July 2009 LODDs

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From the secret list:

PENNSYLVANIA FIREFIGHTER LINE OF DUTY DEATH-WHILE OPERATING AT A DWELLING FIRE

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a 27 year old Strattanville (Clarion County, PA) Firefighter died in the Line of Duty early this morning. The Firefighter was transported to the Clarion Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest while operating at the at the scene of a dwelling fire and has succumbed to his injuries. Initial reports are that the FF complained of serious head pain and collapsed after that. CPR was initiated immediately by members at the scene but he tragically passed. Actual cause and details are not known at this time but it appears that this was a medically related LODD.

As always, our sincere condolences to all affected.

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NEW YORK FIREFIGHTER DIES FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED WHILE ON DUTY
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

A New York Firefighter has died in the Line of Duty, months after he was injured during a safety demonstration. FF Robert Johnson struck his head when he fell off a fire truck in October at a nursery school. He had served for 17 years in the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department in Putnam County. Fire Chief Ann Link advises that FF Johnson died late Sunday from complications due to his injuries. The former Marine was 75. FF Johnson had been in a coma since the Oct. 20 incident. He was trying to retrieve an air tank from the truck when he lost his footing and fell a few feet, striking his head on the ground and losing consciousness. Calling hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. today, and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home in Mahopac. A Mass will be held at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Church. As always, our most sincere condolences to all affected.

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ASST CHIEF LODD AT HOUSE FIRE-FIRE WORKS TO BLAME-SUSPECT CHARGED
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

A Schell City teenager has been charged in connection with two fires that lead to the Line of Duty death of the Assistant Fire Chief. Charles Stewart, 18, was charged with damaging a house and a storage building and is facing two charges of second-degree arson. Schell City Assistant Fire Chief Dale Haddix died in the Line in Duty while operating at the vacant dwelling fire. Assistant Fire Chief Haddix engaged the pump on the department apparatus and then slumped over as he experienced a medical emergency. Efforts to save the life of Chief Haddix were unsuccessful.

Stewart admitted shooting a Roman candle at the structure that caught fire Saturday and also admitted to setting fire at an unoccupied home in Schell City June 20.

As always, our sincere condolences to all affected.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

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From the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise that Firefighter David Grass Jr of the Ste. Genevieve (MO) FD has died in the Line of Duty. FF Grass passed away at 1140 hours, today, July 8th, 2009.

Firefighter Grass was at the fire station doing department sponsored physical fitness training when he became ill, yesterday, Tuesday, July 7th. Firefighter Grass was preparing for an upcoming State Firefighter Certification program at the time of the incident. After becoming ill, Firefighter Grass was flown to St. Louis University Medical Center by air ambulance. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, Firefighter Grass succumb to an apparent brain injury while involved in the physical fitness training.
David Grass Jr. had been a Volunteer Firefighter since January 20th of this year. He was 34 years old and is survived by his wife Paula, of 9 years and two children Collin, age 8, and Alyssa, age 4. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. As always, our most sincere condolences go out to all affected.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

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From the secret list:

It is with deep regret that we advise the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter /Paramedic Joe Gravs of the Mandeville Fire Department in Mandeville, LA and Advance Care EMS. FF Gravs had just completed a shift at the Mandeville FD and had just reported for work at Advance Care EMS. FF Gravs suffered a stroke and was transported to the hospital were he died on July 11, 2009. Our sincere condolences to all affected.

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FIREFIGHTER KILLED DURING TRAINING-CALIFORNIA
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.

It is with deep regret that we advise you that a Firefighter was killed today on the Backbone fire in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. It happened during a "routine training exercise" when the Firefighter was involved in an accident this morning. A Helicopter and its crew, who are assigned to the Backbone Fire, was conducting weekly skill proficiency acceptance training and was involved in an accident involving some kind of fall that took the Firefighters life.
At 1010 this morning while performing a proficiency skill acceptance training, at the Backbone Helibase in Willow Creek, the Firefighter fell and incurred fatal injuries. The training is required to be conducted weekly to insure the crew's safety and proficiency.
Information is limited at this time and all names of individuals involved are being with held until notifications to families have been made. The Firefighter was provided medical attention immediately at the scene.
The Backbone Fire has burned 6,324 acres in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It was started by lightning on July 1 and is 80 percent contained. On Friday, a helicopter assigned to the fire, operated by a contractor, crashed while refilling its water tanks, injuring both pilots.
A year ago, nine Firefighters died in the crash of a similar helicopter fighting the Buckhorn Fire, also in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

More details to follow. As always, our most sincere condolences to all affected.

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From the secret list:

As reported last night, National Forest Service Firefighter Thomas Marovich, 20, had been taking part in required weekly rappelling training, in which people slide down a rope from a hovering helicopter when he fell about 200 feet to the ground, said Forest Service spokeswoman Robin Cole. FF. Marovich was a second year apprentice firefighter on the Modoc National Forest, she said. He was working with the Chester Helitack Crew from the Lassen National Forest that had been assigned to the Backbone Fire in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

The training was a routine part of the ongoing battle to contain the Backbone Fire, a Forest Service spokesman said. The training is conducted at least every 14 days, he said. The death is being investigated by a Forest Service accident investigation team and the National Transportation Safety Board. Sparked by lightning on July 1, the Backbone Fire has charred 6,324 acres and was 80 percent contained as of today, Cole said. More than 500 firefighters are still working the fire, which is expected to be fully contained Friday. Our sincere condolences to all involved.