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.
Fire Chief Kalani Hao said Firefighter Jeffrey Fiala had been with the department for a year and a half
Remembering the three firefighters killed, many others injured, and recognizing the push for continued training and equipment
Jan. 23, 2005, marked the first time since 1918 that FDNY members had died in separate calls on the same day
More than a dozen firefighters lined up in the school hallway to salute Silus Sheldon on his first day of pre-kindergarten
Michael Duffy retired from the FDNY in 2002 after 20 years with the department
Clayton Ogden was the department’s most senior firefighter, as well as a recipient of the “Firefighter of the Year” award in 2014
Firefighter Brent Witham was killed in the line of duty in Montana when a tree fell on him while battling a wildfire
“These recipients have overcome tremendous loss to achieve exceptional personal and academic success,” ICMA-RC President and CEO, Bob Schultze said
Brent Witham, 29, was working with a wildland crew when he was hit by the falling tree
Jay Hinkie, 61, was doing traffic control at the scene of a crash when a vehicle struck him
Richard Leonard, 70, breathed in toxic plastic smoke for hours while operating a pumper in 1993
Firefighter Dan Pimenta was an avid bicyclist and raised money for the MS Society
Noah Pate was driving on the highway when he hit a garbage truck that had stopped to collect trash
Kevin Ramsey, 50, went into cardiac arrest after returning to the station
State Fire Marshall J. William Degnan ruled Chester Brickett’s 1954 death a line of duty death in 2017
The International City Management Association Retirement Corp. awarded Margaret Baik, daughter of Michel Baik, $1,000 to attend college in the fall
Allen Howard, 49, became ill the day after working in extreme conditions for several hours
Authorities said Trenton Martin Johnson was part of a 20-person crew fighting a forest fire
Lynden Fire Chief Robert Spinner died Friday of an apparent heart attack while on duty; it was the first LODD in the department’s history
Frank Echevarria, 52, worked for Cumberland County EMS and spent 30 years as both a firefighter and paramedic
Michael Freeman was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor two months before he died
Backstoppers, an organization that helps the spouses and children of fallen firefighters and officers, will give financial aid to the family of Capt. John Kemper
Capt. John Kemper, 59, was admitted to the hospital with what was believed to be a shoulder injury
Frank Anaya severely cut his leg and femoral artery while battling the brush fire
William “Bill” Jaros, a 12-year veteran, was on a conditioning hike when he became ill and collapsed
Clarence Wilburn II’s disease was thought to be a result of breathing the dust, smoke and ash at Ground Zero
Ronda Varnado, 54, was driving a water truck to a house fire when the truck tipped over
Training exercises carry the same risks as real fires and should be approached with even more caution
U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate Dakota Kyle Rigsby died aboard the USS Fitzgerald
The fire has charred more than 28 square miles in the same area devastated by a blaze that killed 19 firefighters four years ago
Kenny Rivera, a 14-year veteran, died after falling at least 20 feet into a ravine
The teens raised $1,760 for the families of Lahiri Garcia and Paul Besaw
Chief James Belot was inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighter Association Hall of Fame in 2013
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