City And Colleagues Prepare To Pay Tribute To Fallen Firefighter

Monday August 11, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

A day after a firefighter died following the devastating propane explosion Sunday, colleagues and strangers alike gathered to remember District Chief Robert Leek.

"You can talk to any of those of us who were around headquarters here, and everybody has a story to tell of Bob and of Bob's sense of humour. He was a lot of fun to work with," described Division Chief David Sheen.

Funeral arrangements so far:

A visitation for District Chief Robert Leek will be held Wednesday and Thursday at DeMarco Funeral Home. The time will be decided late Tuesday.

Funeral Information
Friday August 15
11am
Prayer Palace
1111 Arrow Road

Story continued at http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25672.aspx

Illinois Firefighter Dies After Responding - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Illinois Firefighter Dies After Responding - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"Illinois firefighter POC Lt. Scott Mumm died Monday after responding to a fire call earlier that day. Mumm was 34 years old, and a 13 year veteran of the Mendota Fire Department. Mumm returned home around 8:15 p.m. from a fire call where his assignment was assisting with filling water tenders. He had gone to bed with intentions of reporting for work at his full-time job at midnight. When his wife tried to wake him, he did not respond. ALS efforts by members of the Mendota Fire Department and Mendota Community Hospital were unsuccessful."

Michigan Assistant Chief Collapses and Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Michigan Assistant Chief Collapses and Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The Charlevoix Township Fire Department in Charlevoix, Mich. is mourning the death of their assistant fire chief. Ralph Cross, 73, collapsed and died as he and other department members handed out fire prevention and education literature at a local K-Mart. It happened Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. His is believed to have died of a heart attack."

Pennsylvania Chief Dies Responding to Fire

Pennsylvania Chief Dies Responding to Fire - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The Elizabeth Borough fire chief died while headed to an overnight fire at a vacant bar. The flames started around 1:15 a.m. Wednesday at a bar on North Water Street at Lower Mill Street. Chief Lenny Bailey lived across the street and was on his way to the fire when he apparently had a heart attack. He was given CPR at the scene, but later died. The fire marshal is calling the fire suspicious. Bailey was also a councilman."

Burlington firefighter dies in contest

BURLINGTON -- An Ontario firefighter who died suddenly during an international fire extrication competition in Indianapolis, Ind., will receive a full fire department funeral.

Wayne Topping, 45, collapsed before a panel of judges after completing a scenario with his teammates from the Burlington Fire Department on Friday morning.

The married father of two sons and one stepson was originally from St. Thomas, but moved to Burlington several years ago.

Topping joined the Burlington Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1998 and became a full-time firefighter in 2000.

He was recognized twice with an award for best medic in his two years with the department's auto extrication team.

The funeral is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Arkansas Firefighter Dies From Fall

A volunteer firefighter from Arkansas was killed Friday morning from injuries sustained in a fall from a bridge.

Lt. Paul D. Baker, 39, of Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department, lost his footing while involved in an extrication of a patient from a single-vehicle crash on the I-30 bridge over the Saline River.

Baker fell about 40 feet, landing on the river bank.

Some rescue personnel from Benton and Turtle Creek ran to assist him, while others remained with the seriously injured, trapped patient, said Benton Fire Chief Ben Blankenship.

Ontario Deputy Chief Killed in Crash

Ontario Deputy Chief Killed in Crash - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Addington Highlands deputy fire chief was killed in a fatal collision Sunday afternoon responding to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 7.

William Salmond, 65, was driving a fire department tanker truck, heading eastbound on Flinton Road to respond to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 7 in Kaladar.

As the truck approached the intersection with Highway 41, Salmond was unable to stop the vehicle and it went through the intersection, struck a parked, unoccupied vehicle and rolled into the east ditch. Salmond was ejected from the vehicle.

North Carolina Chief Dies at Firehouse

North Carolina Chief Dies at Firehouse - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

SWEPSONVILLE, N.C. -- Funeral arrangements are set for Saturday for the deputy fire chief found dead in his bunk here Wednesday morning.

Jerry Donley, 45, had been engaged in a firefighting operation on Monday, and reported for duty on Tuesday as scheduled. He cleaned up equipment from the fire, and responded on EMS calls during his shift.

Ohio Firefighter Falls from Truck in Station, Dies

Ohio Firefighter Falls from Truck in Station, Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

MECHANICSBURG, Ohio-- Village firefighter Jon Trainer died Tuesday night from injuries he suffered from an accident at the fire station, 18 N. Main St. Trainer was 38. He fell off a fire truck parked inside the fire station, hit his head on the concrete floor and was killed, Chief Gary Shonkwiler said. Trainer slipped and fell about 9 p.m. Tuesday while he was laying a hose used to fight a house fire earlier in the evening back in place in a bed on top of the truck. Trainer, who was not wearing a helmet, fell 8 to 10 feet and suffered head injuries, Shonkwiler said.

Utah Fire Chief Killed in Crash

Utah Fire Chief Killed in Crash - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"SARATOGA SPRINGS - For a fire chief who died Thursday after his truck plunged from a cliff into Deer Creek Reservoir, colleagues here echoed a consistent refrain: A big man leaves a big void.

'He's irreplaceable on so many fronts,' city fire Capt. Tayna Kahn said of Chief Michael J. Penovich.

The 38-year-old chief was driving a fire department pickup truck south on U.S. Highway 189 after a meeting in Heber City about 10 a.m., when the pickup veered off an 80-foot embankment to the west. Police said the truck bounced off the ground and into the reservoir, where authorities found Penovich dead in the cab under 50 feet of water.

Firefighters gathered tearfully near the half-staff flag outside the Saratoga Springs fire station Thursday evening to eulogize the man they called 'Teddy Bear' for his immense stature and gentle demeanor.

'You heard his voice on the radio, and it just had a calming effect,' said Todd Butterfield, a firefighter in nearby Cedar Fort, where Penovich was chief for six years before taking the top post in Saratoga Springs in April 2006."

Crash Kills Indiana Volunteer Enroute to Call

Crash Kills Indiana Volunteer Enroute to Call - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"A volunteer firefighter was killed in a crash Monday afternoon shortly after being asked to help with a field fire, authorities said.

Dennise M. Leslie, 37, of Freedom was driving to the Coal City Volunteer Fire Department in a pickup truck when she swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle on Stockton Road in Owen County.

She lost control of her pickup truck, which rolled and struck a tree just west of Rey Cemetery Road, the Owen County Sheriff's Office said.

Leslie died at the crash site, authorities said.

Leslie was driving to the fire department because she was called to help battle a field fire on Egenolf Road, police said."

FDNY Firefighter Killed Battling Brooklyn Blaze

Editors' Note: I'm trying to find the proper balance of humor and sentiment for the blog. Unfortunately there has been a lot of terrible news lately that I can't seem to find the balance right now.

FDNY Firefighter Killed Battling Brooklyn Blaze - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The FDNY is mourning the loss of one of its own. A firefighter with just 20 months on the job, slipped on a ladder and fell to his death. Eyewitness News reporter Patricia Wu is live outside Ladder Company 146 in Greenpoint with the latest.

Daniel Pujdak died doing a job he loved to do. His mother said he love being a firefighter because he love to help people.
The fire scene remained lit into the night. Fire Marshalls, working to learn exactly what killed a fellow firefighter.

Meanwhile the men of Ladder Company 146 didn't want to talk. Outside their fire house in Greenpoint, their truck sat unmanned. Their flag, lowered to half mast.

Daniel Pujdak of Fresh Meadows was just 23. He had been a New York City firefighter for two years.

'While he was climbing down...he fell from the parapet and died from his injuries,' Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said."

Loss prompts grief, provokes questions

Thanks to Gary Spratt for this article (click on link below for more info).

This article really leads us all to the point of never forgetting to be diligent and not becoming unaware of our surroundings. There is no blame to lay here as the events are extraordinary. What is important is the fact that we should never take any action for granted. Stay safe.

Loss prompts grief, provokes questions:

"Charleston firefighters thought they knew what they were getting into when they were called to a blaze Monday at the Sofa Super Store. They had studied the sprawling furniture outlet and prepared a detailed plan of what they might encounter should a fire break out.

But their experience and preparation proved worthless when what seemed like a minor fire exploded through the building, overwhelming the crews caught in its path.

The nine firefighters who died in the blaze were killed by severe burns and smoke. Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten said Wednesday that autopsies determined that the collapsing roof may have trapped the firefighters, but it did not kill them."

Reports Say 9 Firefighters Killed in South Carolina Sofa Store Blaze

Reports Say 9 Firefighters Killed in South Carolina Sofa Store Blaze - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty: "CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Mayor Joe Riley confirmed on CNN this morning that nine firefighters were were killed Monday night in a massive blaze at a sofa store and warehouse here.

Most were killed he said, when a large set of shelves collapsed in the rear of the one-story building. He did not think there were sprinklers in the building. He also said the firefighters were looking for employees at the time and had no warning about the impending tragedy."

Wisconsin Firefighter Collapses During Training

Wisconsin Firefighter Collapses During Training - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"An autopsy is being conducted today to determine the cause of death of a Wisconsin firefighter who collapsed during a training drill Tuesday night.

David Allan Rufer, 42, of the Monroe Fire Department had been involved in regulator training just prior to collapsing, said Deputy Chief Lane Heins.

The volunteer/paid on call firefighters were on a 20 minute break after performing hose drills while wearing SCBAs. 'We were getting cleaned up, and getting ready for the next evolution when he collapsed,' Heins said.

Fellow firefighters immediately attempted to revive him. The effort was continued en route to Monroe Clinic where he was pronounced dead."

Boston Firefighter Dies After Shift

Boston Firefighter Dies After Shift - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"Boston Firefighter David A. Middleton died of an apparent heart attack at his home May 28 after returning from a shift, according to Chief William Meyer.

The 38-year-old member of Engine 51 in the Brighton section of the city went on back to back calls spanning from the night of May 27 into the morning of May 28.

Meyer said Middleton reportedly told other firefighter he wasn't feeling well during the second fire, but completed on the job.

Middleton returned home a approximately 8 a.m. and was found dead by fellow firefighters hours later.

'He was a good guy, he was a well liked by everyone,' Meyer said. 'He was in good shape and was great at his job. He will be missed.'

Middleton was a 10-year veteran and the father of two children."

Georgia Department Mourns Firefighter

Georgia Department Mourns Firefighter - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"On a day when the nation paused to commemorate those who fell in military service, Fulton County Fire Station No. 8 mourned the death of firefighter Felix Roberts, who also died in the line of duty.

Roberts, 41, tried to save a man inside a burning home Monday morning and became the first firefighter killed in the county department's 29-year history.

The resident also died in the blaze, and two other firefighters were injured."

N.Y. Deputy Chief Dies of Heart Attack

N.Y. Deputy Chief Dies of Heart Attack - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The United States Fire Administration has reported that Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Deputy Chief and Fire Police Captain Joseph Piazzi died of a heart attack May 16.

Piazzi, 76, had responded to several incidents of downed power lines and trees due to storms throughout day before returning home to assist a neighbor with cleanup.

The department had been dispatched to another call and he was preparing to respond when he began to experience chest pains and called 9-1-1 at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The department was dispatched to his residence where he was found unresponsive.

Piazzi was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead."

California Captain Collapses and Dies

California Captain Collapses and Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The Redding, Calif. Fire Department is mourning the loss of a dedicated fire captain.

Captain Ed Andrews, 53, died yesterday during training.

Battalion Chief Shane Lauderdale said Andrews was training for the upcoming summer fire season when he collapsed. He said fellow firefighters and EMS personnel immediately began CPR, and continued as he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Andrews had been with the department since 1984, and was promoted to captain in 1994."

Mississippi Firefighter Dies on the Job

Mississippi Firefighter Dies on the Job - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"Family, friends and coworkers are mourning the death of Desoto County's first black paramedic tonight.

It was two days of strenuous physical activity that took a fatal toll on Jeffrey Jeans.

Emergency Management Director Bobby Storey says it all started Thursday.

Jeans cut the sprawling lawn at the Eudora firehouse, then tested engine hose well into the evening.

Friday he picked up an engine that was being repaired in Memphis and put all the heavy hose back on the truck.

It appears all the work was more than his body could take.

Jeans' co-workers say he told them he felt hot Friday night before going into the kitchen. That's where they found him a short time later, lying on the floor in cardiac arrest.

Jeans was a 25-year-veteran of DeSoto County emergency services, starting as a volunteer back in 1982."