January 2008 LODDs

[hp4l]

Unfortunately, we have to start the new year off on a bad note. I got this from the secret list.

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Firefighter with the Oregon Hill Volunteer Fire Department was killed in a rollover crash early this morning while responding to a run. Oregon Hill VFD is located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. We will have more details posted later but initial reports are that he was in his POV and was ejected.

Updating the earlier N.C. LODD information, Oregon Hill Volunteer FF Paul Lewis Ellington, 36, was killed around 0730 this morning while responding to a working dwelling fire. FF Ellington lost control of his pickup truck, it overturned and it went down an embankment...he was pronounced DOA. FF Ellington was reported by investigators as to have not been wearing a seat belt and was exceeding the speed limit.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 1

[hp4l]

Here's another one from the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a 66 year old Kimball Township (MI) Volunteer Firefighter died in the Line of Duty from a heart attack yesterday. 36 year veteran Firefighter Donald Patterson, responded to the firehouse after his FD was dispatched for wires down. A short time after returning home, he experienced chest pains, he was taken to a hospital for treatment and passed away during surgery.

My opinion:
66 year old firefighter? Maybe I'm wrong for thinking this way, but when is it time to stop? And the heart attack happened after he went home. This could have happened if he was home shoveling snow. But because he went to a wires call an hour or so before, it's a LODD. Yes, his family will be taken care of but is this really a LODD? This is just my opinion and I hope that I do not offend anyone with this thinking.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 2

[voyager9]

hp4l said:

My opinion:
66 year old firefighter? Maybe I'm wrong for thinking this way, but when is it time to stop? And the heart attack happened after he went home. This could have happened if he was home shoveling snow. But because he went to a wires call an hour or so before, it's a LODD. Yes, his family will be taken care of but is this really a LODD? This is just my opinion and I hope that I do not offend anyone with this thinking.

I'm of two minds on this one. My first thought was your right at 66 its probably time to step aside. Then I realized that my dad is 68 now and is still packing up back home. He also is in better shape then I am.
I don't know that we should have an absolute age, rather perhaps when a certain age is reached more thorough and periodic exams are required to stay on the front lines.

[hp4l]

I'll agree with that voyager. I guess the thing that really gets me is that a firefighter can go to the station for a call, not get on a truck, go home and hours later have a heart attack and it's a LODD.

[hp4l]

Another one from the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Lieutenant from Engine Company 249 in Brooklyn was killed in the Line of Duty this evening. Initial reports are that companies were operating at a hi-rise fire and had wind driven fire and heavy smoke conditions. Other Firefighters have been injured and we will provide additional details as they become available.

Here is an update on FDNY Fire Lieutenant John Martinson, of Engine Company 249 of Brooklyn, who died in the Line of Duty last evening after operating on the 14th floor of the 25-story working apartment building fire.

Lt. Martinson spent most of his career with Engine Company 80 in Harlem before being transferred to Engine 249 in Flatbush, where he spent the past year. A Staten Island resident, Lt. Martinson tragically leaves behind a wife, Jessica, and a baby son, John Patrick, age 22 months, and his wife is pregnant with their second child. 4 other firefighters were hospitalized, two with smoke inhalation and two with burns during the fire at the Ebbets Field apartments. They were expected to be released from the hospital by Saturday.

The 2nd alarm fire trapped residents on upper floors, filled hallways with heavy smoke and heat conditions and was reported to be wind driven. The residents of the apartment where the fire started had exited their apartment, but had left the door open, potentially contributing to the spread and conditions.

100+ FDNY Firefighters responded to the building fire, which has 400 apartments. The call came in about 1916 hours and was brought under control around 2030 hours.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 3

[hp4l]

Another one from the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Fire Captain with the City of Scranton (PA) FD was killed in the Line of Duty this morning during a working house fire, in Scranton. 3 other Firefighters are also in the Hospital with injuries after the Job, but are non-life threatening. SFD Fire Captain Jim Robson was killed fighting the fire while in the bucket of a truck company when the bucket came in contact with power lines. An elderly couple died in the fire.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 4

[hp4l]

We are not off to a good start this year. Another from the secret list:

PA. LODD-CARDIAC ARREST AT FIRE STATION: It is with deep regret that we advise you that this morning, a Firefighter from the Penn Hills VFD Lincoln Park in Allegheny County PA suffered a cardiac arrest at the fire station upon returning from an automatic fire alarm call. He was transported to the hospital where he passed away. Our sincere condolences to all affected.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 5

[hp4l]

Another from the secret list:

And it is with deep regret that we advise you that at approximately 1300 hours, Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Jarrett Dixon, 36 years old, of the Baltimore County Fire Department suffered cardiac arrest and was not revived. FADO Dixon had developed chest pains at work while conducting physical training at his assigned duty Fire Station 5 "B" Shift on Wednesday. He was treated and transported by EMS personnel from his career station to a local hospital. Following a "negative" cardiac catheterization on Thursday, he was released to home. While at home, Jarrett tragically suffered a seizure followed by Cardiac Arrest while being transported by his volunteer company (Liberty Road Vol. FD) EMS to a local hospital. Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Jarrett Dixon is survived by his 5 year old son, his girlfriend and his parents. At this time arrangements are incomplete. Our sincere condolences to the members of the Baltimore County FD, Station 5 crew, the Liberty Road VFD (Baltimore County 46), his family...but especially his surviving 5 year old Son.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 6

[hp4l]

I got this one this weekend from the secret list. I am not sure if this is considered LODD or not. Either way, it's ashame and another FF has been taken from us. If anyone knows if this is a LODD or not, please let me know so I can keep the tally up to date.

We regret to advise you that a West County EMS & Fire Protection District (MO) FF/PM Lou Berra died on duty yesterday, as he was found in his bed Friday morning during the shift change. FF/PM Berra served the district for 11 years and also served with the Frontenac FD for 12 years. FF/PM Berra is survived by his wife and two children.

[FirstDue312]

If I had to guess it sounds like one?

[hp4l]

And yet another one from the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Paintsville (KY) Assistant Fire Chief/EMS Director/Paramedic Christa Dawn Burchett. During icy road conditions shortly after 0900 hours this morning, Chief Burchett responded to a crash with possible injuries about 5 miles west of Paintsville. While evaluating and assisting a female patient at the scene, a coal-carrying semi-truck slid on the ice and struck and killed Assistant Chief Burchett and the female patient. The coal truck was coming over a hill and braked, but slammed into a police cruiser and ultimately the two victims. The patient was 11 weeks pregnant. Assistant Chief Burchett is 33 years old and has a 14 year old daughter. Additional details will follow and as always, our sincere sympathies go out to all affected, especially the members of the Paintsville Fire/EMS and the family of Chief Burchett.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 8

[hp4l]

They keep coming in unfortunately. Another from the secret list:

It is with regret that we advise you that FF Herman Jones of the Raleigh (NC) FD passed away last night at UNC Hospital after suffering an aortic tear a couple of days earlier while responding to a medical call from Station #10. He had served the Raleigh FD since May of 1980.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 9

[hp4l]

Another from the secret list. Guys and girls, don't be afraid to be checked out at a scene. I don't know the specifics of this incident bt how many times have we seen people refuse treatment or rehab. Early treatment may have saved this FF. Just speculation but you never know. Don't let your pride get in the way of your health. Rant complete. Here is the LODD:

CHEST PAINS LEAD TO LODD: It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Huttonsville-Mill Creek VFD (W.Va) Firefighter McAtee. FF McAtee responded to the station for a fire call and drove apparatus to the scene of a chimney fire. Upon arrival, he reported to the Fire Chief, his son, and told him that he thought that he pulled a muscle opening the apparatus bay door when leaving the station. Later FF McAtee was observed holding his chest and when asked, indicated that he thought that perhaps it was the extremely cold weather that was causing him discomfort. Firefighter McAtee declined to be sent for evaluation or treatment and returned the apparatus to the station. He returned home and was witnessed by his wife again holding his chest, but he stated it was either a pulled muscle or from the extreme cold. At 1629 hours, Chief McAtee was summoned to Firefighter McAtee's residence, finding him unresponsive. CPR was initiated on scene by the Chief and care was continued through transport to the local hospital where Firefighter McAtee sadly passed away. As always, our condolences to all affected by this sad loss....which serves as a reminder to any of us to treat this type of situation as serious....even though it can often be our nature to sometimes not to.

Line of Duty Deaths Year to Date: 10

[hp4l]

Got this one from the secret list:

We regret to advise you that a 23-year-old EMT with Huron Valley Ambulance (MI) was killed in the Line of Duty early today when she was pinned between two vehicles on I-94 near Chelsea, following her and her partner stopping to help the occupants of a vehicle that had slid off the road on I-94 this morning. The EMTs were between calls at 0608 hours when they noticed a stranded vehicle...the EMT was struck by a second vehicle sliding off the road when she exited the ambulance to approach the first vehicle.

[hp4l]

A side note to the LODD postings. There are many LODD's each year in the US and other countries and in the EMS world. I was going to try to keep a running tab after each post but instead, the LODD will just be posted and every so often, I will try to post a review with a count. I also want to thank opsoverkill for his help in the LODD threads as he is able to find some good info about LODDs and preventing them.

[opsoverkill]

Local Tri state Area DE

Hey...
This morning around 0615 hours there was a fatal civilian car vs FD ambulance crash in Sussex County, DE. The crash involved a Millsboro FD ambulance. A Paramedic with Sussex County was tragically killed in the Line of Duty, as was a civilian. Other Millsboro FD EMS personnel were injured as well, but are expected to survive. We have posted photos on our home page..initial reports are that the ambulance was returning from a run. The photos indicate that the ambulance was t-boned in the rear box area. Updates will follow.

[opsoverkill]

Hey...
We were initially advised (and confirmed twice) by officials that hospital staff had advised that the Paramedic in Sussex County had passed away, but now the good news and updated information is that the Paramedic is still alive. We will keep you advised. Please keep all in Delaware and especially Sussex County, the Paramedics family and all affected, in your prayers and hope for the best following this very positive news.

[ENG27SQ]

Good to hear he is alive.

Keep us on the up and up...Chief.