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Articles by Firefighter death
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Ukraine airstrikes hit two big Russian cities KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian strikes disrupted power and heating to two major Russian cities near the Ukrainian border, local Russian officials reported Sunday. A drone strike temporarily caused blackouts in Voronezh, while a missile strike seriously damaged power systems in Belgorod.
Maine fire chief dies while attending memorial for fallen firefighter
Christopher Burns Bangor Daily News, Maine Oxford’s fire chief died Sunday after he suffered a medical event while in Portland for a memorial for a fallen firefighter. Gary Sacco, 63, was rushed to Maine Medical Center about 10 a.m., the Oxford Fire and Rescue Department announced Sunday afternoon on a post to it Facebook page. A Maine Medical Center spokesman confirmed to the Portland Press Herald that Sacco was pronounced dead in the emergency room. “Chief Sacco was a consummate professional.
Training, development, performance: Take action
Chief Marc Bashoor The day began like any other for a North Carolina firefighter. The 20-year-old volunteer would make one last run this day, as part of the first-due engine company responding to a typical strip-mall fire. The recently released NIOSH report describes the firefighter’s last minutes in chilling detail; running low on air, becoming disoriented, getting disconnected from his crew and ultimately succumbing to the fire he was there to extinguish.
Pa. volunteer fire chief dies in industrial site explosion | Fire Chief
BARBOUR COUNTY, W.Va. — A volunteer fire chief died in an explosion while working a contract job at an industrial site. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that McDonald (Pa.) Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Albertini, 53, was depressurizing a tank at the Midland Resources Recovery industrial site when the tank exploded, killing him and injuring a co-worker. Officials are unsure what was inside the tank or why it exploded.
Officials: NJ fire chief died from self-inflicted gunshot wound | Fire Chief
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — A fire chief died Saturday at his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials. NJ.com reported that Perth Amboy Fire Department Chief Abraham Pitre, 44, had been with the department for 23 years.
Ind. battalion chief dies while visiting family | Fire Chief
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Kevin Kolber, a battalion chief and 30-year veteran of the South Bend Fire Department, has died. Kolber, 58, of South Bend, died on Tuesday while visiting family. He was appointed to the department on Jan. 21, 1987, and spent his entire career at the central fire station. In the early 1990s, Kolber served as captain on Truck 1, and was promoted to battalion chief in 2003.
Former Pa. fire chief was 'man of character' | Fire Chief
YOUNGWOOD, Pa. — Michael Pacelli Jr. stood up his future wife for much of their first date. Luckily, he had a good excuse: he had to take a child to the hospital by ambulance. "A policeman, Billy Ott from Youngwood, picked me up and took me to the firemen's banquet, and he sat with me until Michael got there," Mr. Pacelli's wife, Jean, said. Michael A. Pacelli Jr. of Youngwood died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Excela Westmoreland Hospital after a heart attack. He was 73. Mr. Pacelli was born Jan.
Community mourns death of Ark. fire chief | Fire Chief
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Firefighters are mourning the death of a fire chief who died after complications from heart surgery. Little Rock Fire Chief Jim Murphy, 65, came out of retirement to serve as the department’s chief for the past two and a half years. “With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of our chief,” the department wrote on Facebook.
Well-known retired Calif. fire chief dies | Fire Chief
Lake Arrowhead Fire Chief Ray Ceniceros, 88, died after suffering respiratory failure. Although Chief Ceniceros retired in 1979, many continued to call him “Chief.” “A lot of people still called him Chief,” Chief Ceniceros’ son, Gil, said. “It just stuck with him.” Chief Ceniceros joined the fire service in 1945 as a 17-year-old hotshot for the U.S. Forest Service. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, reported The Sun.
Former Iowa fire chief dies after battle with cancer | Fire Chief
LONG GROVE, Iowa — Colleagues are mourning the death of a former fire chief who lost his year-long battle with cancer. Long Grove Volunteer Fire Chief Kevin Brix died over the weekend after battling stage four atypical carcinoid cancer. Chief Brix also served as an EMT for 18 years, reported KWQC. “I know his laugh was just infectious and just a fun guy to be around,” Linda Frederiksen, a colleague of Chief Brix’s at Medic EMS, said.
LODD: Wyo. fire chief dies during ice abatement operations | Fire Chief
GREYBULL, Wyo. — A fire chief died in the line of duty Thursday. Greybull Fire Chief Paul Murdoch, 53, died during an ice abatement operation, reported the Wyoming Local Assistance State Team. He leaves behind his wife and three children. We will update this story when more information is available.
LODD: Miss. fire chief dies while battling brush fire | Fire Chief
Bassfield Volunteer Fire Chief Bill Matthews, 73, was discovered slumped over the steering wheel of a fire truck; officials said firefighters pulled the chief from the vehicle to perform CPR. A medical examiner said it is likely he suffered a massive heart attack. “He was a dedicated member of the Bassfield community and will be truly missed,” the state fire marshal posted on Facebook. Chief Matthews was well-known throughout the community and was a role model to many.
Retired longtime Ky. fire chief dies | Fire Chief
FORT MITCHELL, Ky. — Community members and colleagues mourned the death of a longtime fire chief, who died Tuesday. Retired Fort Mitchell Fire Chief Paul Rademheimer, 86, joined the department in 1946 and served for 34 years. He also served as president of the Kentucky Firefighters Association in 1980, reported the River City News. “Chief Radenheimer dedicated many years of service to the citizens of Fort Mitchell and to fire department.
Ky. assistant fire chief dies after battle with cancer | Fire Chief
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Colleagues are mourning the death of a veteran firefighter and assistant fire chief who died Tuesday from cancer. Danny Slusher joined the Hurricane Creek Fire Department in 1995; colleagues said he will be difficult to replace. He served as the department’s assistant fire chief. “You know, that takes a lot away from you and you just can’t up and replace it overnight, you know, it takes a little while to build up confidence,” Island Creek Fire Chief Randy Courtney told WYMT.
Fallen Ala. fire chief escorted home | Fire Chief
CALHOUN COUNTY, Ala. — On most evenings, U.S. 78 would be packed with traffic, but on Monday that traffic gave way to dozens of law enforcement vehicles escorting Tracy Sanders home. Sanders, 44, the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire chief, was killed Friday when a tractor-trailer hit her fire department pickup truck from behind at the intersection of Alabama 77 and Mudd Street in Ohatchee. “She wanted to save the world,” Sanders’ husband, Randall Sanders, said by phone Monday.
LODD: Ala. volunteer fire chief killed in 3-vehicle crash | Fire Chief
OHATCHEE, Ala. — Tracy Sanders, chief of the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department, was killed Friday in a three-vehicle wreck in Ohatchee, according to officials. The wreck occurred around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Mudd Street and Alabama 77, State Trooper Chuck Daniel wrote in an email. Sanders, 44, was traveling north on Alabama 77 and yielding to southbound traffic to turn left when she was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer, Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said by phone.
Fallen Maine fire chief escorted home | Fire Chief
MEXICO, Maine — Firefighters and police officers across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine gathered to escort the ashes of a longtime fire chief back to his hometown. Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell’s ashes were brought back from Boston Thursday, reported WCSH. First responders saluted the vehicle as it passed through their towns. Chief Wentzell was diagnosed with lung cancer October 2016; he served as chief for 25 years.
Wis. fire chief remembered as ‘heart and soul’ of department | Fire Chief
ELDORADO, Wis. — Community members and colleagues are mourning the unexpected death of a fire chief who was found dead inside a fire station Tuesday morning. Eldorado Assistant Fire Chief Rodney “Tiny” Menne, 53, was discovered by a firefighter and plow driver who arrived at the station before their shift. Chief Menne was well-known throughout the community and dedicated 30 years to the department, reported WBAY. “He was a funny guy. He liked to have fun,” Capt. Jerry Borski said.
Former Wis. fire chief found dead inside fire station | Fire Chief
By FireRescue1 Staff ELDORADO, Wis. — A former fire chief was found dead inside a fire station Tuesday morning. Former Eldorado Assistant Fire Chief Rodney “Tiny” Menne was discovered by a firefighter and plow driver who arrived early at the station for their shift, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter. Officials said Menne’s death is not suspicious; his cause of death has not yet been determined. Menne served the department for 30 years. “We all knew him,” Sgt.
Community mourns death of retired NY fire chief | Fire Chief
GREENPORT, N.Y. — No one knew Greenport better than Bob White. “You could ask him who owned the third house on the left on Second Street way back when,” his daughter, Marilyn Corwin of Greenport, said. “He knew the history.” White, one of Greenport’s most active community leaders and a former chief of its fire department, died at home Dec. 28 after suffering complications from congestive heart failure, his daughter said. He was 90.
Longtime Maine fire chief dies of cancer | Fire Chief
MEXICO, Maine — Colleagues gathered at the Mexico fire station Sunday to mourn the death of a fire chief. Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell died Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer in October 2016, reported the Sun Journal. He served as chief for 25 years. After receiving news of Chief Wentzell’s death, firefighters gathered at the station to share stories and memories. “He wasn’t just a fire chief, especially to me,” firefighter Mike Chartier said. “He was like another father.
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