Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
The FireRescue1 line-of-duty death page provides ongoing coverage and resources related to firefighter deaths that occur while on duty. The page compiles breaking news, incident updates and memorial coverage honoring firefighters who died during emergency response, training or other job-related duties, while helping the fire service stay informed and reflect on lessons that may help prevent future tragedies.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation supports the families of firefighters who die in the line of duty through resources, programs and remembrance efforts that honor fallen fire heroes and help their loved ones rebuild their lives. Learn more about how to support firefighter families through the NFFF.
The Adam Finseth Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students majoring in the Emergency Medicine Paramedic or Emergency Medicine Technology programs
The California Highway Patrol said Recruit Jacob Fuerte was in an earlier collision before exiting his vehicle and was not in a hit-and-run incident
Ekron Sergeant Richard Givan was known for his commitment to helping others
Deputy Fire Chief David Fiori, 59, had responded to an incident within 24 hours
The report cited failure to call mayday, use a thermal imager and be fully staffed as contributing factors to the line of duty deaths
Ted Drake, a fire supervisor at the Honor Conservation Camp, suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in a pack test for red card certification
After saving the swan, one firefighter got caught in the strong currents; the other leapt in to try to rescue his colleague
David Millett, 62, requested EMS to his home for difficulty breathing; he died when medics arrived
The firefighter was attempting to extinguish a grass fire at his residence when he suffered a cardiac arrest
Lt. Jeffrey Newland, 50, suffered an aortic dissection four hours after going off shift
Firefighter John Thomas, 56, was a 28-year veteran firefighter and EMT
Firefighter Charles Goff, 53, suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a multiple-vehicle crash
Volunteer firefighter Gene Kirchner was killed trying to rescue a man in a house fire; the chief outlined 14 safety recommendations
Mayor: ‘Words cannot repay the debt of gratitude that we owe these men and their loved ones.... They put themselves in harm’s way so that others may be safe.’
Officials said they believe the fierce flames may have severed the fallen heroes’ fire hose as they struggled to battle the raging blaze
Lt. Edward J. Walsh had nearly 30 years on the job; Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy was a six-year veteran
In radio conversations, firefighters were heard asking for help getting more water and being ordered out of the building
Assistant Chief Tom Stevens suffered a heart attack hours after returning home from an emergency response
Firefighter-medic Wayne Jeffers was dispatched on a run and never answered the call; his partner went to get him and found him unresponsive
Firefighter Joseph Bove, 53, collapsed at home after responding to a call of a gas leak earlier in the day
Gordon Routley unpacked 10 years of LODD statistics
A judge has set the bail for a man accused of starting a fire that killed three Pittsburgh firefighters in 1995 as he awaits a new trial
Salvatore Cassano outlines how FDNY improved its safety performance and what new programs it is rolling out
The best and brightest in the fire service will be looking at this and how to prevent LODDs
Bobby Mollere, 61, was taking part in a wildland fire training exercise when he reportedly collapsed
Captain Jeff Bayless, 51, collapsed after participating in a training activity; he was taken to a hospital around the corner from the training center where he died
Gov. Susana Martinez increased the benefit by $200,000 for the family of fallen firefighters
With the growing number of line of duty deaths this year, we asked FireRescue1 readers to share their thoughts on why this trend is rising; here are the most compelling responses
Firefighter Steven Joseph Knaus was discovered in his vehicle in the driveway of his home in cardiac arrest
Former Fire Chief Ross Hugger was found in his bed unresponsive while on-duty
Firefighter Kevin Bristol was found by his wife unresponsive and not breathing after he came home from a night shift
Firefighter Jerry Campbell became ill while preparing his unit to deploy to help fight and control a wildfire
Roger Dale Tome, 71, was part of the astronaut-rescue-and-recovery team at Kennedy Space Center’s Fire Department
