

firefighter suffered a cerebrovascular accident 

(CVA) while responding to an incident or 

returning from an incident. Heart attacks or 

CVAs occurred as firefighters began their response 

from home, while at the fire station preparing to 

respond, while driving or as a passenger in an 

emergency vehicle, and while returning from an 

incident.

Four firefighters died as the result of tanker 

(tender) crashes while responding to an incident. 

Two North Carolina firefighters died in a tanker 

	•	 A Florida fire officer was injured at a structure

 fire and subsequently died of a pulmonary 

 embolism when a blood clot from the injury 

 travelled to his lungs.

	•	 A NewYork City firefighter fell to his death

 from an aerial ladder (or from the roof near an 

 aerial ladder) during a structure fire.

	•	 A helicopter crash claimed the life of a pilot

 engaged in supply delivery duties at a wildland 

 fire in California.

	•	 A Kansas fire officer was electrocuted at a

 wildland fire.

	•	 A California wildland firefighter was killed

 when he was crushed by the rollover of a 

 bulldozer he was operating.

Resp

Twenty-six firefighters died while responding to 

or returning from emergency incidents in 2007: 

24 while responding to an emergency incident, 

and 2 while returning from an emergency. 

Ten firefighters were killed in crashes that involved 

personal vehicles, nine while responding and one 

while returning from an emergency:

The failure of engineered lumber 

trusses under fire conditions has 

been a factor in at least 3 firefighter 

fatalities in 2006 and 2007.

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 26

2006 15

2005 22

2004 23

2003 36

2002 13

2001 23

2000 19

1999 26

1998 14

Two of the three female firefighter 

fatalities in 2007 occurred in vehicle 

crashes while responding.

Table 6: Firefighter Deaths While Responding to 

or Returning From an Inciden
13

crash in March and two firefighters died in 

separate tanker crashes in Maine and Alabama; 

both crashes occurred in May.

Four firefighters died in crashes that involved fire 

apparatus: three in engines and one in a ladder 

truck. One firefighter died in a crash that involved 

a fire police van.

Other O

In 2007, 20 firefighters died on duty while 

engaged in activities that were not on the scene of 

an emergency or associated with training:

	•	 Fourteen firefighters suffered heart attacks

 while on duty but not assigned to an incident 

 or emergency response.

	•	 Two firefighters died as the result of injuries

 that they received after a fall from fire 

 apparatus. One firefighter was loading hose 

 and the other firefighter was loading an 

 antique fire engine on a trailer when the falls 

 occurred.

	•	 In separate incidents, two California 	 	

 firefighters died in vehicle crashes while on 

 duty.

	•	 A Utah fire chief drowned after his fire 	 	

 department vehicle crashed into a reservoir.

	•	 A South Carolina firefighter died in a vehicle

 crash as he drove back to base from a 

 prescribed burn.

Tra

In 2007, 11 firefighters died while they were 

engaged in training activities:

	•	 Seven of the deaths were heart attacks. T

 firefighters experienced heart attacks while 

 out of town for training events; two heart 

 attacks occurred during or shortly after fitness 

 evaluations; two heart attacks occurred during 

 firefighting training; and one heart attack 

 occurred as the firefighter participated in 

 physical fitness activities.

•	 Two firefighters were killed in vehicle crashes

 as they returned from mandatory training 

 activities.

	•	 A Maryland firefighter was killed when she

 was severely burned during live fire training in 

 an acquired residential structure.

	•	 A Florida firefighter was killed by a falling

 pine tree during wildland firefighter training.

Table 7 offers a multiyear perspective on training 

deaths.

NonFire

Eight firefighters died when they became ill or 

were injured while on the scene of emergencies 

that did not involve fire:

	•	 Two WestVirginia firefighters were killed when

 propane escaping from a storage cylinder at a 

 local convenience store ignited and exploded.

	•	 Two firefighters died at emergency medical

 incidents. Two more died of heart attacks 

 at special operations incidents: one at a 

 hazardous materials incident and one at a 

 technical rescue.

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 11

2006 9

2005 14

2004 13

2003 12

2002 11

2001 14

2000 13

1999 3

1998 12

Table 7: Firefighter Deaths During Training
14

	•	 An Illinois firefighter was struck and killed

 by a passing bus while working on the scene 

 of a disabled truck.

	•	 An Arkansas firefighter fell from a bridge as he

 assisted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash.

Aftr

Fifteen firefighters died after the conclusion of 

their onduty activity. All 15 deaths were heart 

attacks. Twelve of the deaths were included in 

this study as a result of the Hometown Heroes Act 

inclusion criteria change.

Career, Vo

Wildland Dea

Du

Figure 7 depicts career, volunteer, and wildland 

firefighter deaths by type of duty. Wildland 

career, wildland seasonal, and wildland contractor 

deaths were grouped together. As in past years, 

a disproportionate number of fatalities was 

experienced by volunteer firefighters responding 

to and returning from alarms, as compared to 

career firefighters. 

Typ of Eme

In 2007, 70 firefighters died while responding to 

or working on the scene of an emergency. This 

number includes deaths resulting from injuries 

sustained on the incident scene or en route to the 

incident scene and firefighters who became ill 

on an incident scene and later died. It does not 

include firefighters who became ill or died while 

returning from an incident (such as a vehicle 

collision while returning from an incident). 

Figure 8 shows the number of firefighters killed 

in firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), 

hazardous materials-related incidents, and other 

emergency incidents in 2007. 

Fifty-one firefighters were killed during 

firefighting duties; 12 firefighters were killed on 

EMS calls; 3 firefighters were killed in association 

with hazardous materials incidents; and 4 were 

killed in other emergency circumstances.

Note: 70 of 118 deaths occurred during emergency responses. 

Figure 7. Career, Volunteer, and Wildland Deaths 

by Type of Duty (2007).

Figure 8. Type of Emergency Duty 

Including (2007).
15

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

lack of action, or circumstances that resulted 

directly in the fatal injury. The term “nature of 

injury” refers to the medical cause of the fatal 

injury or illness; often this is referred to as the 

physiological cause of death. A fatal injury usually 

is the result of a chain of events, the first of which 

is recorded as the cause.

Table 8 and Figure 9 show the distribution of 

deaths by cause of fatal injury or illness. 

Ca u s e o f Fata l In j u r

Stress or

Stress or overexertion is a general category that 

includes all firefighter deaths that are cardiac or 

cerebrovascular in nature such as heart attacks 

and strokes (CVAs), 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. 

Cause Number

Stress/Overexertion 55

Vehicle Collision 27

Lost/Disoriented 11

Caught/Trapped 7

Collapse 7

Struck by 5

Fall 4

Other 2

Total 118

Table 8: Cause of Fatal Injury (2007)

Firefighting is extremely strenuous physical work 

and is likely one of the most physically demanding 

activities that the human body performs. 

	•	 Fifty-five firefighters died in 2007 as a result

 of stress/overexertion:

 – Fifty-two of the stress deaths were heart 

 attacks.

 – Two firefighters died due to a CVA.

 – One firefighter died of a cardiac condition 

 that was not classified as a heart attack.

 – There were no extreme heat- or cold-related 

 deaths in 2007.

	•	 If the Hometown Heroes deaths in 2007 are

 set aside for analysis purposes, 40 percent of 

 firefighter fatalities in 2007 were caused by 

 stress or overexertion.

Figure 9. Fatalities by Cause of Fatal Injury (2007).

Note: Rounding error, does not equal 100%.
16

Year Number Percent of Fatalities

2007 55 46.6

2006 54 50.9

2005 62 53.9

2004 66 56.4

2003 51 45.9

2002 38 38

2001 43 40.9*

2000 46 44.6

1999 56 49.5

1998 43 46.2

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

Vehic

After stress or overexertion, the perennial cause 

of fatal injury resulting in the most firefighter 

fatalities is vehicle crashes. This has been the case 

for a number of years. In many cases, these deaths 

appear to have been preventable (Figure 10).

	•	 Twenty-seven firefighters were killed in 2007

 as a result of vehicle crashes.

	•	 One of these deaths occurred in an aircraft

 crash.

Table 9: Deaths Caused by Stress or Overexertion

	•	 Twenty-six firefighters were killed in 	 	

 nonaircraft vehicle crashes.

 – Eleven crashes involved the firefighter’s 

 personal vehicle.

 – Six crashes involved fire department vehicles 

 that were not apparatus.

 – Three crashes and four deaths involved a fire 

 department tanker (tender).

 – Four crashes involved other fire apparatus, 

 three engines and a ladder.

Figure 10. Firefighter Fatalities in Vehicle Collisions.
The 11 personal vehicle crash 

deaths in 2007 is the same number 

of firefighter deaths in personal 

vehicle crashes in 2005 and 2006 

combined, though only slightly more 

than the 5-year average of 10 per 

year. Many of these deaths involved 

excessive speed and/or the lack of 

seatbelt use.

17

Lost 

In two multiple-fatality incidents, 11 firefighters 

died in 2007 when they became lost or 

disoriented inside of structure fires. Nine 

Charleston, South Carolina, firefighters died when 

they became disoriented in a large retail furniture 

store, and two New York City firefighters died in 

a fire involving a highrise that was undergoing 

demolition.

Caught 

Seven firefighters were killed when they were 

caught or trapped in 2007. 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.

	•	 Two Contra Costa County, California, 	 	

 firefighters were killed when fire progressed 

 rapidly in a residential structure.

	•	 Two Boston firefighters were killed when fire

 progressed rapidly in a restaurant fire.

	•	 Firefighters in Fulton County, Georgia, and

 Prince William County, Virginia, were killed 

 in residential structure fires where conditions 

 changed rapidly.

	•	 A Baltimore firefighter was severely burned

 in a training fire in an acquired residential 

 structure.

Col

Seven firefighters died in 2007 as the result of 

structural collapses. This was the fifth most 

common cause of fatal injury for firefighters in 

2007. 

	•	 Two Texas firefighters were killed when 	 	

 a structural failure occurred while they were 

 fighting a residential structure fire.

	•	 Firefighters in Indiana and Tennessee 	 	

 were killed when the floors of the residential 

 structures in which they were operating 

 failed, and the firefighters were dropped into 

 the basement of the residence.

	•	 Two firefighters in Pennsylvania (separate

 incidents) and a firefighter in Nebraska were 

 killed when they were crushed in structural 

 collapses while they were fighting structure 

 fires.

Struck by

Being struck by an object was the sixth leading 

cause of fatal firefighter injuries in 2007. Five 

firefighters died in 2007 as the result of being 

struck by an object:

	•	 Two WestVirginia firefighters were struck and

 killed by explosion debris when propane 

 ignited and exploded.

 – One crash involved a fire department 

 bulldozer.

	•	 No seatbelt was used in 11 of the 20 cases

 where seatbelts were available and the status of 

 their use was known.
18

Enclosed Structure Firefighter Fatalities

A recent analysis of 444 firefighter fatalities that took place while the firefighter was on 

the scene of a structure fire has revealed the degree of danger associated with open and 

enclosed structure fires. An open structure is one that possesses numerous openings for 

firefighter access and egress. An enclosed structure is one with limited openings. Many “big 

box” retail stores are considered to be “enclosed” structures.

The study also determined the degree of safety provided by the strategy and tactics used 

during these operations. The analysis considered structural fire firefighter fatalities from 

January 1, 1990, through December 31, 2006. The study found that 187 or 87 percent 

of the firefighter fatalities occurred in an enclosed structure, while 36 or 16 percent of the 

fatalities occurred in an opened structure. 

In all cases, an aggressive interior attack was used. Also, 34 (87 percent) of the structure 

fires resulting in multiple firefighter fatalities occurred in an enclosed structure, while 5 (13 

percent) occurred in an open structure. 

The analysis concluded that, over a 16-year time span, firefighters using an aggressive interior 

attack in enclosed structures died far more often, in greater numbers, and with greater 

multiple line-of-duty deaths than those using the same tactical approach in open structure 

fires. In response to these significant findings, it is important that departments act to prevent 

additional firefighter deaths by adopting and implementing more appropriate enclosed 

structure tactics and Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) for use during extremely 

dangerous enclosed structure fires. 

For more information on this work, contact Captain William Mora (Ret.) at capmora@aol.com.

Coming soon to www.usfa.dhs.gov, a USFA SPECIAL REPORT--Killer Buildings: Mitigating the 

Risks and Defining Tactics for Closed-in Environments.

•	 A Florida chief officer was struck by an 	 	

 unknown object during a structure fire. He 

 received a leg injury that produced a blood 

 clot that resulted in a pulmonary embolism.

	•	 A Florida firefighter was struck by a tree 		

 during wildland firefighting training.

	•	 An Illinois firefighter was struck by a passing

 bus as he worked at a roadside incident.

Fal

Four firefighters died in 2007 as the result of 

falls. Two firefighters died in separate incidents 

when they fell from the top of a fire department 

apparatus; a New York City firefighter fell from 

the roof of a structure (or from a fire department 

aerial ladder); an Arkansas firefighter fell to his 

death from a bridge as he assisted at the scene of a 

motor vehicle crash.
19

Ot

Two firefighters died in 2007 of a cause that is not 

categorized above. A Kansas fire officer died when 

he came into contact with an electrical line while 

fighting a wildland fire. A New York firefighter 

died of an unknown cause while attending the 

National Fire Academy (NFA). 

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration
20

Natu re o f Fata l In j u

Table 10 and Figure 11 show the distribution of 

the 118 firefighter deaths that occurred in 2007 

by the medical nature of the fatal injury or illness. 

Nature Number

Heart Attack 52

InternalTrauma 33

Asphyxiation 18

Burns 7

Crushed 3

CVA 2

Electrocution 1

Other 2

Total 118

Table 10: Nature of Fatal Injury (2007)

Heart

Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of 

death for 2007, with 52 firefighter deaths, up 

slightly from the 50 deaths in 2006, but down 

from 55 heart attack deaths in 2005, and 61 

heart attack deaths in 2004. Figure 12 provides 

a detailed breakdown of heart attacks by type of 

duty.

	•	 Fifteen firefighters died of heart attacks that

 struck after the conclusion of an incident 

 response or onduty period.

 – These firefighters suffered heart attacks 

 within 24 hours of onduty stressful or 

 strenuous activity.

 – The timing of illness onset can range from 

 when the firefighter is walking from the 

 station to his or her vehicle after the 

 conclusion of the incident to the next day.

 – All of the firefighters included in this report 

 under the Hometown Heroes Act criteria are 

 in this group.

	•	 Thirteen firefighters died as the result of heart

 attacks that occurred while the firefighter was 

on duty but not assigned to training or 

 response duties.

	•	 Nine heart attacks struck firefighters who

 were working on the scene of a fire incident. 

 These incidents include firefighters who were 

 engaged in firefighting tasks such as advancing 

 hoselines, includes firefighters on the scene 

Figure 11. Fatalities by Nature of Fatal Injury (2007).
21

 performing support functions such as pump 

 operations.

	•	 Six heart attacks killed firefighters who 	 	

 were engaged in training activities. In 2007, 

 these deaths include two firefighters who 

 were performing physical fitness evaluations 

 and firefighters that became ill while training 

 on firefighting related tasks such as self- 

 contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) drills.

	•	 Five firefighters suffered heart attacks while

 responding to an emergency in 2007. 

 This includes firefighters who became ill 

 as they responded to the fire station, at the fire 

 station while preparing to respond, and during 

 the response to the incident scene.

	•	 Three firefighters were struck with fatal heart

 attacks while working at a nonfire emergency 

 in 2007. This included a firefighter working 

 at a hazardous materials emergency.

	•	 One firefighter died in 2007 as the result of

 a heart attack that occurred as he drove away 

 from a reported structure fire that turned out 

 to be illegal burning.

Intern

In 2007, 33 firefighters died due to internal 

physical trauma. This grouping includes most 

firefighters killed in vehicle crashes as well as those 

who received physical injuries resulting from 

events such as a building collapse. 

	•	 Motor vehicle-related incidents accounted

 for the deaths of 24 firefighters due to 

 traumatic injuries.

 – Nine firefighters died in crashes involving 

 their personal vehicles: eight while 

 responding to and one while returning 

 from an emergency. While the death of 

 one firefighter resulted from a tree falling 

 on his vehicle during a response, the vast 

 majority of these crashes are at least 

 partially the result of excessive speed. The 

 lack of seatbelt use is also a very common 

 factor in these deaths. 

 – Four firefighters died in three incidents 

 involving tankers (tenders). Although 

 tankers make up an estimated 3 percent 

 of the fire service fleet, they are the second 

 most common type of vehicle involved in 

 crashes that result in firefighter fatalities, 

 after personal vehicles.

Figure 12. Heart Attacks by Type of Duty (2007).
22

 – Three firefighters were killed in fire 

 apparatus crashes involving engine 

 apparatus, and one firefighter died when 

 he was ejected from a fire police van that 

 was involved in a collision.

 – Two California chief officers were killed 

 in single-vehicle crashes that involved their 

 government vehicles.

 – Three firefighters were killed in crashes 

 that involved their fire department vehicles.

 – One firefighter was killed in the crash of a 

 helicopter that contacted trees as it made a 

 supply drop at a wildland fire.

 – A California firefighter was killed in a 

 wildland bulldozer rollover.

	•	 Four firefighters died of traumatic injuries

 received in falls. Two firefighters fell from 

 apparatus, one fell from a roof (or aerial 

 ladder), and one fell from a bridge.

	•	 Two WestVirginia firefighters were killed when

 leaking propane found an ignition source and 

 exploded.

	•	 An Illinois firefighter was killed when he was

 stuck by a bus as he worked a roadside 

 incident.

	•	 A Pennsylvania firefighter died in the collapse

 of a burning structure, and a Florida firefighter 

 died as the result of a pulmonary embolism 

 resulting from a fireground injury.

Asp

Asphyxiation was the third leading medical reason 

for firefighter deaths in 2007, as it was in 2006. 

Eighteen firefighters died due to asphyxiation 

in 2007. Sixteen of the deaths were related to 

structure fires; one involved a drowning; and one 

involved a vehicle crash.

	•	 Nine Charleston firefighters died of smoke

 inhalation and thermal injuries while fighting 

 a fire in a retail furniture store.

	•	 Three firefighters died of asphyxiation while

 fighting residential fires in Georgia, Indiana, 

 and Tennessee.

	•	 Two NewYork City firefighters died of 	 	

 asphyxiation while fighting a fire in a high-

 rise structure.

	•	 One of the two Boston firefighters killed in a

 restaurant fire died of smoke inhalation.

	•	 A Nebraska firefighter died from positional

 asphyxiation after a structural collapse during 

 a residential fire fight.

	•	 A Utah chief officer drowned after his vehicle

 veered from the roadway and submerged in 

 the water of a reservoir.

	•	 A South Carolina firefighter died of 	 	

 asphyxiation after he was involved in a 

 personal vehicle crash. The vehicle burst into 

 flames after coming to rest.

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 33

2006 24

2005 32

2004 31

2003 41

2002 34

2001 28*

2000 36

1999 25

1998 27

*Does not include the firefighter deaths of September 11, 2001, in 

New York City.

Table 11: Internal Trauma Firefighter Deaths
23

B

Seven firefighters died as a result of burns in 

2007. Multiple fatality incidents in California and 

Texas led to the deaths of four firefighters due to 

burns. One of the two Boston firefighters who 

died in a restaurant fire died due to burns. A 

Virginia firefighter killed in a residential fire and a 

Baltimore firefighter killed during live fire training 

also died as the result of burns.

Cr

Three firefighters were fatally crushed in 2007: 

A Florida firefighter was crushed by a fallen tree 

during training, a Chicago firefighter was crushed 

under a ladder truck after it was involved in a 

crash, and a Pennsylvania firefighter was crushed 

in a structural collapse at a residential fire.

Cerebrov

Two firefighters died in 2007 as a result of 

strokes (CVAs): One firefighter became ill while 

responding, and the other firefighter became ill 

after a protracted physical rescue of an ill person 

over rough terrain.

Ele

A Kansas firefighter was electrocuted as he fought 

a wildland fire. He came into contact with a live 

wire while advancing a hoseline to control a brush 

fire that was ignited by the fallen line. 

Ot

Two firefighters died in 2007 in situations where 

the nature of their deaths does not fall into any of 

the categories described above:

	•	 A NewYork firefighter died while attending

 the NFA. The nature of his illness is unknown.

	•	 A Kansas firefighter died of a heart condition

 that is not considered a heart attack.

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 18

2006 12

2005 8

2004 5

2003 6

2002 15

2001 18

2000 13

1999 16

1998 15

Table 12: Firefighter Deaths due to Asphyxiation

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration
24

Fire f ig hte r A

Figure 13 shows the percentage distribution of 

firefighter deaths by age and nature of the fatal 

injury. Table 13 provides a count of firefighter 

fatalities by age and the nature of the fatal injury.

In 2007, as in most prior years, 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. Stressrelated deaths are absent below the 31 to 35 years 

of age category. The youngest firefighter to die 

of a cardiac-related cause in 2007 was age 34. 

Statistics show that stress plays an increasing role 

in firefighter deaths as age increases. 

The youngest firefighter killed on duty in 2007 was Firefighter Brandon Michael Whimple of 

North Carolina. He was a passenger in a tanker that was involved in a crash while responding 

to a structure fire. He was 19 years old.

The oldest firefighter killed on duty in 2007 was Fire Chief Carl Stanley Engdahl of Kansas. He 

died as the result of a heart attack suffered at a residential fire. He was 78 years old.

Age Range Nontrauma Total Trauma Total

under 21 0

21 to 25 0 6

26 to 30 0 9

31 to 35 3 6

36 to 40 8 10

41 to 45 8 8

46 to 50 9 8

51 to 60 16 6

61 and over 13 3

Table 14: Firefighter Ages and Nature of Fatal Injury

Figure 13. Fatalities by Age and Nature (2007).
25

Fixe d Pro p e r ty Us e f o r Str u

Fire f ig htin g D

There were 30 fatalities in 2007 where 

firefighters became ill or injured while on the 

scene or engaged in structural firefighting and the 

fixed property use is known. Table 14 shows the 

distribution of these deaths by fixed property use. 

In most years, residential occupancies accounted 

for the highest number of these fireground 

fatalities. In 2007, commercial occupancyrelated deaths were just as frequent as residential 

occupancy-related deaths. This is partially 

accounted for by the deaths of nine Charleston 

firefighters in a commercial occupancy.

Table 15 shows the number of firefighter deaths 

in residential occupancies for the past 10 years. 

Based on NFPA national estimates, fires in 

residential structures account for approximately 

76 percent of all structure fires annually. Civilian 

fire deaths in residential structures account for 

approximately 97 percent of all structure fire 

deaths each year. Historically, the frequency of 

firefighter deaths in relation to the number of fires 

is much higher for nonresidential structures.

Fixed Property Use Number Percent

Residential 15 50%

Commercial 15 50%

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 15

2006 15

2005 18

2004 15

2003 10

2002 21

2001 17

2000 21

1999 23

1998 17

Table 15: Firefighter Ages and Nature of Fatal Injury

Table 14: Structural Firefighting Deaths by Fixed Property Use in 2007
26

Ty p e o f Ac

In 2007, there were a total of 38 firefighter 

deaths on the fireground. Table 16 and Figure 14 

show the types of fireground activities firefighters 

were engaged in at the time they sustained their 

fatal injuries or illnesses. This total includes all 

firefighting duties, such as wildland firefighting 

and structural firefighting.

Nature Number

Fire Attack 19

Search and Rescue 7

Standby and Scene Safety 5

Ventilation 3

Incident Command 2

Water Supply 2

Total 38

Fire 

In 2007, 19 firefighters were killed as they 

engaged in direct fire attack, such as advancing or 

operating a hoseline at a fire scene (see Table 17). 

These include

	•	 Eight of the nine firefighters killed in a retail

 furniture store fire.

	•	 Two NewYork City firefighters killed in a

 highrise fire near Ground Zero.

	•	 Two firefighters who fell into fire-involved

 basements in separate residential fires.

	•	 Three firefighters (in separate incidents) who

 were killed in the collapse of structures during 

 fires.

	•	 Two firefighters who suffered heart attacks at

 structure fires.

Table 16: Type of Activity (2007)

Figure 14. Fatalities by Type of Activity (2007).

Year Number of Firefighter

Deaths

2007 19

2006 24

2005 11

2004 16

2003 11

2002 13

2001 13

2000 13

1999 16

1998 18

Table 17: Firefighter Deaths While Engaged in 

Fire Attack

Note: Onscene fire only deaths account for 38 of 118 fatalities.
27

	•	 A Boston firefighter who was overcome by fire

 progress in a restaurant fire.

	•	 A Kansas firefighter who was electrocuted

 while fighting a wildland fire.

Sea

Seven firefighters were killed in 2007 as they 

engaged in search and rescue activities:

	•	 Two Contra Costa County, California, 	 	

 firefighters were overcome by fire progress as 

 they searched a residence.

	•	 One of the Boston firefighters killed in a 		

 restaurant fire was engaged in searching the 

 structure.

	•	 One of the Charleston firefighters killed in a

 retail furniture store fire was thought to have 

 been searching for a trapped employee.

	•	 Firefighters in Fulton County, Georgia, 	 	

 and Prince William County, Virginia, were 

 searching residential structures when they 

 were overcome by fire conditions.

	•	 A NewYork firefighter suffered a heart attack

 as he searched a fire-involved apartment.

Stanby a

Five firefighters died in 2007 while performing 

standby or scene safety duties at the fire scene:

	•	 Two firefighters suffered heart attacks while on

 the scene of fire incidents performing support 

 and scene safety duties.

	•	 A helicopter pilot was killed in a crash while

 delivering supplies.

	•	 A wildland heavy equipment operator lost his

 life when his bulldozer overturned.

	•	 A Florida chief officer was injured and 	 	

 later died as a complication of his injury after 

 performing support duties on a fire scene.

Ve

Three firefighters died in 2007 while performing 

ventilation duties on the fire scene: Two Texas 

firefighters were overcome by fire progress, and 

a New York City firefighter died in a fall while 

assigned to ventilation duties.

Inc

Two fire chiefs died in 2007 while serving as 

the Incident Commander for fires in Kansas and 

Pennsylvania.

Pump Ope

Sup

Two firefighters died in 2007 while engaged in 

water supply duties. Both were operating fire 

pumpers at structure fires. One death was in 

Michigan and the other was in Wisconsin.

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration
28

Ti m e o f In j u r 

The distribution of all 2007 firefighter deaths according to the time of day when the fatal injury occurred 

is illustrated in Figure 15. The time of fatal injury for four firefighters was either unknown or unreported. 

Figure 15. Fatalities by Time of Fatal Injury (2007).
29

Mo nth o f th e Ye

Figure 16 illustrates the 2007 firefighter fatalities by month of the year. 

Figure 16. Deaths by Month of Year (2007).
30

State a n d Re g

The distribution of firefighter deaths in 2007 by State is shown in Table 18. Firefighters based in 33 

States and the District of Columbia died in 2007.

The highest number of firefighter deaths, based on the location of the fire service organization in 2007, 

occurred in South Carolina with 11 deaths. Pennsylvania had the next highest total of firefighter fatalities 

at 10, followed by New York at 9 deaths.

State Fatalities Percentage

Alabama 3 2.54%

Arkansas 2 1.69%

Arizona 1 0.84%

California 9 7.62%

Connecticut 1 0.84%

District of Columbia 1 0.84%

Florida 4 3.38%

Georgia 2 1.69%

Idaho 2 1.69%

Illinois 5 4.23%

Indiana 3 2.54%

Kansas 5 4.23%

Kentucky 3 2.54%

Louisiana 1 0.84%

Massachusetts 4 3.38%

Maryland 1 0.84%

Maine 1 0.84%

Table 18: Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fire Service* (2007) 

State Fatalities Percentage

Michigan 5 4.23%

Mississippi 1 0.84%

North Carolina 8 6.77%

Nebraska 1 0.84%

New Jersey 5 4.23%

New York 9 7.62%

Ohio 5 4.23%

Oklahoma 1 0.84%

Pennsylvania 10 8.47%

South Carolina 11 9.32%

Tennessee 3 2.54%

Texas 3 2.54%

Utah 1 0.84%

Virginia 1 0.84%

Washington 1 0.84%

Wisconsin 2 1.69%

West Virginia 3 2.54%

* 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 NETC.
31

Figure 17. Firefighter Fatalities by Region (2007).

erNearMiss.com .FireFight www • www.FireHero.org • www.EveryOneGoesHome.com
Figure 18. On Duty Firefighter Fatalities 2007 (1990-2006 also shown)

32
33

An a ly si s o f Ur b a n/Ru r 

Su bu r b a n Patte r n s in Fire f

Fata it

The United States 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 2007 

firefighter fatalities. These statistics are based on 

answers from the fire departments and, when 

no data from the departments were available, the 

data are based upon population and area served as 

reported by the fire departments.

Urban/Suburban Rural Federal or State Parks/Wildland Total

Firefighter Deaths 64 46 8 118

Table 19: Firefighter Deaths by Coverage Area Type
In C o ncl u si o

In 2007, the families of fallen firefighters, the 

fire departments that sustained a loss, and the fire 

service as a whole in the United States suffered 

another year of unacceptable death and injury. 

The 118 deaths in 2007 marked a nearly 11 

percent increase in deaths from the 106 suffered 

in 2006. The lessons that we learn from these 

tragic incidents serve the fire service best if they 

are used as the basis of preventing future deaths.

The USFA, NIOSH, the NFFF, and a host of other 

national fire service organizations are making 

major efforts to reduce injuries and deaths. 

None of these efforts will be successful until we 

change the basic culture of firefighting to one that 

considers risk more actively. We must not fall into 

the old adage that injuries and deaths “are part of 

the business.” This is an unacceptable philosophy.

There are many facets to the firefighter fatality 

problem. Some fatalities could be avoided by 

actions as simple as slowing down the speed of a 

response, or wearing a seatbelt. Other problems, 

such as building construction and firefighter 

health issues, require a more comprehensive and 

longer-term solution.

No mission is more important to the fire service 

than the elimination of needless firefighter deaths. 

This document seeks to support this effort in some 

small way.

34

In memory of all firefighters

who answered their last call in 2007

To their families and friends

To their service and sacrifice
35

S p e c i a l To p i c—S e atb e 

In 2007, 27 firefighter fatalities resulted from 

vehicle-related incidents. In 19 of the non- aircraft 

incidents where seatbelt status was known, 11 

firefighters were not wearing seatbelts at the 

time of the event. This 2007 statistic continues a 

disappointing trend from previous years. Fatalities 

in 2007 where seatbelts were not used were 

distributed across the volunteer and career fireEMS service involving multiple vehicle types, 

under a range of circumstances.

Some examples of 2007 firefighter fatalities where 

seatbelts were not used are summarized below:

March 24, 2007—Rhodestown (NC) Volunteer 

Fire Department Firefighters Billy Harold 

Williams and Brandon Michael Whimple were 

the driver and passenger, respectively, of a 

1,200-gallon water tanker (tender) responding 

to a reported structure fire. 

As the apparatus left a slight left-hand curve, 

Firefighter Williams braked and steered to the 

left. The apparatus crossed the center line of the 

roadway. Firefighter Williams overcorrected/

oversteered and the apparatus began to skid 

sideways. The apparatus left the right side 

of the roadway, then skidded back onto the 

roadway and overturned.

Firefighter Whimple was trapped under the 

vehicle and had to be extricated with a heavy 

tow truck. Firefighter Williams was ejected in 

the course of the crash. Neither firefighter was 

wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

May 19, 2007—Captain John Francis Keane 

was the Company Officer for Waterbury (CT) 

Fire Department Engine 8. At 1034 hours 

on May 19, 2007, Engine 8 and several other 

fire department units were dispatched to a 

possible kitchen fire in an apartment. Engine 

8 was operating an older, reserve piece of fire 

apparatus since their regular apparatus was in 

the shop. In addition, Engine 8 was responding 

from a location other than their fire station; the 

crew was attending a blood drive.

Engine 8 and Truck 1 entered an intersection 

at the same time from different directions. 

Truck 1 struck the left front of Engine 8. The 

impact caused the engine to spin clockwise 

approximately 180 degrees. Captain Keane and 

the driver of Engine 8 were ejected from the 

apparatus. The officer on Truck 1 was trapped 

in the vehicle and had to be extricated. All 

eight firefighters from Engine 8 and Truck 1 

were injured.

Captain Keane was transported to the hospital 

where he remained until his death on May 22, 

2007. The cause of death was listed as blunt 

head trauma.

A law enforcement investigation of the crash 

stated that Truck 1 had the green light, that a 

number of firefighters, including Captain Keane, 

were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the 

crash, and that some lines of sight at the crash 

scene were obstructed by trees.

•

•
36

July 2, 2007—Coal City Community (IN) 

Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Dennise 

Marie Leslie was responding to the fire station 

in her personal vehicle after her fire department 

was dispatched to a wildland fire. The vehicle 

was a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck.

As Firefighter Leslie crested a hill, she saw 

another vehicle waiting to make a left-hand 

turn in front of her. She moved her vehicle 

from the center of the road into her lane but 

oversteered. The right wheels of her vehicle left 

the paved roadway. Firefighter Leslie steered 

to the left in an attempt to bring her vehicle 

back onto the road. The pickup began to spin, 

travelled across the roadway, and collided with 

an earthen embankment. This caused the 

vehicle to go airborne and begin to roll over. 

The cab of the truck collided with a large tree, 

causing extensive damage to the passenger 

compartment.

When EMS responders arrived on the scene, 

Firefighter Leslie was determined to have died 

in the crash. The cause of death was listed as 

head trauma. The pickup’s airbag deployed, but 

Firefighter Leslie was not wearing a seatbelt.

In contrast to these tragic events, there are recent 

success stories where firefighters’ lives were saved 

by properly wearing seatbelts. As an example, 

on April 15, 2006, Engine 141 from the Daisy 

Mountain (AZ) Fire Department was struck by 

another vehicle on a highway 35 miles north 

of Phoenix. Despite significant damage to the 

apparatus (displayed in the photos above and 

on the left, courtesy of the Daisy Mountain Fire 

Department), all the firefighters survived with 

minor injuries; the driver of the other vehicle was 

killed, despite the firefighters’ efforts to provide 

medical care. 

The real tragedy of firefighter fatalities resulting 

from a lack of seatbelt use is that they are entirely 

preventable. Fire departments and individual 

firefighters must recognize this fact and adopt 

stringent rules, requirements, and cultural norms 

for wearing seatbelts at all times while riding 

fire apparatus, operating staff vehicles, or driving 

privately-owned vehicles (POVs).

First and foremost, all fire apparatus should be 

equipped with seatbelts, without exception. 

The 2003 edition of the NFPA 1901, Standard for 

Automotive Fire Apparatus, also requires seatbelts on 

new apparatus to be “bright red in color” to assist 

crew members and supervisors with knowing the 

seatbelt is deployed. (NFPA 1901, 2003, section 

14.1.3.1) In addition to “bright red or bright 

orange” seatbelts, the proposed 2009 edition of 

NFPA 1901 further requires the installation of 

•
37

audible/visual systems to indicate the status of 

seatbelts and seat occupancy in fire apparatus. 

(NFPA 1901 A2008 ROP draft, 2008, sections: 

14.1.3.10; 14.1.3.10.1; 14.1.3.10.2; 14.1.3.7.3)

Fire apparatus manufacturers and other 

stakeholders are exploring other engineering 

solutions to protect firefighters riding in fire 

apparatus, such as “roller coaster”-style restraints 

deployed from overhead.

The 2007 edition of the NFPA 1500, Standard on 

Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, 

requires that, “All persons riding in fire apparatus 

shall be seated and belted securely by seatbelts in 

approved riding positions at any time the vehicle 

is in motion...” (NFPA 1500, 2007, section 6.3.1) 

While NFPA 1500 does allow limited exceptions 

for hose loading (NFPA 1500, 2007, section 

6.3.4) and tiller training (NFPA 1500, 2007, 

section 6.3.5), it requires that fire departments 

allowing such exceptions do so only after 

adopting written safety procedures. 

There are a number of efforts underway to 

promote firefighter seatbelt use. One of these is 

the Brian Hunton National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge, 

started in 2006 by Dr. Burton Clark of the USFA’s 

NFA, named in honor of a 27-year-old firefighter 

from Amarillo, Texas, who fell from a fire 

apparatus on April 23, 2005, and later died from 

his injuries. A number of fire departments across 

the country have adopted the seatbelt pledge as an 

integral part of their firefighter safety efforts. The 

Dallas (TX) Fire-Rescue Department, for example, 

recently achieved 100-percent participation in the 

seatbelt pledge, representing the largest of 200 fire 

departments across the U.S. to reach this milestone 

since 2006. (Firehouse.com, 2008) 

The Pledge form is reproduced on the following 

page. More information and additional forms 

can be accessed from the now International Seatbelt 

Pledge Web site www.trainingdivision.com/

seatbeltpledge.asp

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration
38

Brian Hunton: Nationa

Firefighter Christopher Brian Hunton, age 27, was a member of the Amarillo Texas Fire Department for 1 

year. On April 23, 2005, he fell out of his fire truck responding to an alarm. He died 2 days later from 

his injuries. Brian was not wearing his seatbelt. 

I pledge to wear my seatbelt whenever I am riding in fire department vehicles. I further pledge to ensure 

that all my brother and sister firefighters riding with me wear their seatbelts.

I make this pledge willingly; to honor Brian Hunton, my brother firefighter, and because wearing 

seatbelts it is the right thing to do.

On My Honor, I So Pledge:

Department ______________________________ Address _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Please fax to the number for the time zone you are in:

(866) 638-3842 Eastern or Pacific; (817) 295-3145 Central; (817) 297-0232 Mountain. 

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name

 Signature Print Name Signature Print Name
39

The USFA’s Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative (http://

www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/research/safety/

vehicle.shtm), was developed in conjunction 

with the U.S. Department of Transportation 

(DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 

and provides several resources to assist fire 

departments with ensuring firefighter safety, 

including seatbelt use.

Working with the International Association of 

Fire Chiefs (IAFC), USFA developed the Guide 

to Model Policies and Procedures for Emergency Vehicle 

Safety (http://www.iafc.org/displaycommon.

cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=602), a comprehensive 

Web-based educational program aimed at reducing 

the impact of vehicle-related incidents on the 

fire service and the communities they protect. 

It provides indepth information for developing 

policies and procedures required to support the 

safe and effective operation of emergency vehicles 

in the fire service, as well as privately-owned 

vehicles. The Guide includes a model seatbelt 

policy:

Seatbel

Purpose: To establish appropriate and safe 

behavior regarding the use of safety belts when 

operating or riding in an emergency vehicle.

Scope: All personnel.

Policy: All persons driving or riding in fire 

department vehicles shall be seated in approved 

riding positions with seatbelts or safety 

restraints fastened at all times when the vehicle 

is in motion. 

The driver shall not begin to move the vehicle 

until all passengers are seated and properly 

secured. All passengers shall remain seated and 

secured as long as the vehicle is in motion. 

Seatbelts shall not be loosened or released 

while enroute to dress or don equipment.

Members shall not attempt to mount or 

dismount from a moving vehicle under any 

circumstances.

Exception: A fire department member who 

is providing direct patient care inside an 

ambulance shall be permitted to release 

momentarily the seatbelt while the vehicle is 

in motion—IF IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE 

PATIENT CARE. When the procedure has 

been completed, the fire department member 

shall refasten the seatbelt. Time without the 

protection of a seatbelt shall be minimized.

Note: NFPA 1500 allows this exception for the ambulance 

patient compartment; however, effective restraint systems 

are now available for ambulances. NFPA 1500 also permits 

exceptions to the seatbelt policy for hose loading and tiller 

training; however, strict guidelines must be applied to these 

activities if the exceptions are included in a departmental 

policy. The fire department should carefully consider whether 

these exceptions should be included in the departmental 

policy statement.

As part of this project, the IAFF has also developed 

a similar innovative Web and computer-based 

training and educational program—Improving 

Apparatus Response and Roadway Operations Safety in the 

Career Fire Service (http://www.iaff.org/hs/EVSP/

home.html). This comprehensive program, which 

includes both instructor and participant guides, 

discusses critical emergency vehicle safety issues 

such as seatbelt use, intersection safety, roadway 

operations safety on crowded interstates and 

local roads, and driver training. As a result of this 

course, emergency responders will be able to 

apply basic strategies to safeguard their health and 

safety while responding to and returning from 

an incident and while operating on roadways. 

The IAFF program also contains vehicle safety 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) addressing 

emergency vehicle operations, including a section 

on the use of seatbelts:
All employees are required to use seat belts at 

all times when operating a Fire Department 

vehicle. All personnel shall ride only in regular 

seats provided with seat belts. Riding on 

tailboards or other exposed positions is not 

permitted on any vehicle at any time. The 

company officer and driver of the vehicle 

shall confirm that all personnel and riders are 

on-board, properly attired, with seat belts on, 

before the vehicle is permitted to move. This 

confirmation shall require a positive response 

from each rider, as in “ready.”

Through this partnership, the NVFC has developed 

the Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations for Volunteer and Small 

Combination Emergency Service Organizations (http://

nvfc.org/page/988/Emergency_Vehicle_Safe_

Operations.htm). This innovative Web-based 

educational program includes an emergency 

vehicle safety best practices self-assessment, 

example SOGs, and behavioral motivation 

techniques to enhance emergency vehicle 

safety. The NVFC example SOG for seatbelts is 

reproduced below:

Purpose: To establish positive behavior 

regarding the use of safety belts when 

operating or riding in a vehicle. 

Scope: All personnel. 

Responsibility/Rationale: To ensure a 

culture of “buckling up” seat belts before any 

vehicle movement to prevent death, injury, or 

property damage. 

Key Points to Consider/Include:

•	Remain seated and belted anytime the 	 	

vehicle is in motion 

•	Buckle up before vehicle moves

•	Use belts whether in personal vehicle or

department vehicle 

•	REMEMBER – It’s the law.

This page depicts examples of the potential 

content for SOPs/SOGs for aspects of 

emergency services operations. It is by no 

means inclusive on all needs AND SHOULD 

NOT SIMPLY BE COPIED AND ADOPTED. 

Use this example to improve or develop your 

department wide SOPs/SOGs.

Notwithstanding the efforts of many individuals 

and organizations to help promote firefighters’ use 

of seatbelts at all times, in the final analysis the 

decision to wear a seatbelt is a personal choice. 

Every year, an unacceptable number of firefighter 

fatalities are related to a lack of seatbelt use; fire 

departments, fire chiefs, Company Officers, and 

individual firefighters must work together on all 

fronts to ensure that all firefighters “buckle-up,” 

all the time.

40
Ap p e n di

Sidney Alan Hall, Firefighter

Jeremy Christopher Adams, Fire Chief

Daryl W. Mutton, Captain

Kevin Charles Reed, Lieutenant

Kenneth Patrick Fahey, Forestry Technician

Shane Michael Daughetee, Firefighter

Anthony T. Catania, Fire Commissioner and Safety Officer

Frederick Allen “Fred” Burroughs, Captain

Craig Lawrence Dorsey II, Firefighter–EMT

Robert H. Hegney, Sr., Lieutenant

Michael L. “Mike” Fox, Firefighter

Shane Todd King, Firefighter

Jeremy Charles LaBella, Firefighter

John W. Broom-Smith, Jr., Firefighter

Joseph Torkos, Fire Engineer Operator

Racheal Michelle Wilson, Firefighter–Paramedic Apprentice

Steven Eric Vanderpool, Jr., Firefighter

Jeffrey M. Murray, Firefighter

Theodore J. Abriel, Sr., Acting Lieutenant

Paul Tyler Reynolds, Sr., Firefighter–EMT

Michael D. Sowich, Firefighter

Lucien Dale Breaux, Captain

Eddy G. Ivers, Fire Chief

William F. Grant, Firefighter

Brandon Michael Whimple, Firefighter

Billy Harold Williams, Firefighter

Steve Olinik, Jr., Firefighter

Edgar Hamlin Scott, Fire Police Captain

Christopher Michael Jaros, Firefighter

Bryan Zollner, North Region Chief of Staff Operations

Kyle Robert Wilson, Firefighter–Technician I

Billy Aaron Gafford, Jr., Captain–Paramedic

Joe Eddy Ivey, Captain

Vernon Robert “Bob” McKenzie, Firefighter

William D. Church, Sr., Fire Police Captain

Bruce Joseph Zumwalt, Firefighter

Peter Beebe-Lawson, Firefighter

Ottis Earl Stephenson, Jr., Firefighter

Brandon Lee Daley, Firefighter

Jeffrey Jeans, Firefighter–EMT

Edward Levirgil Andrews IV, Fire Captain

Joseph E. Piazzi, Deputy Chief and Fire Police Captain

John Francis Keane, Captain

Dennis Cheshire, Firefighter

Bradley William “Wally” Green, Firefighter

Felix Maurice Roberts, Firefighter II

Henry Lawrence “Hank” Pitts, Jr., Lieutenant

David A. Middleton, Firefighter

Mark Stevens Carter, Engineer–Paramedic

David Allan Rufer, Firefighter

Theodore Michael Benke, Captain

William H. “Billy” Hutchinson, Captain

Louis Mark Mulkey, Captain

Mark Wesley Kelsey, Acting Captain

Bradford Rodney “Brad” Baity, Engineer

Michael Jonathon Alan French, Assistant Engineer

Melvin Edward Champaign, Firefighter

James Allen “Earl” Drayton, Firefighter

Brandon Kenyon Thompson, Firefighter

Daniel F. Pujdak, Firefighter

Timothy Lavern Sanborn, Firefighter

Edward Charles Summers, Firefighter

Samuel W. Downing, Captain

Michael B. Douthitt, Driver–Engineer

Ronald Yale Wiley, Deputy Fire Marshal

Dennise Marie Leslie, Firefighter

Eric Robert Lyons, Firefighter

Michael James Penovich, Fire Chief

James J. McRae III, Firefighter–Technician

Stephen R. Dembski, Firefighter

Matthew Charles Burton, Captain

Scott Peter Desmond, Fire Engineer

Cornelius Myron “Storm” Nolton, Firefighter

Dennis Luster Davis, Pilot

Jon Charles Trainer, Firefighter

James Glenn “Shib” Miller, Firefighter

Nemeth Fitzhugh Sanders, Forest Fire Equipment Operator

Kevin Glenn Williams, Captain

Austin Hague Cheek, Firefighter

Gerald David “Jerry” Donley, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief

Paul Darrin Baker, Lieutenant

Todd Whitney Hage, Firefighter

Anthony Philip Cox, Captain

Glenn Williams Miller, Probationary Firefighter

Michael Paul Stephen Heuer, Fire Chief

Robert C. Beddia, Firefighter

Joseph Graffagnino, Firefighter

Jeffrey Dale Swartz, Firefighter

M.L. Hopper, Forestry Aide 2

Paul J. Cahill, Firefighter

Warren J. Payne, Firefighter

George H. Crotts, Jr., Engineer

Jared W. Zimmerly, Firefighter

Michael Dean Stanfield, Captain

Leonard R. Bailey, Jr., Fire Chief

Jerry Wayne Stucker, Firefighter–EMT

Kelly L. Page, Firefighter

William D. “Billy” McDaniels, Sr., Fire Police Captain

Bryon Wayne Johnson, Lieutenant

John E. “Dawg” Lietzke, Firefighter

Mike D. Reagan, Jr., Firefighter

Adam Edward Cole, Firefighter

Matthew Richard Will, Heavy Equipment Operator

Robert Wayne Phillips, Firefighter

Ralph M. Cross, Assistant Fire Chief

Scott A. Mumm, Lieutenant

Jeremy W. Wach, Firefighter

Carl Stanley Engdahl, Fire Chief

Ronny Allen Bennett, Fire Chief

Michael J. Tluscik, Sr., Senior Firefighter

John Jacob “JJ” Curry, Firefighter

Jon Mark Bingham, Assistant Fire Chief

Donald Wallis, Firefighter

Alphonse Vincent Germano, Jr., First Assistant Chief

Peter G. Neilson, Firefighter–Emergency Medical Responder

Raymond Charles Simonis III, Firefighter

Theresa Maria Lynn, Assistant Captain

Walter C. Fagan, Jr., Firefighter

41
42

January 3, 2007–1535 hrs

Sidney Alan Hall, Firefighter

Age 52–Volunteer

Upland Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana

The Upland Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 1521 hours. Firefighter 

Hall responded on an engine.

Upon their arrival, firefighters found a two-story wood-frame structure with heavy smoke showing. 

There was no fire visible from the exterior.

Firefighter Hall was by himself on the nozzle of an attack line a short distance into the structure. 

He began to flow water on visible fire. As he rotated to apply water, his feet fell through the floor. 

Firefighter Hall held himself at floor level with his arms but was unable to get out of the hole.

Firefighters entered the structure in an attempt to free Firefighter Hall from the hole but were unable 

to do so due to smoke conditions and the lack of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for some 

firefighters. A firefighter with an SCBA held on to Firefighter Hall to prevent him from falling into the 

basement. A large piece of plaster fell and struck this firefighter on the head. The firefighter lost his 

hold on Firefighter Hall and Firefighter Hall fell into the basement.

Firefighters lowered a ground ladder into the hole and entered the basement. After some difficulty, 

Firefighter Hall was removed from the basement and brought to a waiting ambulance. Approximately 

20 minutes had passed between the time Firefighter Hall fell into the hole and when he was removed 

from the structure.

Firefighter Hall was transported by ambulance and medical helicopter to a regional hospital. Despite 

treatment at the hospital, Firefighter Hall died on January 5, 2007. The cause of death was listed as 

positional asphyxiation.

e

January 9, 2007–1230 hrs

Jeremy Christopher Adams, Fire Chief

Age 40–Career

Springfield Fire Department, Florida

On January 9, 2007, Chief Adams and the members of his fire department responded to a mutualaid structure fire in a neighboring jurisdiction. When he returned to his fire station, Chief Adams 

complained of pain in his leg as the result of an injury he received while fighting the fire. He did not 

seek medical attention for his injury. Over the next several days, Chief Adams continued to complain 

about his leg and also began to complain of shortness of breath. He dismissed the shortness of 

breath as the onset of a chest cold.

continued on next page
On January 16, 2007, at approximately 0930 hours, Chief Adams collapsed at City Hall and was 

taken to the hospital. He was treated in the ambulance and in the hospital, but died. No autopsy 

or toxicological analysis were performed. A death certificate worksheet prepared by the medical 

examiner attributed the death to a pulmonary embolism that resulted from a blood clot associated 

with the previous leg injury.

e

January 19, 2007–1906 hrs

Daryl W. Mutton, Captain

Age 47–Volunteer

North Pulaski Fire Protection District #5, Arkansas

Captain Mutton and the members of his fire department responded to a fire alarm in a residence. 

The alarm was unintentional, and firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 1825 hours. At 

approximately 1900 hours, Captain Mutton’s family members called the fire department looking for 

Captain Mutton. He had not been seen since responding to the alarm.

Captain Mutton was found in his personal vehicle along the side of the road in cardiac arrest. He 

was taken to the hospital, but was not revived. His death was caused by a heart attack.

e

January 20, 2007–0830 hrs

Kevin Charles Reed, Lieutenant

Age 47–Career

Oakland Fire Department, California

Lieutenant Reed completed a work shift. During the shift, Lieutenant Reed responded to six 

incidents, including a residential structural fire. After getting off work, Lieutenant Reed went to a 

local gym to participate in physical fitness activities.

While riding an exercise bike, Lieutenant Reed collapsed. Other members of the gym began 

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the gym staff applied an automatic external defibrillator 

(AED). Firefighters arrived and took over the care of Lieutenant Reed. He was transported to the 

hospital, but was not revived.

Lieutenant Reed’s cause of death was cardiac-related.

43
44

January 25, 2007–2000 hrs

Kenneth Patrick Fahey, Forestry Technician

Age 35–Wildland Full-Time

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, South Carolina

Forestry Technician Fahey participated in a controlled burn. He was relieved by other firefighters and 

released to return to his base station. 

As he drove his unit back to base, the vehicle operated by Forestry Technician Fahey crossed the 

center line of the road for unknown reasons and struck an oncoming semi-truck. Both vehicles were 

estimated to have been travelling at 55 miles per hour. After impact, both vehicles burst into flames. 

Forestry Technician Fahey and the driver of the truck were killed.

Forestry Technician Fahey was driving a 3/4-ton pickup with dual rear wheels and a slip-in brush 

pump and tank assembly. The water capacity of the water tank was 200 gallons. Forestry 

Technician Fahey was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The autopsy listed the cause of death as head/neck blunt force trauma.

e

January 26, 2007–0059 hrs

Shane Michael Daughetee, Firefighter

Age 24–Volunteer

Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Tennessee

Firefighter Daughetee and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a report of a 

structure fire related to a wood stove in the basement of a residential structure. The first firefighter 

on the scene was the Incident Commander (IC), who observed fire coming from a garage door at the 

corner of the basement.

Firefighter Daughetee arrived on the first engine. A second engine established a water supply from 

a fire hydrant. Firefighter Daughetee and other firefighters entered the structure with a handline 

and encountered zero visibility conditions. A thermal imaging camera (TIC) and ventilation were 

requested. A positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan was set up in the doorway through which 

firefighters had entered. Firefighter Daughetee exited the structure to retrieve the TIC. When he 

returned, heat conditions had worsened and the floor was described as “spongy.” Firefighters 

withdrew from the structure.

Firefighter Daughetee requested the nozzle and proceeded back into the structure. The floor below 

Firefighter Daughetee collapsed and Firefighter Daughetee fell into the basement.

A firefighter who had been behind Firefighter Daughetee reached down into the hole, but Firefighter 

Daughetee was unable to reach his hand. Firefighters placed an attic ladder into the hole and called 

to Firefighter Daughetee to climb out. By this time, Firefighter Daughetee had become disoriented 

and was unable to assist with his own rescue. Firefighters entered the basement and made contact 
with Firefighter Daughetee but were unable to retrieve him due to limited air supplies and fire 

conditions.

The structure became unstable and firefighters were withdrawn from the building. Firefighter 

Daughetee’s remains were recovered by firefighters after the fire was controlled. The cause of death 

was listed as inhalation of smoke and toxic products of combustion.

The floor assembly that collapsed was later determined to be constructed with engineered lumber. A 

number of firefighter fatalities have occurred in collapses involving these materials.

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

Investigation and Prevention Program report F2007-07 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/

face200707.html).

e

January 28, 2007–1508 hrs

Anthony T. Catania, Fire Commissioner and Safety Officer

Age 76–Volunteer

Middle Island Fire Department, New York

Fire Commissioner Catania and the members of his fire department were dispatched to an 

emergency medical incident. As he was leaving his home for the response, Fire Commissioner 

Catania began to feel ill and called for other firefighters to respond to his residence.

Firefighters found Fire Commissioner Catania in the front seat of his car complaining of difficulty 

breathing and numbness. He was exhibiting signs of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (stroke). He 

was transported by fire department ambulance to the hospital, where he underwent surgery, and was 

transferred to an intensive care unit. Fire Commissioner Catania did not recover from his illness. He 

died on February 2, 2007.

Fire Commissioner Catania responded to a total of four incidents in the 24-hour period prior to the 

onset of his illness.

e

January 30, 2007–1053 hrs

Frederick Allen “Fred” Burroughs, Captain

Age 51–Volunteer

Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department, West Virgini

Craig Lawrence Dorsey II, Firefighter–EMT

Age 24–Volunteer

Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department, West Virgini

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.

45
46

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

Firefighter Dorsey was on duty and responded as a part of an ambulance crew. Captain Burroughs 

was working his regular job as a county building inspector and responded in his county vehicle.

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.

An explosion occurred at approximately 1053 hours. Captain Burroughs, Firefighter Dorsey, and two 

gas company employees were killed in the blast. Five other people received serious injuries.

The cause of death for both Captain Burroughs and Firefighter Dorsey was listed as trauma.

An investigation by the United States Chemical Safety Board is ongoing. Preliminary work suggests 

a valve malfunction contributed to the leak and subsequent explosion. Additional information about 

this investigation can be found at http://www.csb.gov

e

February 1, 2007–0130 hrs

Robert H. Hegney, Sr., Lieutenant

Age 53–Volunteer

Se-Wy-Co Volunteer Fire Company, Pennsylvania

Lieutenant Hegney responded to a mutual-aid residential structure fire as the driver of his fire 

department’s ladder truck on February 1, 2007. The ladder company was not used at the scene, but 

was assigned to Staging. The unit was released from the scene at 1708 hours. That evening, at the 

fire company’s weekly drill, Lieutenant Hegney told other firefighters that he was feeling ill.

Lieutenant Hegney performed a number of maintenance and administrative activities at the fire 

station on February 2. He again complained of not feeling well.

At approximately midnight, Lieutenant Hegney went to the hospital complaining of heart attack 

symptoms. He was evaluated and brought to a heart catheterization lab for treatment. Lieutenant 

Hegney died during the procedure. The cause of death was listed as a heart attack.
February 2, 2007–0025 hrs

Michael L. “Mike” Fox, Firefighter

Age 37–Volunteer

Vergennes Fire Department, Illinois

Firefighter Fox was driving a fire department ambulance responding to a medical emergency. 

Firefighter Fox began to experience difficulty breathing but was able to pull the ambulance safely to 

the side of the road before becoming unconscious.

The firefighter who had been riding as the passenger in the ambulance provided CPR, and Firefighter 

Fox was transported to the hospital. He was pronounced dead due to a heart attack at 0109 hours.

e

February 3, 2007–1400 hrs

Shane Todd King, Firefighter

Age 29–Career

Danville Fire Department, Kentuck

Firefighter King was returning from fire department-mandated emergency medical training in a 

neighboring county. He was driving his personal vehicle, a 1998 Ford Ranger pickup.

As Firefighter King drove north on a local highway, he crossed the center line of the highway for 

reasons unknown and struck an oncoming tractor-trailer rig.

Firefighter King was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and his vehicle’s airbag deployed. 

He was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. Firefighter King died at the scene of multiple 

blunt trauma.

e

February 4, 2007–0931 hrs

Jeremy Charles LaBella, Firefighter

Age 27–Career

Washington Fire Department, Pennsylvania

Firefighters from the Washington Fire Department and several mutual-aid fire departments 

responded to a fire in an old motorcycle shop. Firefighter LaBella was a part of the first crew to arrive 

on the scene. Heavy black smoke was showing from the building.

Firefighter LaBella and another firefighter donned their structural firefighting personal protective 

equipment (PPE), including SCBA, and advanced an attack line into the garage area of the structure. 

Additional handlines were deployed, but the fire was not controlled. The IC made preparations for a 

switch to a defensive strategy.

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48

Firefighter LaBella and his partner had exchanged SCBA cylinders and re-entered the structure. 

A structural collapse of an awning trapped Firefighter LaBella and his partner in the rubble. An 

onscene Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) was deployed immediately, and removed both firefighters 

within 15 minutes of the collapse.

Firefighter LaBella was transported to the hospital by ambulance but succumbed to his injuries. The 

cause of death was listed as asphyxiation due to entrapment.

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

Investigation and Prevention Program report F2007-08 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/

face200708.html).

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February 4, 2007–1300 hrs

John W. Broom-Smith, Jr., Firefighter

Age 44–Volunteer

Sea Side Heights Volunteer Fire Department, New Jersey

Firefighter Broom-Smith and the members of his fire department responded to an automatic 

fire alarm late on the morning of February 4. Nothing was found, and the fire alarm was reset. 

Firefighters returned to the fire station at 1127 hours.

Upon returning to the fire station, Firefighter Broom-Smith and approximately five other firefighters 

removed the fire department’s Jet Ski® from a trailer and then unpacked and placed a new Jet Ski®

on the trailer. The old Jet Ski® weighed approximately 600 pounds, and the new one, a larger model, 

weighed approximately 700 pounds. Firefighters strained to carry the heavy watercraft and had to 

stretch to get the units on and off of the trailer.

At approximately 2300 hours on February 4, 2007, Firefighter Broom-Smith suffered a fatal heart 

attack.

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February 7, 2007–1830 hrs

Joseph Torkos, Fire Engineer Operator

Age 47–Career

Detroit Fire Department, Michigan

Fire Engineer Torkos and his engine company were responding to a report of a structure fire in a 

vacant residence. Fire Engineer Torkos was driving with the apparatus lights and siren operating. 

The engine was staffed by an officer, Fire Engineer Torkos, and two firefighters.

continued on next page
As the apparatus responded, it was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV that approached from the right 

side of the apparatus at high speed. The force of the collision deflected the path of the apparatus 

and it ended up off the opposite side of the roadway.

Fire Engineer Torkos and the Company Officer were ejected from the apparatus. Fire Engineer Torkos 

was ejected through the driver’s door or the windshield. He was run over by the apparatus, trapped 

under the vehicle’s rear wheels, and died at the scene. Firefighters were unable to remove Fire 

Engineer Torkos until a large tow truck arrived at the scene.

Law enforcement reports indicate that the SUV disregarded the flashing traffic control light at the 

intersection and the warning lights on the apparatus. The SUV was estimated to have been travelling 

approximately 80 miles per hour at the time of the impact. The engine’s speed was estimated at 15 

to 30 miles per hour.

The other three firefighters on the engine were injured. The driver of the SUV died in the crash, and 

three passengers in the SUV were injured. The cause of the structure fire was found to be arson.

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February 9, 2007–1200 hrs

Racheal Michelle Wilson, Firefighter–Paramedic Apprentice

Age 29–Career

Baltimore City Fire Department, Marylan

Firefighter Wilson and the members of her fire academy class were attending a live fire training 

exercise in a vacant rowhouse in Baltimore.

Firefighter Wilson was assigned to a group of apprentices and an instructor designated as Engine 

1. Her group advanced a dry attack line into the structure. As they climbed the stairs, the line was 

charged. Engine 1 encountered and extinguished fire on the second floor but did not check the 

rest of the second floor for fire prior to proceeding to the third floor. On the third floor, they again 

encountered and began to extinguish fire.

Fire conditions began to worsen with a marked increase in smoke and heat that appeared to be 

coming from the second floor. Engine 1 firefighters who were on the stairs began to receive burns 

from the fire conditions. The instructor for Engine 1 climbed out a window at the top of the stairs and 

helped one burned firefighter escape to the roof.

Firefighter Wilson appeared at the window in obvious distress and attempted to escape. The 

windowsill was unusually high (41 inches) and she was unable to escape. Firefighter Wilson 

momentarily moved away from the window, at which time she advised other firefighters to go down 

the stairs to escape. When she returned to the window, her SCBA facepiece was off and she was 

beginning to receive burns. She was able to get her upper body out of the window but she could not 

make it through. Firefighters on the exterior were unable to pull her through until firefighters were 

able to gain access on the interior and assist with the effort.

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50

When Firefighter Wilson was pulled to the roof, she was in full cardiac and respiratory arrest. She 

was immediately removed from the roof and received advanced life support care and transportation 

to the hospital. She was pronounced dead at 1250 hours.

Firefighter Wilson received total body surface burns of 50 percent. The cause of death was listed as 

thermal burns and asphyxiation.

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February 11, 2007–1639 hrs

Steven Eric Vanderpool, Jr., Firefighter

Age 28–Volunteer

White Oak Volunteer Fire Department, Kentuck

Firefighter Vanderpool was responding in his personal vehicle to a report of a vehicle crash. 

Firefighter Vanderpool was operating a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup.

Firefighter Vanderpool approached a T-intersection, failed to stop for a stop sign, and proceeded into 

the intersection. As his vehicle passed through the intersection, it was struck by a 1998 Chevrolet 

1500 pickup. The force of the collision spun Firefighter Vanderpool’s vehicle around. In the course 

of the spin, the driver’s door opened and Firefighter Vanderpool was ejected. Firefighter Vanderpool 

was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Firefighter Vanderpool received serious head injuries in the crash. He was taken by ground 

ambulance and then by helicopter to a regional trauma center, but he never regained consciousness 

and was pronounced dead on February 24, 2007.

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February 13, 2007–2100 hrs

Jeffrey M. Murray, Firefighter

Age 40–Volunteer

Sharon Township Fire Department, Ohio

Firefighter Murray responded to the fire station to operate the radio while other firefighters were 

attending an emergency medical services (EMS) response. The area was experiencing severe winter 

weather, with accumulation of approximately 10 inches of heavy snow.

Firefighter Murray stayed at the fire station after the incident was concluded to shovel snow from 

the sidewalks and other areas that could not be reached by a plow. At approximately 1719 hours, 

Firefighter Murray returned home, where he also shoveled snow.

Firefighter Murray complained of not feeling well. He went upstairs in his home and collapsed. 

Firefighters were called to the home at 2114 hours and found him in full arrest. Firefighter Murray 

was transported to the hospital, but did not survive the heart attack.
February 19, 2007–1740 hrs

Theodore J. Abriel, Sr., Acting Lieutenant

Age 44–Career

Albany Fire Department, New York

Acting Lieutenant Abriel was the Company Officer on the rescue squad for the shift beginning at 0800 

hours on February 19. The crew conducted standard activities around the station and participated 

in a cancer screening. The rescue squad responded to a structural fire in a residence at 1227 hours. 

Acting Lieutenant Abriel and his crew participated in the fire fight in a two-story structure.

At 1642 hours, the rescue squad responded to a fire in a residential highrise. Acting Lieutenant 

Abriel climbed to the sixth floor of the building and participated in firefighting duties for approximately 

30 minutes. While working, he suddenly collapsed.

Firefighters moved Acting Lieutenant Abriel to the stairwell and began CPR. Firefighter-paramedics 

attached a cardiac monitor. Acting Lieutenant Abriel was shocked and provided with other advanced 

life support services. While his pulse returned briefly, he was not revived.

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February 27, 2007–Time Unknown

Paul Tyler Reynolds, Sr., Firefighter–EMT

Age 41–Career

Estero Fire Rescue, Florid

Firefighter Reynolds had worked a 24-hour shift, during which he and his crew responded to three 

emergency incidents, performed hydrant maintenance and testing, and performed fire station and 

apparatus maintenance duties. Although the temperatures of the day were moderate, it was very 

humid.

Firefighter Reynolds completed his shift and went home. At approximately 1300 hours, Firefighter 

Reynolds collapsed. Firefighters were called to the scene and provided paramedic-level care at the 

scene and en route to the hospital. Despite aggressive treatment efforts by firefighters and hospital 

personnel, Firefighter Reynolds did not survive his heart attack.

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52

March 2, 2007–2030 hrs

Michael D. Sowich, Firefighter

Age 50–Volunteer

New Hartford Fire Department, New York

Firefighter Sowich was attending the New York State Weekend at the National Fire Academy (NFA) 

in Emmitsburg, Maryland. While he had been at New Hartford for only a short time, he had been a 

long-time member of the Sherrill-Kenwood Fire Department.

Firefighter Sowich was discovered deceased in his dorm room. The cause of his death is unknown. 

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March 13, 2007–1725 hrs

Eddy G. Ivers, Fire Chief

Age 59–Volunteer

Concord-Greene Township Volunteer Fire Department, Ohio

Chief Ivers and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a possible barn fire in their 

community. Chief Ivers drove a pumper. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they learned that 

the fire was a controlled burn. Chief Ivers explained the community’s open burning laws to the home 

owner, and firefighters cleared the scene to return to the station.

A firefighter driving behind the apparatus driven by Chief Ivers saw the vehicle slow and pull to the 

side of the road. The firefighter assumed that the apparatus had broken down and went to the cab of 

the apparatus to offer assistance. As the firefighter arrived, Chief Ivers was getting out of the cab of 

the truck and said that he was ill. The firefighter summoned EMS assistance, and several passers-by 

offered to help.

Chief Ivers was transported to the hospital by ambulance and later was flown by air ambulance to a 

regional care facility, where he died as the result of a heart attack.

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March 17, 2007–0045 hrs

Lucien Dale Breaux, Captain

Age 57–Career

Crowley Fire Department, Louisiana

Captain Breaux was on duty in his assigned fire station. He was asleep and was awakened by the 

dispatch of other firefighters to a vehicle extrication.

Captain Breaux was not feeling well and contacted dispatch to request an emergency medical 

response to his location. Firefighters and the local ambulance service were dispatched to the station 

and found Captain Breaux having difficulty breathing and complaining of chest pain.

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Paramedics evaluated Captain Breaux, and he was transported to the hospital. Captain Breaux went 

into cardiac arrest twice during his transport and was ultimately pronounced dead in the hospital 

emergency room at 0149 hours.

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March 23, 2007–0741 hrs

William F. Grant, Firefighter

Age 44–Career

Chicago Fire Department, Illinois

Firefighter Grant was a passenger in a ladder truck responding to a reported structure fire. Firefighter 

Grant was in the rear seat of the apparatus behind the driver. As the apparatus proceeded through 

a red light, it was struck from the right by a school bus. The point of impact was the right rear area 

of the ladder truck. After the impact, the apparatus spun in a clockwise direction and landed on the 

driver’s side. 

Firefighter Grant was partially ejected from the apparatus and pinned under the apparatus when it 

came to rest. Firefighter Grant was extricated by other firefighters and transported to the hospital. 

He was pronounced dead upon arrival. Firefighter Grant died as the result of multiple blunt force 

injuries.

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March 24, 2007–1159 hrs

Brandon Michael Whimple, Firefighter

Age 19–Volunteer

Rhodestown Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., North Carolina

Billy Harold Williams, Firefighter

Age 45–Volunteer

Rhodestown Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., North Carolina

Firefighter Williams and Firefighter Whimple were the driver and passenger, respectively, of a 

1,200-gallon water tanker (tender) responding to a reported structure fire. 

As the apparatus left a slight left-hand curve, Firefighter Williams braked and steered to the left. The 

apparatus crossed the center line of the roadway. Firefighter Williams overcorrected/oversteered, 

and the apparatus began to skid sideways. The apparatus left the right side of the roadway, then 

skidded back onto the roadway and overturned.

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54

Firefighter Whimple was trapped under the vehicle and had to be extricated with a heavy tow truck. 

Firefighter Williams was ejected in the course of the crash. Neither firefighter was wearing a seatbelt 

at the time of the crash.

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March 29, 2007–1723 hrs

Steve Olinik, Jr., Firefighter

Age 65–Volunteer

Rome Volunteer Fire Department, Ohi

Firefighter Olinik and the members of his fire department had responded earlier in the day to 

emergency incidents. At approximately 1723 hours, his department was dispatched on a mutual-aid 

wildland incident.

When Firefighter Olinik arrived at the fire station, the first apparatus already had departed for the 

incident scene. Other firefighters stood by at the fire station in case additional resources were 

needed. Firefighter Olinik walked into the fire station, greeted other firefighters, and then suddenly 

collapsed.

Firefighter initiated CPR, and an ambulance was summoned. Firefighter Olinik was transported to 

the hospital but was pronounced dead at 0530 hours the next day. The cause of death was a heart 

attack.

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April 3, 2007–1707 hrs

Edgar Hamlin Scott, Fire Police Captain

Age 75–Volunteer

Menands Fire Company #1, New York

At approximately 1650 hours, the Menands Fire Department, Menands Police Department, and the 

Town of Colonie EMS were dispatched to a vehicle crash on Interstate 787 Northbound south of Exit 

6.

Firefighters found a motorcycle crash and began to provide treatment. Three Menands Fire 

Department fire police officers, including Fire Police Captain Scott, responded to the scene in a fire 

police van. Fire Police Captain Scott was driving.

As the van was completing a U-turn, it was involved in a crash with a propane tanker. Fire Police 

Captain Scott was ejected from the vehicle and received fatal injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt 

at the time of the collision.
April 7, 2007–0106 hrs

Christopher Michael Jaros, Firefighter

Age 24–Volunteer

Ceredo Volunteer Fire-Rescue Department, West Virgini

Firefighter Jaros was responding to his fire station after his fire department was dispatched to a 

motor vehicle crash. Firefighter Jaros was the driver and only occupant of his personal vehicle, a 

2005 Ford F–150 pickup truck.

Firefighter Jaros apparently encountered “black ice” conditions and lost control of his vehicle. His 

vehicle crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming vehicle, a Mazda 626. Firefighter Jaros 

was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Firefighter Jaros was not wearing a seatbelt 

at the time of the crash.

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April 12, 2007–Time Unknown

Bryan Zollner, North Region Chief of Staff Operations

Age 44–Career

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Chief Zollner was killed in a single vehicle crash. His State-owned SUV left the roadway, went down 

an embankment, and struck a tree. Preliminary reports cited speed and icy roads as factors in the 

crash.

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April 16, 2007–0630 hrs

Kyle Robert Wilson, Firefighter–Technician I

Age 24–Career

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, Virgini

Technician Wilson was assigned to Tower 512, a ladder company. Tower 512 was dispatched to a 

reported house fire at 0603 hours. The Prince William County area was under a high wind advisory 

as a nor’easter moved through the area. Sustained winds of 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 48 

miles per hour were prevalent in the area at the time of the fire dispatch.

Initial arriving units reported heavy fire on the exterior of two sides of the single-family house, and 

crews suspected that the occupants were still inside the house sleeping because of the early morning 

hour. A search of the upstairs bedroom was conducted by Technician Wilson and his officer. A rapid 

and catastrophic change of fire and smoke conditions occurred in the interior of the house within 

minutes of Tower 512’s crew entering the structure. Technician Wilson became trapped and was 

unable to locate an immediate exit. “Mayday” radio transmissions of the life-threatening situation 

were made by crews and by Technician Wilson. Valiant and repeated rescue attempts to locate and 

remove Technician Wilson were made by the firefighting crews during extreme fire, heat, and smoke 

55
conditions. Firefighters were forced from the structure as the house began to collapse on them and 

intense fire, heat, and smoke conditions developed. Technician Wilson succumbed to the fire and the 

cause of death was reported by the medical examiner to be thermal and inhalation injuries.

An extensive report on this incident is available from the Prince William Department of Fire and 

Rescue at http://www.pwcgov.org/ Follow the links to the Fire & Rescue main page.

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

Investigation and Prevention Program report F2007-12 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/

face200712.html).

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April 25, 2007–1441 hrs

Billy Aaron Gafford, Jr., Captain–Paramedic

Age 56–Career

Birmingham Fire & Rescue Services, Alaba

Captain Gafford was participating in a work fitness evaluation with other firefighters. Captain Gafford 

chose the option that requires the firefighter to complete 12 laps of a college running track within 47 

minutes. A paramedic unit stood by at the track, and water was available to firefighters.

Captain Gafford collapsed during lap 7. Numerous firefighters rushed to his side to provide 

assistance. Captain Gafford was not breathing. Firefighters began using a bag valve mask, as a 

defibrillator was attached. Captain Gafford was shocked, and other advanced life support treatments 

were provided.

Captain Gafford was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Despite efforts by firefighters and 

hospital personnel, he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.

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April 28, 2007–0130 hrs

Joe Eddy Ivey, Captain

Age 51–Career

Nacogdoches Fire Department, Texas

Captain Ivy travelled to Houston to attend a highrise firefighting training seminar. He complained of 

not feeling well after dinner with other firefighters. At approximately 0130 hours, he collapsed due to 

a heart attack. Firefighters provided assistance and he was transported to the hospital, but he was 

pronounced dead at approximately 0200 hours.

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April 28, 2007–1700 hrs

Vernon Robert “Bob” McKenzie, Firefighter

Age 56–Volunteer

Gem County Fire Protection District #2, Idah

Firefighter McKenzie completed an annual physical fitness evaluation called a “pack test.” The test is 

required in order to work as a wildland firefighter in many jurisdictions. It requires a firefighter to walk 

a prescribed distance carrying a backpack of a prescribed weight within a limited time.

Firefighter McKenzie completed the test. When he arrived home, he complained of not feeling well. 

He was transported to a hospital, but died of a heart attack.

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May 3, 2007–1230 hrs

William D. Church, Sr., Fire Police Captain

Age 63–Volunteer

Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvania

Fire Police Captain Church was the driver of the second-due engine to a structure fire. Prior to 

arriving at the scene, his unit was cancelled and returned to quarters.

Upon arrival at quarters, Fire Police Captain Church backed his engine apparatus into the fire station. 

He was found by other firefighters slumped over the wheel, unresponsive.

Fire Police Captain Church was treated by other firefighters and transported to the hospital. His 

death was the result of a heart attack.

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May 6, 2007–1147 hrs

Bruce Joseph Zumwalt, Firefighter

Age 54–Volunteer

Sheldon District Fire Department, Illinois

Firefighter Zumwalt and the members of his fire department were operating at a shed fire that 

apparently had been caused by powerlines making contact with a structure due to high winds.

Firefighter Zumwalt was operating a handline between the burning shed and the garage to prevent 

fire spread into the garage. Firefighter Zumwalt operated the handline for 20 minutes or more, then 

collapsed without warning.

Firefighters came to his side immediately and dragged him away from the burning building. Firefighter 

Zumwalt was not breathing. CPR was started and an AED was attached. 

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The response time for an ambulance was going to be long, so firefighters transported Firefighter 

Zumwalt in a fire department vehicle. The ambulance met the firefighters during the response and 

a paramedic from the ambulance rode in the fire department vehicle to the hospital. Firefighter 

Zumwalt was not revived. His death was caused by a heart attack.

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May 7, 2007–1145 hrs

Peter Beebe-Lawson, Firefighter

Age 50–Volunteer

Springfield Fire Department, Maine

Firefighter Beebe-Lawson was responding as the driver and sole occupant of a fire department 

tanker (tender) to a fire in a sawmill. The tanker had a water capacity of 3,500 gallons.

As he emerged from a sharp curve, Firefighter Beebe-Lawson lost control of the tanker. The right 

wheels of the apparatus left the roadway and ran onto the shoulder. Firefighter Beebe-Lawson 

overcorrected or oversteered the apparatus back onto the roadway, and it veered off the left side of 

the roadway, crashed into some trees, and landed on the passenger side.

Firefighter Beebe-Lawson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was trapped in 

the wreckage, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The law enforcement report cited speed 

as contributing factor in the crash. Driver inexperience also was cited in press reports about the 

incident. The tanker was a converted heating oil tanker.

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May 8, 2007–1921 hrs

Ottis Earl Stephenson, Jr., Firefighter

Age 61–Volunteer

Angier & Black River Fire Department, North Caroli

Firefighter Stephenson responded to a kitchen fire on the evening of May 8, 2007. Firefighter 

Stephenson responded as a part of the crew on an equipment truck. The incident was handled by 

the first-arriving units, and the equipment truck was released by the IC to return to quarters. The 

incident was concluded at approximately 2010 hours.

The next day, May 9, Firefighter Stephenson reported for work at his regular job as a security guard 

for a local museum. After taking a walk around the facility, Firefighter Stephenson became ill and 

collapsed. He was transported to the hospital, but was pronounced dead at 1236 hours. His death 

was caused by a heart attack.

58
May 11, 2007–2313 hrs

Brandon Lee Daley, Firefighter

Age 19–Volunteer

Butler County Fire District #3-Rose Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Kan

Firefighter Daley and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a structure fire in their 

community. Firefighter Daley responded in his personal vehicle to the fire station. Upon his arrival 

at the fire station, he learned that there was no room for him to respond on the first piece of fire 

apparatus. Firefighter Daley was instructed to wait for the next piece of apparatus to respond.

Firefighter Daley departed the fire station in his personal vehicle, a 1990 full-size Chevrolet extendedcab pickup truck, and began his response to the fire scene. Firefighter Daley passed a car headed in 

the same direction but oversteered when he entered his travel lane. The right wheels of Firefighter 

Daley’s vehicle left the right side of the paved surface of the roadway. Firefighter Daley lost control 

of his vehicle, it slid sideways, and rolled two-and-a-half times. Firefighter Daley was ejected from the 

vehicle during the second roll.

Firefighter Daley was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He received fatal injuries, and 

was pronounced dead at the hospital just after midnight.

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May 11, 2007–1415 hrs

Jeffrey Jeans, Firefighter–EMT

Age 46–Volunteer

Eudora Fire Department, Mississippi

Firefighter Jeans participated in a large-diameter hose drill on the evening of May 10. He spent the 

night at the fire station. On the morning of May 11, Firefighter Jeans retrieved a fire truck from a 

repair shop and brought the truck back to the fire station.

Once at the fire station, Firefighter Jeans singlehandedly reloaded the large-diameter hose on the 

repaired apparatus. He also performed a number of other maintenance tasks around the fire station 

in preparation for training to be held that weekend.

At approximately 1415 hours, Firefighter Jeans went into the fire station and told other firefighters 

that he was not feeling well. He went into the kitchen area of the station and suddenly collapsed. 

Firefighters provided aid immediately, and Firefighter Jeans was transported to the hospital. Despite 

the efforts of firefighters and hospital personnel, Firefighter Jeans did not recover from his heart 

attack.

59
May 14, 2007–1004 hrs

Edward Levirgil Andrews IV, Fire Captain

Age 53–Career

Redding Fire Department, Californi

Captain Andrews reported for duty at approximately 0750 hours on May 14, 2007. Captain Andrews 

and his partner prepared for the day by completing station and apparatus maintenance duties.

Between 0830 hours and 0900 hours, Captain Andrews and another crew member drove to an area 

of their district that contained walking trails. The firefighters walked for some distance and then 

began to walk up a steep roadway. Captain Andrews complained of heartburn but dismissed it.

The other firefighter began to run as Captain Andrews continued to walk. After a short time apart, the 

firefighter saw Captain Andrews on his back in apparent distress. The firefighter called for assistance 

and found Captain Andrews unresponsive.

Other firefighters and EMS workers arrived and transported Captain Andrews to the hospital. Captain 

Andrews was pronounced dead by the emergency room physician.

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May 16, 2007–1828 hrs

Joseph E. Piazzi, Deputy Chief and Fire Police Captain

Age 76–Volunteer

Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, New York

Deputy Chief Piazzi had responded to several incidents of downed powerlines and trees due to 

storms throughout the afternoon of May 16, 2007. He then returned home and assisted a neighbor 

with cleanup. 

His fire department was dispatched to another call and he was preparing to respond when he 

began to experience chest pains. Deputy Chief Piazzi contacted 9-1-1 and the fire department was 

dispatched to his residence. Upon their arrival, he was found unresponsive. Care was initiated, and 

he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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May 19, 2007–1033 hrs

John Francis Keane, Captain

Age 37–Career

Waterbury Fire Department, Connecticut

Captain Keane was the Company Officer for Engine 8. At 1034 hours on May 22, 2007, Engine 8 

and several other fire department units were dispatched to a possible kitchen fire in an apartment. 

Engine 8 was operating an older reserve piece of fire apparatus, since their apparatus was in the 

60
shop. In addition, Engine 8 was responding from a location other than their fire station. The crew 

was attending a blood drive.

Engine 8 and Truck 1 entered an intersection at the same time from different directions. Truck 1 

struck the left front of Engine 8. The impact caused the engine to spin clockwise approximately 180 

degrees. Captain Keane and the driver of Engine 8 were ejected from the apparatus. The officer on 

Truck 1 was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. All eight firefighters from Engine 8 and 

Truck 1 were injured.

Captain Keane was transported to the hospital, where he remained until his death on May 22, 2007. 

The cause of death was listed as blunt head trauma.

A law enforcement investigation of the crash stated that Truck 1 had the green light, that a number 

of firefighters, including Captain Keane, were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and that 

some lines of sight at the crash scene were obstructed by trees.

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May 20, 2007–1445 hrs

Dennis Cheshire, Firefighter

Age 48–Volunteer

Red Oak Area Volunteer Fire Department, Alabam

Firefighter Cheshire was operating a military surplus tractor-trailer tanker (tender) responding 

to a structure fire. During the response, Firefighter Cheshire made a sharp left-hand turn into a 

T-intersection.

The apparatus made a turn that was too wide, ran off of the right shoulder of the road, and then 

rolled down an embankment. Firefighter Cheshire was pinned under the cab of the vehicle and was 

pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle was not equipped with seatbelts. The tanker’s speed at the time of the crash was 

estimated at 5 miles per hour.

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May 25, 2007–1530 hrs

Bradley William “Wally” Green, Firefighter

Age 53–Volunteer

Monroe Township/Cowan Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana

Firefighter Green and the members of his fire department worked for over 4 hours at the scene of a 

rolled over fertilizer tanker. Firefighter Green was on the scene for the entire incident and staffed a 

precautionary handline.

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Firefighter Green complained of being overheated. He removed his protective clothing and cooled off 

with water under a tree. When the incident was concluded, at approximately 1148 hours, Firefighter 

Green left the scene.

At approximately 1530 hours, Firefighter Green collapsed due to an apparent heart attack. A 

bystander performed CPR until emergency response personnel arrived, but Firefighter Green did not 

survive.

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May 28, 2007–0503 hrs

Felix Maurice Roberts, Firefighter II

Age 41–Career

Fulton County Fire Department, Georgi

Firefighter Roberts and other firefighters were dispatched to a residential structure fire. Upon their 

arrival, firefighters found a working fire with first-hand reports of a civilian trapped in the structure. 

Firefighter Roberts and another firefighter advanced a hoseline into the structure for search and 

rescue and fire control.

Fire conditions inside the structure changed rapidly, and most firefighters were forced to evacuate 

the structure. Firefighter Roberts and his partner were trapped in the structure until they were 

located and removed by other firefighters.

Firefighter Roberts was not breathing when he was removed from the structure. He was transported 

by ambulance to a medical facility, but was not revived. The cause of death was listed as 

asphyxiation. Firefighter Roberts’ carboxyhemoglobin level was 14 percent.

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May 28, 2007–1700 hrs

Henry Lawrence “Hank” Pitts, Jr., Lieutenant

Age 56–Career

Douglas County Fire/EMS, Georgi

Lieutenant Pitts worked a double shift from approximately 0800 hours on May 26 through 

approximately 0800 hours on May 28. During this period, he responded to at least seven emergency 

incidents, including fires and EMS incidents.

After going off duty, Lieutenant Pitts and his wife visited with friends at a cabin in North Georgia. At 

approximately 1700 hours on May 28, Lieutenant Pitts was found, unresponsive, near his friend’s 

cabin.

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Lieutenant Pitts was transported by medical helicopter to a regional medical facility. He underwent 

surgery but did not recover. Lieutenant Pitts died as the result of a heart attack on June 1, 2007.

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May 28, 2007–Time Unknown

David A. Middleton, Firefighter

Age 38–Career

Boston Fire Department, Massachusett

Firefighter Middleton was on duty with his engine company the night of May 27-28, 2007. During the 

shift, the crew had responded to several emergencies, including a working structure fire.

When his shift ended, Firefighter Middleton told other firefighters that he was not feeling well and 

skipped his normal workout. Firefighter Middleton went home and suffered a fatal heart attack 

shortly after arriving at his residence.

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June 4, 2007–1343 hrs

Mark Stevens Carter, Engineer–Paramedic

Age 53–Career

Phoenix Fire Department, Arizona

Engineer Carter was assigned to Engine 37. He reported for duty at approximately 0800 hours and 

performed apparatus and fire station maintenance duties. His crew met the crew of the ladder 

company from the same station at a local high school to participate in department-mandated 

physical fitness activities.

The crews played basketball all morning with three emergency responses mixed in, all EMS incidents. 

At approximately 1330 hours, Engineer Carter and his crew stopped at a restaurant for lunch. 

Engineer Carter placed his order, paid for the meal, and went outside. As he walked toward his 

apparatus, Engineer Carter suddenly collapsed.

Bystanders summoned firefighters from the restaurant, and paramedic-level treatment began 

immediately. Engineer Carter was transported to the hospital but was not revived. The cause of the 

death was listed as a heart attack.

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June 12, 2007–2000 hrs

David Allan Rufer, Firefighter

Age 42–Paid-on-Call

Monroe Fire Department, Wisconsin

Firefighter Rufer and other firefighters were engaged in a training exercise that involved the use of 

SCBA and fire hose. During the course of the exercise, Firefighter Rufer collapsed due to an apparent 

heart attack.

Firefighter Rufer was immediately treated by other firefighters and transported to the hospital, but he 

did not survive.

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June 18, 2007–1930 hrs

Theodore Michael Benke, Captain

Age 49–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

William H. “Billy” Hutchinson, Captain

Age 48–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Louis Mark Mulkey, Captain

Age 34–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Mark Wesley Kelsey, Acting Captain

Age 40–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Bradford Rodney “Brad” Baity, Engineer

Age 37–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Michael Jonathon Alan French, Assistant Engineer

Age 27–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Melvin Edward Champaign, Firefighter

Age 46–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

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James Allen “Earl” Drayton, Firefighter

Age 56–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

Brandon Kenyon Thompson, Firefighter

Age 27–Career

Charleston Fire Department, South Carolina

At 1909 hours, the Charleston Fire Department received a report of a fire at the Sofa Super Store, 

1807 Savannah Highway, in Charleston. Firefighters arriving on the scene found an exterior fire 

extending into the interior of the commercial structure. Firefighters at the rear of the structure 

extended hoselines and fought the exterior and interior fires at that location.

Other firefighters entered the front of the structure to search for building occupants and to fight the 

fire in the front retail area of the store; they were wearing full structural firefighting protective clothing 

and SCBA. While initial conditions inside the retail area of the store were tenable, conditions quickly 

worsened as the fire extended from the rear of the store into the retail area of the store.

Approximately 20 minutes after arrival on the scene, firefighters in distress could be heard on the 

radio requesting assistance. Smoke conditions in the interior of the store had worsened significantly, 

and firefighters were unable to find their way to a safe exit. The fire progressed rapidly and involved 

the interior of the store completely.

Nine firefighters were trapped in the structure and were unable to escape. Their bodies were 

recovered and removed from the structure later that night after the main body of fire was 

extinguished. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office took possession of the bodies. The cause of 

death for all nine firefighters was attributed to smoke inhalation and burns.

An extensive report on this incident is available from the City of Charleston at http://www.

charlestoncity.info/ Follow the links to the fire department main page.

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June 21, 2007–1654 hrs

Daniel F. Pujdak, Firefighter

Age 23–Career

Fire Department City of New York, New York

Firefighter Pujdak was a member of the crew of Ladder 146 based in Brooklyn. Firefighter Pujdak 

and his crew were dispatched, along with other firefighters, to a fire in a four-story building.

As Firefighter Pujdak stepped from his ladder truck’s aerial ladder to the roof of the structure, he 

slipped and fell to the ground. Firefighter Pujdak received fatal injuries.

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June 22, 2007–1525 hrs

Timothy Lavern Sanborn, Firefighter

Age 56–Volunteer

Clinton Area Fire and Rescue, Michiga

Firefighter Sanborn was operating the pump, supplying water to multiple attack lines on a residential 

structure fire. Approximately 30 minutes into the incident, as the fire was controlled, Firefighter 

Sanborn told other firefighters that he was not feeling well.

Firefighter Sanborn walked under his own power to an ambulance on the scene. EMS personnel 

treated Firefighter Sanborn for his heart attack symptoms. The ambulance departed for the hospital. 

While en route to the hospital, Firefighter Sanborn became unconscious. Despite treatment in the 

ambulance and in the hospital, Firefighter Sanborn was pronounced dead at 1620 hours.

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June 28, 2007–1020 hrs

Edward Charles Summers, Firefighter

Age 69–Volunteer

Patchogue Fire Department, New York

Firefighter Summers was participating in a work detail at the fire station when he collapsed of a heart 

attack. Firefighters provided emergency care immediately but Firefighter Summers could not be 

revived.

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June 30, 2007–0930 hrs

Samuel W. Downing, Captain

Age 45–Career

Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, Alabam

Captain Downing had worked a 24-hour shift ending at approximately 0730 hours on June 30, 2007. 

During the shift, Captain Downing and his crew had responded to multiple emergency incidents, 

including a vehicle crash that occurred just before shift change.

Captain Downing departed his fire station and went home. Shortly after arriving home, Captain 

Downing experienced a fatal heart attack. He was pronounced dead at approximately 0930 hours.

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July 2, 2007–0400 hrs

Michael B. Douthitt, Driver–Engineer

Age 48–Career

Broward County Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire/Rescue, Florida

Driver-Engineer Douthitt and other firefighters operated at the scene of a residential structure fire at 

approximately 0400 hours on July 2, 2007. 

Driver-Engineer Douthitt participated in overhaul activities in the residence. Upon returning to the 

fire station after the response, Driver-Engineer Douthitt felt ill. He rested at home for 2 days and the 

symptoms went away; he returned to work on July 4, 2007. 

After going home on July 5, 2007, Driver-Engineer Douthitt was hospitalized for a cardiac event. He 

underwent a heart catheterization and was released from the hospital.

He completed paperwork to document his illness on July 8, 2007. On July 13, 2007, while at home, 

Driver-Engineer Douthitt went into cardiac arrest. He later died at a local hospital.

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July 2, 2007–1630 hrs

Ronald Yale Wiley, Deputy Fire Marshal

Age 47–Career

Richmond Fire Department, Californi

Deputy Fire Marshal Wiley was returning in his city vehicle to his office from a meeting. As he drove 

over the Carquinez Bridge, he was involved in a single vehicle crash and fire. Deputy Fire Marshal 

Wiley died in the crash.

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July 2, 2007–1640 hrs

Dennise Marie Leslie, Firefighter

Age 40–Volunteer

Coal City Community Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana

Firefighter Leslie was responding to the fire station in her personal vehicle, a 2000 Ford Ranger 

pickup truck, after her fire department was dispatched to a wildland fire. 

As Firefighter Leslie crested a hill, she saw another vehicle waiting to make a left-hand turn in front 

of her. She moved her vehicle from the center of the road into her lane, but oversteered. The right 

wheels of her vehicle left the paved roadway. Firefighter Leslie steered to the left in an attempt to 

bring her vehicle back onto the road. The pickup began to spin, travelled across the roadway, and 

collided with an earthen embankment. This caused the vehicle to go airborne and begin to roll 

over. The cab of the truck collided with a large tree, causing extensive damage to the passenger 

compartment.

When EMS responders arrived on the scene, Firefighter Leslie was determined to have died in the 

crash. The cause of death was listed as head trauma. The pickup’s airbag had deployed; Firefighter 

Leslie was not wearing a seatbelt.

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July 5, 2007–0014 hrs

Eric Robert Lyons, Firefighter

Age 37–Career

Kennewick Fire Department, Washington

Firefighter Lyons responded to a wildland fire during the evening hours of July 4. He and the rest of 

his crew returned to their fire station after the conclusion of the incident.

Shortly after midnight on July 5, 2007, Firefighter Lyons’ coworkers heard him making snoring-type 

sounds in the bunkroom. Firefighters checked on Firefighter Lyons’ welfare and found that he was 

experiencing a medical emergency.

Firefighters provided medical assistance, and Firefighter Lyons was transported to the hospital but 

later died. The cause of death was cardiac-related.

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July 5, 2007–1000 hrs

Michael James Penovich, Fire Chief

Age 38–Career

Saratoga Springs Fire Department, Utah

Chief Penovich was returning to his community after going to Heber City to look at a water tank that 

his department was considering for purchase. Chief Penovich was driving his department-issued 

F-150 Ford pickup truck.

For unknown reasons, Chief Penovich’s vehicle veered off of the roadway, over an embankment, 

and into the Deer Creek Reservoir. Witnesses stated that the vehicle did not slow down as it left the 

roadway. The vehicle submerged immediately. Bystanders on the roadway and in boats attempted to 

provide aid but could not reach the vehicle.

The Wasatch County Search and Rescue divers entered the water at 1048 hours and surfaced at 

1055 hours. They reported that they had located Chief Penovich in his vehicle. They found his 

seatbelt across his chest but not latched. Chief Penovich was halfway out of the passenger side 

window. An autopsy showed that he had drowned.

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July 6, 2007–0050 hrs

James J. McRae III, Firefighter–Technician

Age 34–Career

District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services

Firefighter McRae was on duty as the driver of Truck 12, having reported for duty at 0700 hours on 

July 6, 2007. During the course of the shift, Firefighter McRae and the members of his fire company 

performed fire station and apparatus maintenance duties, conducted a fire inspection, attended a 

meeting, and responded to three emergency incidents.

At 0050 hours on July 7, 2007, Firefighter McRae awakened another paramedic firefighter and 

asked the firefighter to medically assess him. Firefighter McRae was not feeling well, he was having 

difficulty breathing, and he was coughing. Three minutes later, an ambulance was requested.

Firefighters provided paramedic-level emergency medical care to Firefighter McRae, and he was 

transported to a hospital by ambulance. At approximately 0315 hours, Firefighter McRae was 

transferred by medical helicopter to another hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 0415 hours. 

The cause of death was a heart attack.

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

Investigation and Prevention Program report F2007-23 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/

face200723.html).

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July 15, 2007–1300 hrs

Stephen R. Dembski, Firefighter

Age 41–Volunteer

Fire Department Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

Firefighter Dembski was at home at 0658 hours when his fire department was paged to respond to a 

mutual-aid residential structure fire. Firefighter Dembski responded to the fire station in his personal 

vehicle, and then to the fire scene aboard his fire department’s ladder apparatus.

Upon arrival at the scene, Firefighter Dembski performed forcible entry and search and rescue duties 

on the second floor of the structure. When the incident was concluded, Firefighter Dembski and 

other firefighters restored their equipment and apparatus to service. Firefighter Dembski left the fire 

station at approximately 1110 hours.

Firefighter Dembski attended a child’s birthday party that afternoon. At approximately 1500 hours, 

Firefighter Dembski collapsed due to an apparent heart attack. Firefighters at the party provided 

medical assistance, and an ambulance and paramedics were summoned. Firefighter Dembski was 

transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead at 1548 hours. The cause of death was listed 

as a ruptured aorta.

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July 21, 2007–0200 hrs

Matthew Charles Burton, Captain

Age 34–Career

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, California

Scott Peter Desmond, Fire Engineer

Age 37–Career

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, California

Captain Burton, Engineer Desmond, and another engineer were the crew of Engine 70. At 0143 

hours, Engine 70 was dispatched to a residential fire alarm. As additional information was received, 

the incident was upgraded to a structural fire response with the addition of two engines, a quint, and 

a command officer.

Engine 70 arrived on the scene at 0150 hours and reported heavy fire and smoke from a small 

single-family residence. Firefighters reported that they had confirmed reports that two occupants of 

the home were still inside.

Captain Burton and Engineer Desmond advanced an attack line into the structure and flowed water 

on the fire. They reported that the fire had been knocked down and requested ventilation at 0155 

hours. Captain Burton and Engineer Desmond exited the structure temporarily to retrieve a TIC, then 

re-entered the structure and went to the left toward the bedrooms with an attack line, while another 

crew went to the right without an attack line.

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The engineer for Engine 70 placed a PPV fan at the front door. One of the civilian fire victims was 

located by the crew that had gone to the right; her removal was difficult and firefighters had to exit the 

building to ask for help. During this time, the fire inside the house advanced rapidly.

Firefighters had difficulty venting the roof due to multiple roofs, built-up roofing materials, and the 

type of construction.

A command officer arrived on the scene at approximately 0202 hours and began to look for Captain 

Burton to assume Command. The command officer tried to contact the Engine 70 crew by radio 

but was unsuccessful. A second alarm was requested, and a report of a missing firefighter was 

transmitted at approximately 0205 hours.

The fire had advanced within the structure and had to be controlled before firefighters could search 

for the missing crew. Captain Burton and Engineer Desmond were located and removed from the 

structure between 0212 and 0226 hours. The firefighters were found in a bedroom. 

It has been suggested that the deceased firefighters left the handline that they advanced into the 

structure to conduct a search. When fire conditions changed rapidly, they were trapped in the 

bedroom. The cause of death for both firefighters was listed as thermal burns and smoke inhalation. 

The post mortem carboxyhemoglobin level for Captain Burton was 23.5 percent, and the level 

for Engineer Desmond was 19 percent. The cause of the fire was careless disposal of smoking 

materials.

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July 23, 2007–0429 hrs

Cornelius Myron “Storm” Nolton, Firefighter

Age 37–Career

Newark Fire Department, New Jersey

Firefighter Nolton was fighting a structural fire on July 23, 2007, when he began to complain of 

back and neck pain. He was transported from the fireground to the hospital. He was evaluated and 

released from the hospital by 1400 hours.

The pain continued and Firefighter Nolton went to a different hospital at approximately 1730 hours. 

He remained in the hospital until his death on July 25, 2007. His death was caused by a heart 

attack.

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July 23, 2007–1015 hrs

Dennis Luster Davis, Pilot

Age 61–Wildland Contract

Idaho Helicopters under contract to USDA Forest Service, Klamath National Forest, Californi

Pilot Davis was dropping a package of drinking water for firefighting crews engaged in the Elk 

Complex of wildland fires. The water was suspended from the underside of the helicopter by a 

150-foot line.

Firefighters on the ground watched as the package of water was set down on the ground. The 

helicopter drifted to the right and the rotor contacted a tree. The helicopter crashed, and a postcrash 

fire consumed most of the aircraft. Pilot Davis was killed in the crash.

For additional information about this crash, consult the National Transportation Safety Board Web 

site at http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp - NTSB identification LAX07TA227.

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July 24, 2007–2107 hrs

Jon Charles Trainer, Firefighter

Age 38–Volunteer

Mechanicsburg Fire Department, Ohio

Firefighter Trainer and other firefighters were cleaning and restoring fire apparatus to service after 

fighting a residential structure fire. Firefighter Trainer was on top of an engine apparatus assisting 

with hose loading. He slipped and fell from the top of the apparatus and sustained a severe head 

injury.

Firefighter Trainer was transported to the hospital by ambulance but died on July 25, 2007.

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July 27, 2007–0415 hrs

James Glenn “Shib” Miller, Firefighter

Age 43–Volunteer

Sesser Fire Protection District, Illinois

The Sesser Fire Department responded to a fire involving a tractor-trailer truck on a local Interstate. 

Three fire trucks were parked on scene on the right shoulder and in the first traffic lane to the left 

of the shoulder. Safety cones were in place on the roadway, and the emergency lights on the fire 

apparatus were activated.

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The response of a State law enforcement officer was delayed. The fire department IC declined offers 

of assistance from local law enforcement for traffic control, citing the lack of traffic on the highway.

Firefighter Miller was replacing some equipment that had been used at the incident scene into a 

driver’s side compartment on one of the fire trucks. At approximately 0415 hours, Firefighter Miller 

was struck by a passing bus. He was thrown over 200 feet to the side of the road. He suffered fatal 

injuries.

Firefighters on the scene provided emergency medical treatment to no avail. The driver of the bus 

was charged with reckless homicide and was ordered to stand trial.

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July 27, 2007–1251 hrs

Nemeth Fitzhugh Sanders, Forest Fire Equipment Operator

Age 43–Wildland Full-Time

North Carolina Division of Forest Resource

Forest Fire Equipment Operator Sanders was returning home after completing training. He was 

driving a State-owned vehicle on Interstate 40 near Morrisville. 

A traffic collision in the opposing direction of travel caused a tractor-trailer truck to cross through 

the median into Forest Fire Equipment Operator Sanders’ lane. His vehicle struck and went partially 

underneath the trailer. The trailer, his vehicle, and another car that struck the trailer burst into 

flames. 

Forest Fire Equipment Operator Sanders died of traumatic injuries.

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August 3, 2007–0138 hrs

Kevin Glenn Williams, Captain

Age 42–Volunteer

Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, Texas

Austin Hague Cheek, Firefighter

Age 19–Volunteer

Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, Texas

Captain Williams and Firefighter Cheek responded to a mutual-aid structure fire in a residence. When 

they arrived on the scene, the firefighters donned full protective clothing and entered the structure 

with a handline. 

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The fire appeared to be under control, and theirs was the third line to enter the structure. Captain 

Williams communicated with the IC by radio, asking about the status of electrical service to the 

building. After not hearing from Captain Williams or Firefighter Cheek for approximately 15 minutes, 

a RIC was sent in to find the two firefighters.

Both firefighters were removed from the building. Both firefighters died of burns. The details of the 

incident are unknown, but factors that may have played a part in the incident were a PPV fan placed 

at the door and renovations to the house that created a double roof.

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August 8, 2007–0800 hrs

Gerald David “Jerry” Donley, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief

Age 45–Career

Swepsonville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., North Carolina

Deputy Chief Donley responded with other members of his fire department to a mutual-aid structure 

fire on August 6, 2007. The incident was dispatched at 1633 hours and firefighters were back in 

quarters at 2149 hours. Deputy Chief Donley remained at the fire station until 0005 hours on August 

8, 2007.

Deputy Chief Donley arrived at the fire department at approximately 0800 hours the morning of 

August 8 to work his scheduled 24-hour shift. He spent the day cleaning up equipment from the fire 

call that had occurred the previous day and responding to at least two EMS incidents. Later during 

his shift, Deputy Chief Donley went to bed at the station.

The next morning, firefighters found that Deputy Chief Donley had died during the night. The cause 

of death was a heart attack.

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August 10, 2007–0149 hrs

Paul Darrin Baker, Lieutenant

Age 39–Volunteer

Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Arkansas

A vehicle crash occurred on a local Interstate highway. One of the vehicles involved in the crash 

ended up parked on the shoulder of the Saline River Bridge. Firefighters were dispatched to the 

incident to control a gasoline leak.

Lieutenant Baker and other firefighters arrived on the scene and controlled the gasoline leak. 

Absorbent material was poured on the leaked fuel.

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Lieutenant Baker mounted the hood of the vehicle and attempted to reach in through the driver’s 

window to shut of the ignition. Lieutenant Baker slipped and fell approximately 40 feet off of the 

bridge to the ground. Lieutenant Baker was pronounced dead at the scene.

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August 11, 2007–1626 hrs

Todd Whitney Hage, Firefighter

Age 42–Volunteer

Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina

Firefighter Hage was the driver and sole occupant of a commercial chassis pumper that was 

responding to an automatic fire alarm at a school.

As Firefighter Hage responded, he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The pumper went off the 

roadway, then rolled and slid into a tree. The vehicle sustained major damage, and Firefighter Hage 

was killed in the crash.

The cause of death was listed as blunt head and chest trauma. Firefighter Hage was wearing his 

seatbelt at the time of the crash.

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August 13, 2007–1820 hrs

Anthony Philip Cox, Captain

Age 44–Career

Topeka Fire Department, Kansa

Captain Cox and other firefighters were working on the scene of a two-story apartment building fire. 

Captain Cox collapsed after leaving the building to rehab. His death was caused by a heart attack.

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August 14, 2007–1000 hrs

Glenn Williams Miller, Probationary Firefighter

Age 34–Volunteer

Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina

Firefighter Miller was participating in firefighter training through a local community college. Firefighter 

Miller became ill during training and was transported to the hospital.

While in the hospital, Firefighter Miller underwent surgery for a heart illness but did not recover from 

the procedure. Firefighter Miller died on August 17, 2007.

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August 14, 2007–2333 hrs

Michael Paul Stephen Heuer, Fire Chief

Age 55–Volunteer

Sierra City Fire Department, California

Chief Heuer and the members of his fire department were engaged in a protracted rescue incident. 

A fisherman had fractured his ankle in a creek area that was very difficult to access. The fisherman 

had to be carried by hand over very rough and steep terrain. The incident began at 2025 hours and 

the fisherman was removed to a waiting ambulance at 2312 hours.

As he helped to gather equipment used in the rescue operation, Chief Heuer became ill and sat 

down. Other firefighters came to his aid and assessed his condition. CPR was begun immediately 

and a call for a firefighter down was transmitted at 2334 hours.

Firefighters carried Chief Heuer to the roadway and to a helicopter landing zone by ambulance. 

Numerous shocks were given by an AED. When the medical helicopter arrived, at approximately 

0020 hours, Chief Heuer’s condition was once again assessed. Due to the length of time he had 

been ill and the lack of response to treatment, he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was 

listed as a heart attack.

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August 18, 2007–1500 hrs

Robert C. Beddia, Firefighter

Age 53–Career

Fire Department City of New York

Joseph Graffagnino, Firefighter

Age 32–Career

Fire Department City of New York

Firefighter Beddia and Firefighter Graffagnino were assigned to the Engine 24/Ladder 5 fire station in 

the SoHo section of Manhattan. Both firefighters were assigned to Engine 24.

Firefighters were dispatched to a highrise office building at the former site of the World Trade 

Center. The building had been damaged on September 11, 2001, and was in the process of being 

demolished. The exterior of the building was covered with netting, and the interior was a maze of 

temporary containment walls and partially demolished structure. Among a number of challenges for 

firefighters, the building’s standpipe system was partially dismantled and did not function properly.

A number of firefighters became disoriented in the building. Firefighter Beddia and Firefighter 

Graffagnino were located by other firefighters, removed from the building, and transported to 

hospitals. The preliminary cause of death for both firefighters was asphyxiation.

The Fire Department City of New York continues to investigate the incident and the conditions that 

led to the death of the two firefighters.

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August 19, 2007–1900 hrs

Jeffrey Dale Swartz, Firefighter

Age 36–Volunteer

Wagener Fire Department, South Carolina

Firefighter Swartz was responding to a medical emergency in his personal vehicle. He lost control of 

his vehicle, and it left the roadway. The vehicle rolled and burst into flames when it came to rest.

Firefighter Swartz died from asphyxiation and thermal injuries. He was wearing his seatbelt at the 

time of the crash.

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August 24, 2007–1330 hrs

M.L. Hopper, Forestry Aide 2

Age 74–Wildland Full-Time

Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry

Forestry Aide Hopper was flagging a proposed fire control line in the Natchez Trace State Forest near 

Lexington. As he worked, Forestry Aide Hopper suffered a fatal heart attack.

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August 29, 2007–2114 hrs

Paul J. Cahill, Firefighter

Age 55–Career

Boston Fire Department, Massachusett

Warren J. Payne, Firefighter

Age 53–Career

Boston Fire Department, Massachusett

Box 281 was transmitted at 2106 hours for a building fire at an Asian restaurant in the West Roxbury 

section of Boston. Engine Company 30 and Ladder Company 25 responded to the alarm from 

quarters and arrived at the fire location at 2108 hours. Ladder Company 25, the first company to 

arrive, reported fire showing from the roof. 

Initially, the interior of the restaurant was clear. Firefighters discovered fire in the void space above 

the kitchen area and began to apply water to the fire from a handline. Fire conditions changed 

rapidly. The Boston Fire Department Board of Inquiry report stated:

The Board of Inquiry believes oxygen entrained within the fire stream together with the infusion of 

oxygen from the air below the ceiling admitted a fresh supply of oxygen into the ceiling area directly 

above the kitchen’s hood/exhaust duct and into the ceiling void space created by the dislodged 

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ceiling tiles. This event in turn, caused the unburned flammable gas generated by the undetected 

extended burning fire at that location to ignite.

Firefighter Cahill was unable to exit the kitchen area and died of asphyxiation. Firefighter Payne died 

of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Firefighter Payne was found in the seating area of the 

restaurant.

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September 8, 2007–0914 hrs

George H. Crotts, Jr., Engineer

Age 70–Volunteer

Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company, Pennsylvania

Engineer Crotts sustained a serious head injury when he fell from the top of an antique fire engine 

that was being loaded on a trailer for transport to a parade. Engineer Crotts was transported to the 

hospital but died of his injuries on September 9, 2007.

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September 9, 2007–1150 hrs

Jared W. Zimmerly, Firefighter

Age 20–Volunteer

Prairie Township Fire Department, Ohio

Firefighter Zimmerly was responding to a mutual-aid structure fire in his personal vehicle, a 2006 

Pontiac GTO.

Firefighter Zimmerly lost control of his vehicle in a slight left-hand curve in the road. His vehicle left 

the left side of the roadway, crashed through a sign and several trees, and came to rest on its roof. 

Firefighter Zimmerly was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was ejected from the 

vehicle and ended up underneath the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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September 10, 2007–1930 hrs

Michael Dean Stanfield, Captain

Age 30–Volunteer

Anderson Township Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina

Captain Stanfield responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash in his personal vehicle. There was 

no crash scene located, so firefighters were released from the incident scene to return to quarters.

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Captain Stanfield and another firefighter exchanged personal vehicles at the scene and planned 

to drive to the fire station in each other’s vehicles. Captain Stanfield was operating a 2004 Honda 

motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet.

Captain Stanfield was involved in a single vehicle crash while driving to the fire station. The 

motorcycle left the left side of the road and struck a ditch. The motorcycle overturned, and Captain 

Stanfield was fatally injured.

Firefighters responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment. Despite aggressive 

treatment and rapid transport to the hospital, Captain Stanfield did not survive.

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September 12, 2007–0115 hrs

Leonard R. Bailey, Jr., Fire Chief

Age 56–Volunteer

Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvania

Chief Bailey was at home when he was notified that a building near his home was on fire. The 

building was a bar that had previously been owned by Chief Bailey’s father.

Chief Bailey left his home to investigate the report and found that there was smoke showing from 

the structure. Chief Bailey ran back to his residence, reported the fire and his findings to the fire 

department, and then suffered a heart attack.

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September 14, 2007–0420 hrs

Jerry Wayne Stucker, Firefighter–EMT

Age 53–Industrial

Dow Corning Fire Department-Loss Prevention Department, Indiana

Firefighter Stucker responded to a hazardous materials emergency. He was attaching a hoseline to a 

fire hydrant when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

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September 14, 2007–2015 hrs

Kelly L. Page, Firefighter

Age 38–Career

City of Lowell Fire Department, Massachusetts

Firefighter Page had worked a number of calls during the day including downed powerlines, medical 

emergencies, false alarms, and a basement fire in a vacant residential structure. In the evening 

after the last of the calls, Firefighter Page complained to other firefighters about not feeling well. 

A short time later Firefighter Page was found unconscious on the floor of the station. Firefighters 

attempted to resuscitate him; he was transported to Saints Medical Center where he was 

pronounced dead due to a heart attack.

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September 15, 2007–1558 hrs

William D. “Billy” McDaniels, Sr., Fire Police Captain

Age 51–Volunteer

Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company Number 1, Pennsylvania

Fire Police Captain McDaniels responded with other members of his fire department to an alarm in 

a local highrise. When Fire Police Captain McDaniels arrived on the scene, he told other firefighters 

that he was not feeling well. He was immediately treated and transported to the hospital. He was 

pronounced dead due to a heart attack at 1737 hours.

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September 24, 2007–1414 hrs

Bryon Wayne Johnson, Lieutenant

Age 32–Career

Sedgwick County Fire District #1, Kansas

The fire department communications center received several calls reporting a brush fire that may 

have been caused by downed powerlines. Squad 34, under the command of Lieutenant Johnson, 

responded to the call but did not acknowledge the message about powerlines.

When the unit arrived on the scene, powerlines were visible in the street. Firefighters advanced a 

handline and began to control the fire. In order to access a portion of the fire, the apparatus had to 

be backed up. Lieutenant Johnson advanced the hoseline, and his engineer drove the apparatus. 

The two firefighters communicated by hand signal.

Lieutenant Johnson was hitting hot spots with the handline. His engineer viewed him in the rearview 

mirror. The engineer saw Lieutenant Johnson stiffen and fall. The engineer stopped the apparatus, 

got out, and found Lieutenant Johnson on his back.

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The engineer recognized the presence of an energized powerline. With some difficulty, the engineer 

pulled Lieutenant Johnson away from the hazard. The engineer called to another firefighter who had 

just arrived on the scene for help. The firefighter reported the incident, ordered the dispatch of an 

ambulance, and requested a command officer and additional firefighters.

Lieutenant Johnson was transported to the hospital but did not survive. The cause of death was 

listed as electrocution. The fallen powerline that caused the grass fire was the result of a pole being 

struck by a truck making a U-turn.

e

September 25, 2007–2000 hrs

John E. “Dawg” Lietzke, Firefighter

Age 47–Volunteer

Olivet Fire Department, Michigan

Firefighter Lietzke was responding in his personal vehicle to an emergency. He struck a large tree 

that had fallen in the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighter Lietzke was wearing 

his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

e

September 26, 2007–2306 hrs

Mike D. Reagan, Jr., Firefighter

Age 19–Volunteer

Sharon Hill Fire Company, Pennsylvania

Firefighter Reagan and other firefighters were operating at a fire in a detached garage. The fire 

started when a home owner accidentally spilled gasoline while performing repairs on a motorcycle. 

The fire had been knocked down and firefighters were overhauling and putting out hot spots.

A sudden structural collapsed occurred and trapped Firefighter Reagan. At least two other firefighters 

were trapped by the collapse. Other firefighters freed the trapped firefighters, and Firefighter Reagan 

was transported to the hospital for treatment. Firefighter Reagan did not recover from his injuries; he 

died on September 29.

81
October 4, 2007–1956 hrs

Adam Edward Cole, Firefighter

Age 24–Volunteer

Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvani

Firefighter Cole was responding to the fire station after his fire department was dispatched to a 

wildland fire caused by arson. Firefighter Cole was driving his personal vehicle, a 2005 Subaru 

Impreza.

During his response, Firefighter Cole rounded a right-hand curve. He lost control of his vehicle and 

struck a car travelling in the opposite direction. The impact spun Firefighter Cole’s vehicle counterclockwise; his vehicle left the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Firefighter Cole was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was trapped between the 

passenger seat and the dash of his vehicle. Local emergency responders arrived and transported 

Firefighter Cole to the hospital, where he later died.

Excessive speed was cited in the law enforcement report on the crash as a contributing factor.

e

October 9, 2007–0855 hrs

Matthew Richard Will, Heavy Equipment Operator

Age 30–Wildland Full-Time

CAL-Fire, Californi

Heavy Equipment Operator Will was driving a heavy bulldozer as he and other firefighters fought 

the Colorado Fire near Monterey. During operations, the bulldozer rolled over and crushed Heavy 

Equipment Operator Will. He was airlifted to a regional hospital but did not survive his injuries.

e

October 25, 2007–0053 hrs

Robert Wayne Phillips, Firefighter

Age 64–Volunteer

Athelstane Volunteer Fire Department, Wisconsin

Firefighter Phillips and the members of his fire department responded to a chimney fire. Firefighter 

Phillips was operating the pump on one of the engine apparatus. 

Firefighter Phillips collapsed due to an apparent heart attack. Other firefighters and EMS personnel 

came to his aid, and he was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced dead at 0053 hours on 

October 26, 2007.

82

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October 27, 2007–1225 hrs

Ralph M. Cross, Assistant Fire Chief

Age 73–Volunteer

Charlevoix Township Fire Department, Michigan

Assistant Chief Cross was in the process of setting up a fire prevention information display at a local 

“big box” retail store. Assistant Chief Cross went out to the fire department vehicle that he was 

driving to retrieve boxes of handout material. When he returned to the store with a shopping cart full 

of materials, he suddenly collapsed.

Another firefighter who was participating in the event cared for Assistant Chief Cross until an 

ambulance arrived. Assistant Chief Cross was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital. 

He did not survive the effects of the heart attack.

e

October 29, 2007–1718 hrs

Scott A. Mumm, Lieutenant

Age 34–Paid-on-Call

Mendota Fire Department, Illinois

Lieutenant Mumm and the members of his fire department were dispatched to a fire in a coal hopper 

car at 1718 hours. The incident concluded at 2010 hours. Lieutenant Mumm was charged with 

filling tankers (tenders) at a fire hydrant during the firefighting effort. 

At the conclusion of the incident, Lieutenant Mumm went home to rest and report to his full-time job 

at 0000 hours on October 30, 2007. At 2149 hours, firefighters were called to Lieutenant Mumm’s 

residence for a medical emergency. Lieutenant Mumm was found not breathing and in cardiac 

arrest. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2245 hours. The cause of death was a heart 

attack.

e

November 5, 2007–0050 hrs

Jeremy W. Wach, Firefighter

Age 31–Volunteer

Wymore Fire & Rescue Department, Nebrask

Firefighter Wach responded along with other firefighters to a report of a fire in a residence. Firefighter 

Wach and two other firefighters advanced a handline into the structure to attack the fire. Shortly 

after they entered, the roof and ceiling collapsed and trapped Firefighter Wach in the debris.

83
The other two firefighters were able to withdraw from the structure, and firefighters quickly located 

Firefighter Wach. Due to his position and physical size, firefighters were unable to move Firefighter 

Wach. As fire conditions worsened, firefighters were ordered to abandon the building.

Firefighter Wach’s death was confirmed at approximately 0200 hours, and his body was recovered 

from the building at approximately 0700 hours. His death was caused by traumatic positional 

asphyxiation.

The occupant of the residence had reported an electrical problem to the landlord two days before the 

fire. The fire likely had been burning in the attic for some time prior to the arrival of firefighters.

e

November 12, 2007–1610 hrs

Carl Stanley Engdahl, Fire Chief

Age 78–Volunteer

McPherson County Rural Fire Department #2, Kans

Chief Engdahl and the members of his fire department responded to a kitchen fire at approximately 

1549 hours. The incident was controlled, and the kitchen stove was removed from the structure.

As firefighters completed their duties on the scene, Chief Engdahl collapsed. Firefighters provided 

emergency medical care, and an ambulance was dispatched. Chief Engdahl was transported to the 

hospital where he later died as the result of a heart attack.

e

November 13, 2007–2241 hrs

Ronny Allen Bennett, Fire Chief

Age 39–Volunteer

Orcutt Fire Protection District, California

Chief Bennett and the members of his fire department were paged to respond to an emergency 

incident, but Chief Bennett did not arrive at the incident scene. Firefighters attempted to contact him 

numerous times without success.

The following day, he was found deceased at his residence. Firefighters found him with his radio and 

keys. He had apparently become ill and died as he began his response. The cause of death was 

listed as a heart attack.

84

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November 21, 2007–1122 hrs

Michael J. Tluscik, Sr., Senior Firefighter

Age 48–Career

Kansas City Fire Department, Kans

Firefighter Tluscik reported for duty and was assigned as the driver of Pumper 9. He completed 

his morning apparatus checks and station maintenance prior to 0800 hours. During the morning, 

Pumper 9 responded to a carbon monoxide alarm and a structure fire. During the response to the 

structure fire, Pumper 9 lost traction momentarily, and Firefighter Tluscik was able to gain control. He 

commented that this occurrence had shaken him. The pumper was cancelled prior to their arrival at 

the scene of the structure fire.

Firefighters returned to the fire station to eat their morning meal. Firefighter Tluscik sat on the couch 

and talked with other firefighters. Other firefighters noticed that Firefighter Tluscik was making 

snoring noises and that he was unresponsive.

Firefighters lowered Firefighter Tluscik to the floor and assessed him. CPR was initiated immediately, 

and paramedic-level EMS procedures were provided. Firefighter Tluscik was defibrillated at least 

three times prior to transport by ambulance to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at 1200 

hours.

Firefighter Tluscik died of a cardiac condition known as mitral valve redundancy.

e

November 27, 2007–1057 hrs

John Jacob “JJ” Curry, Firefighter

Age 30–Career

Volusia County Fire Services, Florida

Firefighter Curry was a member of the Volusia County Wildland Fire Team. The team was practicing 

chain saw use at the fire department training center. During training, a pine tree fell and crushed 

Firefighter Curry. He was treated by firefighters at the scene but did not survive.

e

November 28, 2007–2330 hrs

Jon Mark Bingham, Assistant Fire Chief

Age 48–Volunteer

Geary Volunteer Fire Department, Oklahom

Assistant Fire Chief Bingham responded with his department to a fatal apartment building fire late in 

the evening of November 18, 2007. According to reports, he stayed on scene over the next 18 hours 

until the recovery of the deceased was completed. 

85
Chief Bingham returned to the station to put away equipment, finishing at approximately 1800 hours 

on November 29. Several hours after returning to his residence and going to bed, Assistant Fire 

Chief Bingham passed away from an apparent heart attack. He was pronounced dead at 0230 on 

November 30, 2007.

e

December 8, 2007–1741 hrs

Donald Wallis, Firefighter

Age 68–Volunteer

Forked River Volunteer Fire Company, New Jersey

On Saturday December 8, 2007, at 1700 hours, Fire Chief Kevin Flynn had the Forked River Fire 

Company (Station 60) dispatched to respond to their building for a holiday special detail that also 

promotes important community fire prevention, fire department recruiting, retention, and fundraising. 

At 1741 hours, Firefighter Wallis suffered a massive heart attack while on duty performing his duties 

at the special detail. EMS and paramedics were requested and arrived on location at 1755 hours. 

Firefighter Wallis was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted into the critical care unit. 

Firefighter Wallis was not able to recover from his heart attack and died on December 16, 2007, at 

0852 hours.

e

December 15, 2007–1112 hrs

Alphonse Vincent Germano, Jr., First Assistant Chief

Age 60–Volunteer

Derry Volunteer Fire Department, Pennsylvania

First Assistant Chief Germano returned from responding to an automatic fire alarm when the 

company was dispatched at 1112 hours to a residential fire. Chief Germano stayed behind with a 

standby crew and worked communications, and then assisted servicing apparatus when firefighters 

returned from the house fire. Shortly thereafter, fellow firefighters found Chief Germano in cardiac 

arrest.

Firefighters immediately initiated CPR, attached an AED that was provided by a responding police 

officer, and called for paramedics. Chief Germano was transported to the hospital, but died from the 

apparent heart attack.

86
December 17, 2007–2300 hrs

Peter G. Neilson, Firefighter–Emergency Medical Responder

Age 74–Volunteer

Kenockee Township Fire Department, Michigan

At approximately 2300 hours, Firefighter Neilson responded with a crew to an emergency medical 

call. While on the scene, he was speaking with family members of the patient in an adjoining room 

when he sat down on a chair and suddenly passed out. Care was initiated immediately on scene, 

and he was transported to the local hospital where he succumbed to an apparent heart attack.

e

December 19, 2007–0330 hrs

Raymond Charles Simonis III, Firefighter

Age 48–Volunteer

Wissachickon Fire Company, Ambler, Pennsylvania

Firefighter Simonis responded as a part of a ladder company crew to a report of fire in a residence. 

Firefighters found a light haze and electrical smell in the house and determined that the source of 

the smell was a burned-out electrical motor. Firefighter Simonis had helped locate the source and 

was wearing full turnout gear.

Firefighters returned to the station and concluded the incident at approximately 1220 hours. 

Firefighter Simonis went home and later went to work. 

Firefighter Simonis returned home from work in the early morning hours of December 18, 2007. He 

told his wife that he was having difficulty breathing. An ambulance was called and Firefighter Simonis 

was transported to the hospital. As Firefighter Simonis was transferred into the care of hospital staff, 

he became unconscious and died. The cause of death was a heart attack.

e

December 21, 2007–0900 hrs

Theresa Maria Lynn, Assistant Captain

Age 38–Volunteer

Luminary-Frostbite Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Tennesse

Assistant Captain Lynn was responding in her personal vehicle to a reported vehicle crash with 

rollover. While responding in rain and fog conditions, she lost control of her vehicle in an “S-turn.”

Her vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The 

status of Assistant Captain Lynn’s seatbelt at the time of the crash is unknown.

87
December 28, 2007–2353 hrs

Walter C. Fagan, Jr., Firefighter

Age 48–Volunteer

East Greenwich Township Fire/Rescue, New Jersey

Firefighter Fagan was responding to a report of a residential fire as a part of a fire company crew. 

The fire was found to be a good-intent call but the services of the fire department were not required.

Firefighter Fagan became ill while still in the apparatus. Firefighters provided assistance and called 

for an ambulance. Firefighter Fagan was transported to the hospital but died as the result of a heart 

attack.

e

Firefighter Fatality Prior to 2007

September 16, 2006–Time Unknown

Gary Curtis Cook, Firefighter

Age 49–Volunteer

Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Texas

Firefighter Cook participated in ladder drills on the morning of September 16, 2006. Afternoon 

training included vehicle extrication activities using hand and power tools. Firefighter Cook 

responded from the training site to a wildland fire and participated in fire suppression activities.

At the conclusion of the wildland incident, Firefighter Cook returned his apparatus to service and 

departed for home at approximately 1700 hours. Firefighter Cook died later that day or early the 

next morning. He was discovered deceased on the morning of September 17, 2006. His death was 

caused by a heart attack.

88
89

Firefighter

Criteri

Orga

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 

the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 

(NFFF), the United States 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, 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 do not 

coincide with one another. This section will 

Ap p e n di

explain the inclusion criteria for each organization 

and provide information about these differences.

The USFA includes firefighters in this report who 

die while on duty, who become ill while on duty 

and later die, and firefighters who die 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 Territories 

such as Puerto Rico and Guam. Detailed inclusion 

criteria for this report appear starting on page 90 

of this report.

For 2007, the USFA reported 118 onduty 

firefighter fatalities.

118

102

100

USFA NFPA

ORGANIZATION

NFFF

FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES IN 2007

INCIDENTS OCCURING IN 2007

FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES
90

Inclsion 

Annual Firef

St

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 on duty. The purpose of the study is to 

analyze trends in the types of illnesses and injuries 

resulting in death 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.) 

Wh is 

For the purpose of the NFPA study, the term 

“firefighter” covers all uniformed members of 

organized fire departments, whether career, 

volunteer, 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 also would 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. 

Wht does

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, or 

fundraising; and being on call, 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 on 

duty that proves fatal, and fatal mishaps involving 

nonemergency occupational hazards that occur 

while on duty. 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 delayed considerably. 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.
91

Cateor

th

The NFPA study does not include members 

of fire department auxiliaries; nonuniformed 

employees of fire departments; emergency 

medical technicians 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 factors. In practice, there 

is as 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.

2007 e

In 2007, a total of 102 onduty firefighter deaths 

occurred in the United States, according to the 

NFPA inclusion criteria.

National Fa

F

In 1997, fire service leaders formulated new 

criteria to determine eligibility for inclusion 

on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. 

Line-of-duty deaths shall be determined by the 

following standards:

1. (a) Deaths of firefighters meeting the 

Department of Justice’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 cover only 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, Maryland. The 

names listed there begin with those firefighters 

who died in the line-of-duty that year. The U.S. 

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters 

Foundation 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.
92

At the October 2008 Memorial Weekend, the 

Foundation will be honoring 110 firefighters 

who died in the line of duty. Of those 110 

being honored, 100 died in 2007 as the result of 

incidents that occurred in 2007, 1 firefighter died 

in 2007 as the result of an incident that occurred 

in a previous year, and 9 others died in previous 

years as the result of incidents that occurred in 

previous years. The following section is a listing 

of the firefighters who will be honored by the 

Foundation in October of 2008.

Firef

ocurre

res

ocurr

Sidney Alan Hall, Firefighter 

Jeremy Christopher Adams, Fire Chief 

Daryl W. Mutton, Captain 

Kevin Charles Reed, Lieutenant 

Shane Michael Daughetee, Firefighter 

Anthony T. Catania, Fire Commissioner and Safety 

Officer 

Craig Lawrence Dorsey II, Firefighter–EMT 

Frederick Allen “Fred” Burroughs, Captain 

Michael L. “Mike” Fox, Firefighter 

Shane Todd King, Firefighter 

John W. Broom-Smith, Jr., Firefighter

Jeremy Charles LaBella, Firefighter 

Joseph Torkos, Fire Engineer Operator 

Racheal Michelle Wilson, Firefighter–Paramedic 

Apprentice 

Steven Eric Vanderpool, Jr., Firefighter 

Jeffrey M. Murray, Firefighter 

Theodore J. Abriel, Sr., Acting Lieutenant 

Paul Tyler Reynolds, Sr., Firefighter–EMT

Eddy G. Ivers, Fire Chief 

William F. Grant, Firefighter 

Brandon Michael Whimple, Firefighter 

Billy Harold Williams, Firefighter 

Steve Olinik, Jr., Firefighter 

Edgar Hamlin Scott, Fire Police Captain 

Christopher Michael Jaros, Firefighter 

Kyle Robert Wilson, Firefighter-Technician I 

Billy Aaron Gafford, Jr., Captain–Paramedic

Joe Eddie Ivy, Captain 

Vernon Robert “Bob” McKenzie, Firefighter 

William D. Church, Sr., Fire Police Captain 

Bruce Joseph Zumwalt, Firefighter 

Peter Beebe-Lawson, Firefighter 

Ottis Earl Stephenson, Jr., Firefighter 

Brandon Lee Daley, Firefighter 

Jeffrey Jeans, Firefighter–EMT

Edward Levirgil Andrews IV, Fire Captain

Joseph E. Piazzi, Deputy Chief and Fire Police 

Captain 

John Francis Keane, Captain 

Dennis Cheshire, Firefighter 

Bradley William “Wally” Green, Firefighter 

Henry Lawrence “Hank” Pitts, Jr., Lieutenant 
93

Felix Maurice Roberts, Firefighter II 

David A. Middleton, Firefighter 

Mark Stevens Carter, Engineer–Paramedic 

David Allan Rufer, Firefighter 

William H. “Billy” Hutchinson, Captain 

Theodore Michael Benke, Captain 

Louis Mark Mulkey, Captain 

Mark Wesley Kelsey, Engineer-Acting Captain 

Bradford Rodney “Brad” Baity, Engineer 

Melvin Edward Champaign, Firefighter 

Michael Jonathon Alan French, Assistant Engineer 

Brandon Kenyon Thompson, Firefighter 

James “Earl” Allen Drayton, Firefighter 

Daniel F. Pujdak, Firefighter 

Timothy Lavern Sanborn, Firefighter 

Samuel W. Downing, Captain 

Dennise Marie Leslie, Firefighter 

James J. McRae III, Firefighter–Technician 

Stephen R. Dembski, Firefighter 

Matthew Charles Burton, Captain 

Scott Peter Desmond, Fire Engineer 

Dennis Luster Davis, Pilot 

Jon Charles Trainer, Firefighter 

James Glenn “Shib” Miller, Firefighter 

Nemeth Fitzhugh Sanders, Forest Fire Equipment 

Operator 

Kevin Glenn Williams, Captain 

Austin Hague Cheek, Firefighter 

Gerald David “Jerry” Donley, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief 

Paul Darrin Baker, Lieutenant 

Todd Whitney Hage, Firefighter 

Anthony Philip Cox, Captain 

Glenn Williams Miller, Probationary Firefighter

Michael Paul Stephen Heuer, Fire Chief 

Robert C. Beddia, Firefighter 

Joseph Graffagnino, Firefighter 

Jeffrey Dale Swartz, Firefighter 

Jared W. Zimmerly, Firefighter 

Michael Dean Stanfield, Captain 

Leonard R. Bailey, Jr., Fire Chief 

Jerry Wayne Stucker, Firefighter–EMT 

Kelly L. Page, Firefighter 

William D. “Billy” McDaniels, Sr., Fire Police 

Captain 

Bryon Wayne Johnson, Lieutenant 

John E. “Dawg” Lietzke, Firefighter 

Mike D. Reagan, Jr., Firefighter 

Adam Edward Cole, Firefighter 

Matthew Richard Will, Heavy Fire Equipment 

Operator 

Robert Wayne Phillips, Firefighter 

Scott A. Mumm, Lieutenant 

Jeremy W. Wach, Firefighter 

Carl Stanley Engdahl, Fire Chief 

Michael J. Tluscik, Sr., Senior Firefighter 

John Jacob “JJ” Curry, Firefighter 
94

Jon Mark Bingham, Assistant Fire Chief 

Alphonse Vincent Germano, Jr., First Assistant Chief 

Peter G. Neilson, Firefighter–Medical First 

Responder 

Raymond Charles Simonis III, Firefighter

Theresa Maria Lynn, Assistant Captain 

Walter C. Fagan, Jr., Firefighter 

Firef

ocurre

iiden

Stephen Harbison, Firefighter–Paramedic

Firef

occrred

Paul R. Brady, Firefighter

Gary Vernon Cook, Captain

Chelsea Lyn Garvin, Firefighter

Darrell Keith Michael, President

William A. Riley, Firefighter

Benjamin Craig Rouchon, Firefighter

David Wayne Stautamoyer, Assistant Fire Chief

John A. Stura, Firefighter

Gregory Harold Vieth, Lieutenant

Photo by Mark Whitney, U.S. Fire Administration