Firefighter Close Calls

NEWPORT, Ky. — A man has been charged after allegedly spraying two firefighters with bear spray at a Newport fire station early Wednesday, according to court records. In a press release, the city of Newport says a woman with facial injuries ran into a Newport fire station around 1 a.m. to seek help. Moments later, […]

Firefighter Killed After Becoming Disoriented During High-Rise Office Building Fire – Newark, New Jersey – August 12, 1984 On August 12, 1984, Newark, New Jersey Firefighter James M. Murray was killed while fighting a three-alarm fire in a 15-story office building in the central business district of the city. Firefighter Murray, who was normally assigned […]

The greatest risk to firefighters is running into burning buildings to save someone’s life. The second biggest risk? Developing cancer from the exposure they face as part of the requirements of their job. Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, due to the smoke they inhale from burning buildings and the toxins absorbed through their […]

Fire Captain Dies After Falling Through Floor into Basement During Two-Alarm Dwelling Fire – Frederick County, Maryland – August 11, 2021 – Frederick County After Action Report and Improvement Plan – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2021-14 On August 11, 2021, Captain Joshua D. Laird of the Frederick County, Maryland Division of Fire and Rescue Services […]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg firefighter who suffered a traumatic brain injury on the job says his biggest fight didn’t start at the fire scene. He says it started afterward, when the workers’ compensation system he counted on stopped paying benefits and denied the care he still needs. Tyler Vilimek’s days now look […]

Assistant Fire Chief Killed in Porch Collapse During Residential Structure Fire – Altus, Oklahoma – August 10, 2018  On August 10, 2018, Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Madison Lee Clinton Jr. was killed after he was pinned beneath a collapsed porch roof while battling a house fire outside of Altus, Oklahoma. Area fire crews […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse Following Fire in Peanut Warehouse – Bishop & Spears Peanut Warehouse Fire – St. Louis, Missouri – August 10, 1887 On August 10, 1887, St. Louis Missouri Fire Department Foreman Bernard McKernan and Fireman Frank McDonald of Hook & Ladder 6, and Foreman Christian Hoell of Hook & Ladder […]

Firefighter Fatally Burned After Being Caught in Flashover While Searching For Trapped Children During Residential Fire – Chicago, Illinois – August 9, 1983 On August 9, 1983, Chicago Firefighter Sidney Brown of Engine 75 died in the line of duty after responding to a house fire on the South Side of the city where three […]

Firefighter Dies in Fall from Fire Escape Ladder – Chicago, Illinois – August 9, 2010 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2010-25 On August 9, 2010, Chicago Firefighter Christopher Wheatley of Truck 2 died from a fall while climbing a fire escape ladder. Crews were responding to an alarm at a four-story mixed occupancy structure. When […]

Four Firefighters Fatally Electrocuted While Operating Aerial Ladder During Fire at Chemical Company – Mercer Chemical Company Fire – Omaha, Nebraska – August 9, 1899 On August 9, 1899, Omaha Fire Lieutenant James Adams, Pipemen George Bendson and Charles E. Hopper of Engine Company 3, and Ladderman Otto Giseke of Truck Company 1 were electrocuted […]

Albany Fire Battalion Chief Wayne Brennan discovered gasoline spilling from the temporary fueling pump shortly before Tuesday’s explosion at the city’s Department of General Services headquarters that seriously injured him and a DGS supervisor, Police Chief Brendan Cox said Friday. According to Cox, Brennan had just finished fueling his vehicle when he noticed the leak. He then […]

Three Firefighters Injured as Braced Wood Frame Building Collapses and Strikes Tower Ladder Bucket – 4251 Third Avenue, The Bronx, New York – August 8, 1980 On August 8, 1980, three members of FDNY Tower Ladder 33 were injured when a burning abandoned three-story braced wood frame dwelling collapsed onto the bucket of their tower […]

Recreational Vehicle Fire Kills One Firefighter and Injures Two Other Firefighters – Huttig, Arkansas – August 8, 1999 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report F99-34 On August 8, 1999, Huttig Arkansas Fire Lieutenant Ronald Wade Meshell was critically burned while trying to control a recreational vehicle fire beside a single-family dwelling. Two other firefighters received […]

CLUTE — A Clute firefighter remained hospitalized Thursday after being injured while battling a mobile home fire in the 1700 block of East Kyle Road. The firefighter was still being evaluated Thursday afternoon, Clute Fire Chief Mike Doucet said. The nature and extend of the firefighter’s injuries are not being released. Firefighters were dispatched about 6:05 […]

The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) has a full-time career opportunity for a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist who will serve as a Firefighter Fatality Investigator. This position will be responsible for investigating traumatic injuries and line-of-duty deaths. Duty stations available for this position for candidate selection include NIOSH offices in Cincinnati, OH; Pittsburgh, […]

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Sarasota County Fire Lieutenant Clay Huber was discharged from Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Thursday, greeted not just by his family, but by dozens of first responders from across the Suncoast who lined the entrance to celebrate his miraculous recovery. Just days earlier, Huber suffered a sudden cardiac emergency on Sunday while […]

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kansas City, Kansas’ fire union is suing the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK over an alleged First Amendment violation that they believe has safety implications. The Kansas City, Kansas Professional Firefighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64, filed a federal lawsuit against the local government earlier this […]

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Sarasota County Fire Lieutenant Clay Huber was discharged from Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Thursday, greeted not just by his family, but by dozens of first responders from across the Suncoast who lined the entrance to celebrate his miraculous recovery. Just days earlier, Huber suffered a sudden cardiac emergency on Sunday while […]

Fourteen Persons Killed Including Assistant Fire Chief in Explosion of Dynamite Truck – The Roseburg Blast – Roseburg, Oregon – August 7, 1959 On August 7, 1959, a parked truck loaded with two tons of dynamite and over four tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire outside a supply store on the edge of downtown Roseburg, […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Fire Collapse of Warehouse – Herrmann Warehouse Fire – Goose Island, Chicago, Illinois – August 7, 1932 On August 7, 1932, Chicago Fire Lieutenant Victor Strubbe and Pipeman James Murphy of Engine Company 30 were killed in the line of duty when a four-story wall collapsed on them while they were […]