Recent Firefighter Fatalities
To date, 45 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2008 as a result of incidents that occurred so far in 2008. Please note, running totals of firefighter fatalities used on these initial notices do not necessarily reflect the number of firefighter fatalities used in totals for the (provisional) monthly year-to-date USFA firefighter fatality reports, or year-end (provisional) reports that are posted on the USFA website. To view the 2007 year-end provisional USFA firefighter fatality report, click here.
Firefighter fatalities in USFA reports are summarized by date/year-of-incident.
Initial notices of Firefighter On-Duty Deaths are posted online at the USFA website and may be viewed by clicking here.
and distributed via USFA listserve do not represent the final "on-duty" firefighter fatality determination by USFA for such reports, nor Line-of-Duty-Death (LODD) determination made by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation http://www.FireHero.org for names added each subsequent year to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, they are the beginning of a research process for each firefighter fatality reported so that such determinations can be made.
Name: Jeremy L. Jylka
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Status: Paid-on-Call
Years of Service: 1
Date of Incident: 04/29/2008
Time of Incident: 1700hrs
Date of Death: 04/29/2008
Fire Department: Pine City Fire Department
Address: 400 5th Street, SE, Pine City, MN 55063
Fire Department Chief: Tom Miller
Incident Description: Firefighter Jylka was responding to a wildland fire on board fire apparatus to a wildland fire when he suffered a medical emergency and went unresponsive. Another Firefighter began CPR and he was transported by ambulance to the local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Riley J. Terrebonne Jr.
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: Unk
Date of Incident: 04/20/2008
Time of Incident: 2100hrs
Date of Death: 04/21/2008
Fire Department: Springfield Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 2
Address: 23381 Terry Street, Springfield, LA 70462 (USNG: 15R YP 3557 6847)
Fire Department Chief: Brian A. Drury
Incident Description: Firefighter Terrebonne was assisting at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on an interstate highway bridge, when he was struck by another vehicle. Terrebonne passed away from his injuries the following day in the hospital.
Incident Location: Southbound Interstate - 55, on the "High Rise Bridge" over the river at Manchac (USNG: 15R YP 4936 5605)
Funeral Arrangements: Tentatively, visitation for Firefighter Terrebonne is scheduled for Friday, April 25 with full firefighter service and burial to take place on Saturday, April 26. (http://www.springfieldfirerescue.com/)
Name: Rick Morris
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 33
Date of Incident: 04/08/2008
Time of Incident: 2034hrs
Date of Death: 04/17/2008
Fire Department: Sedalia Fire Department
Address: 600 S. Hancock Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301
Fire Department Chief: Michael Ditzfeld
Incident Description: Firefighter Morris was seriously burned when he and other firefighters encountered rapid fire progress conditions while working a residential structure fire. Morris' lungs had been protected from the heat by his SCBA which remained intact and in-place, however, he succumbed to the other injuries after more than a week in a Columbia hospital.
Incident Location: 1209 S. Kentucky Ave (Grid: 15S VC 7993 8363)
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The International Association of Firefighters Local 823 established a "Rick Morris Recovery Fund" for the Morris family (fund name will remain the same) - any U.S. Bank branch in the USA, or mailed in care of U.S. Bank, 116 W. Fourth St., Sedalia, MO 65301, (800) 720-2265 (http://www.usbank.com).
Name: Terry DeVore
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: Unk
Date of Incident: 04/15/2008
Time of Incident: 1545hrs
Date of Death: 04/15/2008
Name: John Schwartz, Jr.
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: <1
Date of Incident: 04/15/2008
Time of Incident: 1545hrs
Date of Death: 04/15/2008
Fire Department: Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department
Address: PO Box 154, 401 Warner Ave., Olney Springs, CO 81062
Fire Department Chief: Pending
Incident Description: Chief DeVore and Firefighter Schwartz were killed in their fire apparatus while trying to cross a bridge over a drainage ditch about a mile west of Ordway, CO. Due to heavy smoke conditions they were apparently unaware that the fire had already damaged or collapsed the bridge.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Gert Marais
Rank: Pilot
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Status: Wildland Contract
Years of Service: Unk
Date of Incident: 04/15/2008
Time of Incident: 1820hrs
Date of Death: 04/15/2008
Fire Department: Colorado State Forest Service
Address: Campus #5060, Foothills Campus, Bldg. 1050, Fort Collins, CO 80523-5060
Fire Department Chief: NA
Incident Description: Gert Marais of Fort Benton, Montana, was killed when his Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) went down just after dropping a load of slurry onto portions of a wildfire on Fort Carson Downrange. The SEAT, operated by Areo Seat of Sterling, CO, was working under contract for the Colorado State Forest Service on a wildfire that had grown rapidly during the day, threatening buildings within and along the western flank of the Downrange training area. A mandatory evacuation was ordered for areas west of State Hwy 115 from Barrett Road (13S EC 0741 7123) north to Ft. Carson Gate 5 (13S EC 1576 8570). There were no controlled burns taking place on the Downrange; the cause of the fire is under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the SEAT accident.
ident Location: Fort Carson Downrange, 2.13km east of Colorado Hwy 115, mile marker 34 (USNG: 13S EC 1382 7809).
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Michael D. Crotty
Rank: Deputy Chief
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 6
Date of Incident: 4/08/2008
Time of Incident: 1545hrs
Date of Death: 4/08/2008
Fire Department: Lawrence Park Township Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 4230 Iroquois Avenue, Erie, PA 16511
Fire Department Chief: Daniel Mentley
Incident Description: Deputy Chief Michael D. Crotty was attending an industrial fire at Port Erie Plastics, Harborcreek Township. Deputy Chief Crotty was commanding other firefighters at the scene when a malfunction of the aerial ladder occurred. He was injured and transported to Hamot Medical Center at 1656hrs where he passed away.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Update on funeral arrangements for Captain Robin Broxtermen and Firefighter Brian Schira:
VISITATION: Tuesday April 8 at the GWEN MOONEY FUNERAL HOME located at 4521 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232. Hours will be from 15:00 - 20:00. (For the Cinti folks this is also known as the Spring Grove Cemetery)
FUNERAL: Wednesday April 9 starting at the ST PETER IN CHAINS CATHEDRAL located at 325 West 8th Street· Cincinnati, OH 45202 · Tel: 513.421.5354. This will start at 11:00.
A procession will follow the services at St Peter In Chains, taking both firefighters back to and through the Colerain Twp area as to allow the community a chance to pay its respects, prior to the internment service at the same location as the visitation on Spring Grove Ave.
At the conclusion of the fire service funeral, the families will each hold private burial services.
Information on staging and apparatus placement, etc will be forthcoming very soon and when its known, we will get that out to you.
Name: Robin Broxterman
Rank: Fire Captain
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Status: Career
Years of Service: 17
Date of Incident: 04/04/2008
Time of Incident: 0610hrs
Date of Death: 04/04/2008
Name: Brian Schira
Rank: Firefighter-EMT
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Status: Part-Time (Paid)
Years of Service: Pending
Date of Incident: 04/04/2008
Time of Incident: 0610hrs
Date of Death: 04/04/2008
Fire Department: Colerain Township Department of Fire & EMS
Address: 3251 Springdale RD., Cincinnati, OH 45251
Fire Department Chief: G. Bruce Smith
Incident Description: Fire Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira became trapped in the basement of a residential structure fire when the first floor collapsed. Both Broxterman and Schira of Colerain Township Engine Company 102 passed away from injuries when fire conditions prevented a successful rescue.
The cause of the fire and the structural collapse remain under investigation. The occupants of the residence escaped the fire without injury.
Incident Location: 5708 Squirrelsnest Ln., Cincinnati, OH 45252 (USNG: 16S GJ 0459 5230)
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Eric Speed
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 12
Date of Incident: 03/28/2008
Time of Incident: 0930hrs
Date of Death: 03/28/2008
Fire Department: Caddo Parish Fire District Two
Address: 4305 North Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport, LA 71107
Fire Department Chief: Harry L. Lowery
Incident Description: Firefighter Eric Speed was operating a tanker enroute to a mutual aid residential structure fire call in a neighboring fire district, when the apparatus left the road way, turning over and striking several trees.
The cab of the apparatus was severely damaged by the trees causing Speed to be severely injured. Firefighter Speed was airlifted to the hospital but was pronounced on arrival.
The investigation continues regarding the causes of the accident, such as load factors, traveling speed, and mechanical problems. Reports indicate that unfamiliarity with the particular roadway the apparatus was traveling and the sharp ninety-degree turn where the accident took place were factors in the accident.
Incident Location:
(1) Mobile home fire, 6200 block of Green Meadow Road (USNG: 15S VS 1729 1138).
(2) Tanker rollover, Shepherd Road (15S VS 2101 0425).
Funeral Arrangements: 04/05/2008, details pending.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Contributions to FF Speed's family can be made in his name at the Shreveport Firefighters Credit Union, 6015 Hearne Ave. Shreveport, LA 71108, Phone: (318) 636.5600; or 2207 California Drive, Suite 1A. Bossier City, LA 71111, (318) 746-1900 (www.profirefighterscu.com).
Name: Brent A. Lovrien
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 10
Date of Incident: 03/26/2008
Time of Incident: 1357hrs
Date of Death: 03/26/2008
Fire Department: Los Angeles Fire Department
Address: 200 N Main ST, Room 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Grid: 11S LT 8532 6874)
Fire Department Chief: Douglas Barry
Fire Department Website: http://lafd.org/
Incident Description:
Los Angeles Firefighters were summoned to investigate smoke in the 8800 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard.
At approximately 1440hrs, an explosion occurred at a nearby building, causing injury to two male Firefighters and one civilian.
Firefighter Brent A. Lovrien, assigned to the 'A' Platoon at Fire Station 95 since October 2005, died shortly after arrival at the Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center, Marina Campus.
Engineer Anthony J. Guzman, age 48, an 18 year veteran of the LAFD assigned to the 'A' Platoon at Fire Station 95 since February 2002, suffered multiple fractures and facial trauma. He was transported to the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he remains in serious but stable condition following surgery.
Preliminary reports indicate the civilian was treated at the scene and released.
As dictated by Fire Department policy, a formal and detailed multi-agency investigation is underway to determine the exact nature of the explosion, as well as the precise cause and manner of Firefighter Lovrien's death.
The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss.
The latest information about this incident, as well as details regarding memorial services will be posted @ http://lafd.blogspot.com/
Incident Location: 8800 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard (USNG: 11S LT 710 583)
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending, updates @ http://lafd.blogspot.com/.
Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association, to learn more, visit: LAFRA.ORG or call 1-800-244-3439
Name: John Delaney
Rank: Captain
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 23
Date of Incident: 03/17/2008
Time of Incident: 1420hrs
Date of Death: 03/17/2008
Fire Department: Mesa Fire Department
Address: PO Box 1466, 40 N Center ST, Suite 115, Mesa, AZ 85201
Fire Department Chief: Harry Beck
Incident Description: Captain Delaney passed away at the hospital a short time after suffering a cardiac arrest while in his office at the fire department.
Incident Location: 40 N Center ST, Mesa, AZ 85201
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Donald "Lee" Grubor
Rank: Deputy Fire Chief
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 21
Date of Incident: 03/21/2008
Time of Incident: 2116hrs
Date of Death: 03/22/2008
Fire Department: Lewistown Fire Protection District
Address: PO Box 311, Lewistown, IL 61542
Fire Department Chief: John Spotlow
Incident Description: Deputy Chief Lee Grubor fell ill at his residence approximately an hour after clearing the scene (0032hrs) of an earlier mutual aid structure fire. Grubor was treated and transported to the hospital, but passed away at 0252hrs from a cause still to be determined.
Funeral Arrangements: Visitation, 03/25/2008, Henry-Lange Memorial Home (203 N Illinois St), 1600-1900hrs. The funeral will be held at the Lewistown United Methodist Church (204 W. Washington Ave. ), 03/26/2008 at 1030hrs with the Rev. Bill Bunnage officiating. Burial will be in Waterford Cemetery in rural Lewistown.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewistown Rescue Squad (PO Box 311, Lewistown, IL 61542), or any charity of the donor's choice.
Name: Terrance Crockett
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 8
Date of Incident: 03/17/2008
Time of Incident: 1230hrs
Date of Death: 03/17/2008
Fire Department: Kansas City Fire Department
Address: 635 Woodland AVE., STE 2100, Kansas City, MO 64106
Fire Department Chief: Richard Dyer
Incident Description: Shortly after he and other members of the fire department had brought a fire in a vacant residential structure under control, Firefighter Crockett, for a cause still to be determined, collapsed while on a hose line working overhaul.
Other firefighters began emergency medical procedures on Firefighter Crockett at the scene and an ambulance transported him to a nearby hospital. All attempts to revive Crockett, however, were unsuccessful.
Press reports indicate that the Kansas City police are assisting the Fire Department in investigating the incident as a "fire of very suspicious circumstances."
Incident Location: 5500 block of Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO (USNG: 15S UD 6538 2087)
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Name: Walter William Michl
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 76
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 2
Date of Incident: 03/16/2008
Time of Incident: 0925hrs
Date of Death: 03/16/2008
Fire Department: Roanoke - Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department
Address: 790 Lizard Creek Road, Littleton, NC 27850
Fire Department Chief: Stewart Garnett
Incident Description: Roanoke - Wildwood Fire Department was dispatched for a reported structure fire and Firefighter Michl, when his pager sounded, prepared to leave his residence in response. Michl's wife discovered him shortly thereafter having passed away in the kitchen of his residence from a cause not yet reported.
Funeral Arrangements: 03/18/2008
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Roanoke - Wildwood Fire Department, 790 Lizard Creek Road, Littleton, NC 27850
