Trending Topics

Miss. FF killed in propane tank explosion

Firefighter Rodney Herndon, a 40-year fire service veteran who served at multiple departments and worked for a gas company, died when the propane tank he was filling exploded

117775398_2599220840317286_8340939565744061571_n.jpg

By Laura French

FLORENCE, Miss. — A Mississippi firefighter was killed Tuesday while working at his gas company job when the propane tank he was filling exploded.

Firefighter Rodney Herndon, a 40-year fire service veteran who served at multiple fire departments across two counties, was filling the tank as part of his job for Blossman Gas when the blast occurred, according to WLBT. Herndon was a firefighter at the Shannon Fire Department in Lee County, and the Pearl, Florence and Cleary Fire Departments in Rankin County. He was well-known throughout the Rankin County fire service community.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2599221486983888&id=1689033978002648&__cft__[0]=AZU9d4FJy8OR7bUrNYbZeL8fTRbJ2_NvLQvNFVLjqIQy79VCEKq6WZYKGPW6IUOCc_fftvE7Gscv-w1Jb3TdHxLNuXh5HvbD4B2gG_Feny8870-QuPIGWoxOuHn0yK89VYSo4GHKBZqHLCWqzPRBblHB4dt2QWF9CURuAHOVvSm4-w&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

“Yesterday, the Rankin County Fire Service lost a true treasure. Rodney Herndon was the true definition of selfless service,” the Star Volunteer Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. “He was a mentor, a devoted family man, a devout Christian, and a loving servant of his community.”

Chief Jim Palmer, of the Cleary Fire Department, where Herndon served as assistant chief, said he was meticulous and thorough when it came to safety and procedures, and was an excellent trainer for firefighters at the department.

Herndon also helped teach at the Florence High School Medical Science Academy, according to a Facebook post by the school.

https://www.facebook.com/florencemsa/photos/a.365701350285383/1440564306132410/?type=3

“He has served out Academy many times with the passion to teach future healthcare providers of the emergency response. He taught us how to see accidents in the eyes of the first on the scene,” the post read.

A memorial service will be held for Herndon on Saturday. He is survived by his wife Shelley and children Taylor and Abby.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU