December 2007 LODD's

[hp4l]

Well, I guess it was wishful thinking that we could go a whole month without one of these. We made it half a month at least. I got this from the secret list. More details are sure to follow.

PA LODD: It is with deep regret that we advise you that the Derry Borough (Westmoreland County) Fire Company is reporting the LODD of Asst Chief Alphonse Vincent Germano, Jr. Chief Germano was at the fire station when he was found deceased by Firefighters. He had responded on an automatic fire alarm, and returned to the station when shortly thereafter, the company was dispatched on another run. The assistant chief stayed behind with another crew. When the engine returned, Chief Germano helped get it back in service when a short time later, fellow firefighters found Chief Germano in the kitchen in cardiac arrest, his members worked him and he was transported to a local hospital but unfortunately was pronounced dead.

[mumbles181]

This has been declared a LODD, but is close enough. He was at the firehouse participating in a company event.

New Jersey Firefighter Collapses Before 'Santa Detail'
Funeral information below
............

app.com



FORKED RIVER, N.J.-- 'Santa Detail' is something Firefighter Donald J. Wallis took part in for many of his more than 50 years with the Forked River Fire Company.

Wallis was often the one who would drive the fire engine around town -- with Santa Claus on his sleigh perched on top of the truck -- for children and adults alike to see.

But on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 16, right before the company was about to leave the firehouse, he told other firefighters he didn't feel well. The 68-year-old collapsed and was revived by paramedics but was later pronounced dead at the Community Medical Center in Toms River.

"He was well-liked, well loved, and was just the greatest guy," said Firefighter Greg Baranyay, an ex-president of the company who has worked alongside Wallis for 22 years.

"He was a very devoted life member," he said. "Whenever he was needed he did what was asked of him.

"He was very well known throughout the area. We're expecting a lot of firefighters at his funeral."

Wallis is survived by children: daughters Wendy Cramer and Sandy Robinson and son Mickey Wallis; six grandchildren and one great grandchild; and the mother of his children, Joyce White.

Funeral Information

Visitation is scheduled for Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Riggs Funeral, 130 Route 9, Forked River, N.J.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. at Good Luck Cemetery in Lanoka Harbor, N.J.

[hp4l]

Here's another on that I got from the secret list today:

It is with sincere regret that we advise you that Past Chief and active member Peter G. Neilson, with 25 years of service died in the Line of Duty while on a medical emergency call. On Monday, December 17, 2007 at 22:21 the Kenockee Township FD was dispatched to a medical emergency. Past Chief Peter Neilson had entered the home and was talking to family members when he slowly sat down and became unconscious.
As department members and Paramedics from TRI ambulance came to his assistance they found him with difficulty breathing. A few minutes later he went into full arrest; defibrillator and advanced life support measures took place. Peter was transported to the Port Huron general hospital and could not be revived. Chief Neilson was also a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel.

[hp4l]

Got this one from Phillyfirenews.com on 12/20/07:

It is with deep regret to announce the line of duty death of Firefighter Ray Simonis (48) of the Wissahickon Fire Company in Ambler, PA. Ray died from an apparent heart attack after responding to smoke condition at an apartment building. He leaves behind his wife and three daughters.

[JDub]

I know I am talking about the obvious when I say jesus we are having brothers die way to much and way to much from heart attacks. Now mind you there might be the exception of older fireman passing due to this cause but to many of then are to young. I think it is time we and I mean WE, should come up with a plan of action against this.

What do you all say we try to put together a healthy food and meals section and possibly recommended work outs.....I mean seriously guys how about us coming together on this issue. I sure as hell no I need to eat better and exercise more. I think between all the intelligent people on this site we can come up with something.

[hp4l]

Here is another one from the secret list.

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a FF with the Luminary FD (Tennessee) died while responding to a call. 38 year-old Volunteer Firefighter Theresa Coffman Lynn was responding to a crash reporting a pickup truck rolled over on its side around 0900 yesterday. FF Lynn's vehicle starting sliding and she hit a tree and was killed about a mile away from her firehouse.

[hp4l]

This one hits a little closer to home. Got this from Philly Fire News. More info to come as it is received.

12/28/07

A firefighter from the Mt Royal Fire Company in East Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, NJ died while responding a call just after midnight on Saturday.

Initial reports are that the firefighter went into cardiac arrest in the engine while en route to a reported dwelling fire. EMS transported the firefighter in his 40's to Underwood Hospital where he died.

The dwelling fire turned out to be a false alarm.

[3105]

I don't have any hard numbers to support my theory, but lately it seems as though far too many of the cardiac related LODD's are for firefighters in their forties.

Here's my theory: this age group, and the one immediately younger, are suffering A disproportionate share of heart attacks due to the smoke content, which (again, in my opinion unsupported by any hard data) has changed considerably in the past ten years.

Think about what's different from then to now: extensive use of PVC piping in homes for both waste and potable water as well as heating vents; more and different forms of fiberglass based insulation and finished materials as well as a quantum increase in hydrocarbon based products like plastic and other composites. Increased use of engineered wood products containing significant amounts of resin-based materials...the list goes on and on. (Example: fiberglass based roof shingles)

In the past two years, the emergence of hydrogen cyanide as a significant by-product of incomplete combustion (produced by the same exact materials I just cited above) has suddenly become a major player in firefighter related injuries, most recently in Providence, Rhode Island.

I think the enemy has changed tactics...and we're not catching on fast enough.

The crap I was breathing twenty five years ago was the result of natural materials - wool, cotton, paper, wood....not to say it was benign, but my gut tells me it was nowhere as lethal as the shit being produced today by all this synthetic stuff.

I think the margin of error for using SCBA has decreased drastically....I think we need to re-think a culture that reinforces the notion that using SCBA is a sign of weakness...especially AFTER the fire is out and this stuff is still being produced in copious amounts by the smoldering pile of crap.

I believe we need to re-focus on lung protection....we have safety glasses for the eyes, PPe for our bodies, boots for our feet...and we should have SCBA - EVEN IF WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY IN THE SMOKE PLUME.

[hp4l]

To further report on the East Greenwich LODD:

The call was for a dwelling fire. The neighbors saw flames in the windows. They turned out to be a salamander (sp?) and the assignment was recalled. When the Engine went to head back to the station, the driver noticed the FF in the back was unconcious.

[JDub]

Jim any word on funeral arrangements yet....

[hp4l]

Not as of this time. I will post them when I find out the details. I imagine end of the week due to the holidays maybe.

[hp4l]

The East Greenwich firefighter that unfortunatly lost his life was ten year veteran Firefighter Walter Fagan of the Mt. Royal Fire Company.

[hp4l]

Funeral information for FF Hagan of Mt. Royal Fire Company, from Philly Fire News:

Funeral will take place Friday 1-4-2008 at the McBride - Foley Funeral Home 228 W Broad St Paulsboro NJ at 10:30hrs .

[hp4l]

Not sure if this is a LODD or not. I got this from the secret list.

An Air Evac helicopter searching for a lost hunter crashed around 0300 today in a wooded area in Colbert County, Alabama with no survivors. Air Evac is an air ambulance service, which also assists in search and rescue details. A man involved in the search said the Air Evac crew had spotted the man just before 0300 and were holding a spotlight on him to show ground searchers where to find him. Suddenly, the helicopter crashed, causing a huge explosion. Lost in the crash were:
Pilot - Michael Baker
Nurse - Tiffany Miles
Paramedic- Allan Bragwell
The Underwood-Petersville VFD and the Lauderdale County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments are advising that in addition to working on the Air Evac flight team, Allan Bragwell was acting director of the Helen Keller Ambulance Service, and a Firefighter with the UPVFD. As always, our most sincere condolences to all affected-especially the families of those killed in the crash.

[Click Click 27]

hp4l said:

To further report on the East Greenwich LODD:

The call was for a dwelling fire. The neighbors saw flames in the windows. They turned out to be a salamander (sp?) and the assignment was recalled. When the Engine went to head back to the station, the driver noticed the FF in the back was unconcious.

yea he was found slumed in his seat. they pulled over and the ambulance was right behind them. he died of a massive heart attack

[hp4l]

Final viewing/funeral information for FF Hagan of Mt. Royal Fire Company:

Viewing: Thursday January 3, 2008 6pm-9pm
Friday January 4, 2008 9am-10:30am

Funeral: Friday January 4, 2008 10:30am

All services at: McBride-Foley Funeral Home
228 West Broad Street
Paulsboro, NJ 08066

[hp4l]

Last one for 2007. Got this from the secret list.

While we cannot confirm if this is an LODD or not, we are friends with the folks involved and knew the victim, so we wanted to pass this on. Early this morning there was a crash involving a tractor trailer and a Jeep Cherokee on the U.S. 15 bridge over the Potomac River in Frederick County (MD) which is on the border of Loudoun County, VA. Loudoun County Fire Lieutenant Alex Keepers, 31, the driver of the Jeep, was killed in that crash. Lt. Keepers was traveling south on U.S. 15 heading to his fire station when cops say he lost control of his vehicle on the icy bridge. He then slid into the northbound lane and was struck by the semi near the Maryland and Virginia border.
Lt. Keepers, a Frederick resident and Volunteer Firefighter with the Independent Hose Company in Frederick, Maryland, was on his way to work as a Career Fire Lieutenant with Loudoun County. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
As always, our sincere sympathies go out to the family of Lt. Keepers as well as the members of Independent Hose Company, Loudoun County Fire Rescue and LCFR IAFF Local 3756.

[hp4l]

Are any departments looking to go to the viewing or funeral for the East Greenwich FF? I think Districts 20 and 25 are going.