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.
Milledgeville Fire Chief Leland Alexander had been injured in a crash in 2023
Fayetteville Fire Department Battalion Chief John Bowen, 35, died six months after being diagnosed with colon cancer
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation service in Maryland will recognize 226 firefighters and their families
Officials credit fire departments for the fewer injuries and deaths by continuing to spread awareness in school visits and open houses
The nature and cause of the fatal injury are still to be determined
Chief Wylie and Lt. Duckworth recommended leaders check their policies and procedures in case a similar incident were to happen in their department
A total of 20 firefighting teams took part in the operation to control the blaze
Firefighter Israel Aidem Pereira, 40, was found unconscious with symptoms of cardiac arrest
Chief Bright: “No one person bears all responsibility” for firefighter Stanley Wilson’s death
Tony Grider, 41, was the most seriously injured of the four firefighters when a high-voltage line arced the aerial set up for an ice-bucket challenge
D&J Iron Works did not follow proper precautions when it set the March fire that killed Firefighter Kennedy and Lt. Walsh
Commanders failed to assess the fire, structure and available personnel; Stanley Wilson died in May 2013 after ordered back into a collapsing building
Capt. Rudolph Peter Witton was on his way to a house fire with crew members when he appeared to go into shock
Matthew Mantziou, 33, became disoriented after his low-air alarm sounded while searching for a woman in an apartment complex
Asst. Chief William Wiita, 47, was found unresponsive following a medical run
The 68-year-old volunteer firefighter Richard Choate was found in cardiac arrest in his vehicle following a fire alarm
A question posted recently on Quora asked, “How do firefighters view LODDs?”, Firefighter Zac Boyd gave his opinion on the topic below. Check it out and add your own thoughts in the comments.
The fire chief described Kevin Ollier as a passionate firefighter/medic who cared about his patients
Chief Garrison: “I want to emphasize that HFD did not make 200 mistakes on that day.”
Significant technical challenges with a new radio system fueled the disorganization where four firefighters died
The fire chief and his wife allegedly sent a letter falsely claiming the deceased was a firefighter
They have been out of service for three weeks since a semi struck and killed a 24-year-old firefighter on a fire scene
Fire Chief Dave Anderson, 66, was seriously injured when his water tender collided with a brush truck responding to a grass fire
Daniel Howard, 37, was killed after a wall collapsed on him and a fellow firefighter; he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest
Authorities suspect a medical problem led firefighter Darrell Parker to crash his pickup
Douglas Casson, 46, suffered a heart attack after completing fire department training that included non-routine physical activity
The chief said that from this point forward, his department will not work alongside moving traffic
Firefighter Matt O’Donnell said it was important for people to know Chief Jamie Middlebrook’s final moments were not filled with fear or sadness
Chief Jamie Middlebrook, 41, died of blunt-force trauma and a broken neck after a ceiling collapsed on him while battling a fire
Donald Bamber, 58, was transferring water between tanker trucks when he suffered a medical emergency
Jonathan French, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene; his mother, Lisa, a seven-year veteran, was airlifted to the hospital
Assistant Chief Jamie Middlebrook was trapped and killed after the roof of a business that was on fire partially collapsed
Chief Billy Glen Norris, Sr., 62, complained of pain in one of his shoulders while responding to a medical call