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.
Brittany Hathaway, a firefighter/EMT with Cliff Gila Fire Department, Gila Regional EMS and Central Dispatch, collapsed while responding to a medical call
Conn-OSHA said no citations would be issued in the death of Plainville Firefighter Ray Moreau
A U.S. Coast Guard investigation found Newark firefighters searching for two missing colleagues aboard a burning cargo ship in 2023 never deployed available Pak-Tracker devices that could have helped locate them
An autopsy determined that Jan Tchoryk died of a heart attack, a natural cause
Jeremy C. Lundgren served with Dover AFB Fire & Emergency Services
Apopka Fire Chief Sean Wylam has been under pressure since Firefighter Austin Duran’s on-duty death last year
Broward County leaders unanimously agreed to consider a future budget item
Three other firefighters and two civilians were injured at the scene
Chicago Firefighter Jermaine Pelt was pulled from the home and transported, along with two other injured firefighters, to a local medical facility
Under the measure, public safety leaders could classify first responder suicides as LODDs, and victims’ families would be eligible for a $100,000 benefit
West Firefighter Edward Hykel was injured in the 2013 fertilizer plant explosion
Former Chief Jeff M. Pfeiffer served with the Deptford Fire Department for 50 years and was an organ donor
Lt. Terrence “Terry” Judge served with the Pembroke Fire Department for 33 years
Minton “Butch” Beach previously served as director of emergency services for Edgecombe County
Peter Dromms was North Syracuse’s longest serving member and had served as the department’s volunteer fire chief and in other leadership roles
Matthew Smith died from complications of an apparent medical incident that he suffered during the event, Bartow County Fire & Emergency Services said
Fort Johnson Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Steve “Bullwinkle” Haskin Harris, 56, served in the fire service for 40 years
“The very gear designed to protect firefighters, to keep us safe, is killing us,” said General President Edward Kelly, calling the NFPA standard that requires PFAS needless
Brady Fire/EMS members found William “Bill” Fore severely injured at the station; he was transported to a hospital where he died the next day
Community Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter-EMT Nahit Oral’s body will be flown back to his native country of Turkey
Collapse
We can’t eliminate collapse dangers, but we can mitigate some risk by studying building construction and rapid-fire events
“Our hearts are broken,” said both the VDOF and the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department, where Rocky S. Wood served as chief
“The response has been overwhelming from firefighters here locally, across the country and internationally,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown
As the ATF investigates, a fire research lab in Maryland is working to create a computer model showing how the fatal fire spread and grew
Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said firefighters from around the country and the world are flying in to honor Firefighter Jason Arno’s life and sacrifice
Jabez Bobo was also charged with first-degree arson for the blaze at the mobile home park where Flint Firefighter Ricky Hill Jr. collapsed at the scene
“I’m truly sorry,” Jacquelyn Walker said, apologizing to the dozens of Thomas Royds’ family members and friends in court
The NYFP was primarily tasked with protecting property, but its members also saved lives alongside the FDNY’s Bravest
The body of Jason Arno, 37, was 30 to 40 feet inside when there was a partial collapse, Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said
Erie Firefighter Michael Smith “was a hard-working firefighter always going above and beyond no matter what was asked of him,” IAFF Local 293 posted
Flint Firefighter Ricky Hill Jr., 49, suffered a possible heart attack when he collapsed at the scene of a mobile home park fire
Firefighters can incorporate tried-and-true military strategies to minimize line-of-duty deaths
“When Michael died, I was told his hose never got water in that awful fire,” said Kathy Crosby-Bell, mother of Firefighter Michael Kennedy
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