Tree fell on, killed member of wildland crew

By Kristen Reed
Orlando Sentinel

Photo Courtesy Volusia County Fire Services Firefighter John Curry leaves behind his wife and child. Curry was killed when a pine tree fell on him during training.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A Volusia County firefighter died Tuesday when a pine tree fell on him during a training exercise.

The freak accident claimed the life of 30-year-old John Curry, who is the first county firefighter to die in the line of duty. He leaves behind a wife and a child.

Curry, a member of the Firewalker Wildland Team, was working with power and chain saws when the tree fell about 11 a.m. and struck Curry in the head. County officials did not know Tuesday whether it was Curry or another firefighter who cut down the tree as part of ongoing training at the Volusia County Fire Training Center near Daytona Beach.

Firefighters tried to do what they could and called 911, but Curry died at the scene.

"I can't tell you how sad we are," county spokesman Dave Byron said. "Our hearts are very heavy today."

Family was gathered at Curry's DeLand home, but relatives said Tuesday afternoon they were not ready to speak about Curry's life or the accident. It is the first death at the training center, which has been open since 1988 and offers full-service fire training to firefighters across the Southeast. Nearly 15,000 firefighters receive training at the center each year.

A T. Dewitt Taylor High School graduate, Curry joined Volusia County Fire Services in January and soon became a "firewalker." That team specializes in responding to wildfires and receives extra training in fire behavior, strategy, tactics and safety specific to woodland fires. He was stationed in DeLeon Springs.

Firefighter Paramedic Ken Girlardo was one of Curry's basic training instructors when he joined the agency. He said firefighters were comforting Curry's family in this trying time, which is a reminder of how dangerous their jobs are.

"It could be any one of us," Girlardo said. "It's just the job we do."

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is conducting a standard death investigation, although no foul play is suspected. Volusia County Fire Services also is reviewing its training procedures. Byron said the State Fire Marshal's office may assist to try to prevent this type of accident from happening again. Byron said he expects Curry will receive a traditional firefighter funeral with a procession of fire trucks.

Copyright 2007 Sentinel Communications Co.