FireFightingLinks.com December 2003 News Archive

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News Archive» December 2003
12/30/03 Line of Duty Death - Mansfield, LA

Our condolences to the Brown family and the DeSoto Fire District #8 of Mansfield, Lousiana. FireFighter and Paramedic Shane Brown, 25, an 8 year veteran of the DeSoto Fire District #8 died Wednesday December 24, 2003. Shane was responding to an emergency in a medical response pickup truck when he was broadsided by a Kansas City Southern freight train. The truck was dragged 60 feet down the tracks and erupted in flames.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Shane Brown Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/29/03 Line of Duty Death - Hamilton, IA

Our condolences to the Speckelberg family and the Lovilia Fire and Rescue of Iowa. FireFighter/EMT Dixie Speckelberg, 60, a veteran with the Lovilia Fire and Rescue of Hamilton, Iowa died Thursday December 18, 2003. Dixie was renedering aid to victims of a motor vehicle accident when she started having chest pains. She collapsed at the scene and was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Dixie Speckelberg Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/27/03 Christmas Wishes

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. My favorite gift this holiday season was knowing that my sister-in-law Nancy from Florida, who is fighting cancer, was able to make it home from the hospital just before midnight Christmas Eve. I only wish my family could have been there to enjoy Christmas with hers. May everyone have good luck in the New Year. To all my readers, thank you for your devotion.

12/22/03 Attention WFD Members

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of John Varanelli, father of Waterbury Fire Department Lieutenant Tom Varanelli, assigned to Engine 10 B Shift. Calling hours for John will be held today Monday December 22, 2003 4-8PM at Colasanto Funeral Home, 932 Bank Street in Waterbury. A funeral mass will be held for John on Tuesday December 23, 2003 9AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church followed by a burial at Calvary Cemetery.

12/20/03 Line of Duty Death - Baltimore County, MD

Our condolences to the Brown family and the Baltimore County Fire Department of Maryland. Fire Specialist Thomas Brown, 56, a 28 year veteran of the Baltimore County Fire Department died Thursday December 18, 2003. Thomas died of a heart attack in his Perry Hall home within hours of returning from a night shift at Dundalk Station 6-C.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Thomas Brown Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/19/03 Attention WFD Members

This morning I sat down with a 2004 calendar and figured out the Waterbury Fire Department Local 1339 2004 Schedule. It is not official but you can view the schedule on the WFD Schedule page. I will check it against the official calendars when they are distributed. Please contact me if you spot any errors.

12/18/03 Line of Duty Death - Congers, NY

Our condolences to the Wohl family and the Congers Volunteer Fire Department of New York. FireFighter George Wohl, 59, a 34 year veteran and Former Vice President of the Congers Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday December 13, 2003. George was working on a ladder at his home when he fell after receiving a fire dispatch. His wife alerted emergency services and he was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla where he later died.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the George Wohl Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/18/03 Line of Duty Death - Warsaw, IL

Our condolences to the Dicks family and the Warsaw Volunteer Fire Department of Illinois. FireFighter Todd Dicks, 37, a 4 year veteran of the Warsaw Volunteer Fire Department died Wednesday December 3, 2003. Todd suffered an apparent heart attack while responding to the scene of a motor vehicle accident. He was transported to Keokuk Area Hospital where he died a short time later.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Todd Dicks Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/17/03 Line of Duty Death - FDNY, NY

Our condolences to the Brick family and the Fire Department of New York City. FireFighter Thomas Brick, 30, a 2 year veteran of FDNY Ladder Company 36 died Tuesday December 16, 2003. Thomas was performing search and rescue at a four alarm mattress and furniture warehouse fire in Inwood when a burning stack of mattresses fell on him. He was badly burned and in cardiac arrest when his brothers pulled him from the building. He was rushed to New York Presbyterian Medical Center where doctors were unable to resuscitate him. Three other firefighters were injured in the blaze.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Thomas Brick Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/17/03 Attention WFD Members

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Retired Waterbury FireFighter David Smith. Calling hours were held for David on Sunday December 14, 2003 3-6PM at Murphy Funeral Home in Waterbury. A funeral was held for David on Monday December 15, 2003 10:30AM at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church followed by a burial with military honors at Calvary Cemetery.

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Retired Fire Driver Richard McDaniel. Richard served his country with the Marine Corp in the Vietnam war. He was the first black driver on the Waterbury Fire Department, serving for 29 years, retiring in 1998. Calling hours for Richard were held on Wednesday December 17, 2003 9-10:30AM at Mount Olive A.M.E. Zion Church in Waterbury. A funeral with Military Honors will be held for Richard on Wednesday December 17, 2003 11AM at the church followed by a burial at New Pine Grove Cemetery.

12/11/03 Attention WFD Members

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of John Seman, grandfather of Waterbury Fire Department FireFighter John Seman, assigned to Truck 3 C Shift. Calling hours for John will be held on Friday December 12, 2003 11AM at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, Connecticut.

12/10/03 Line of Duty Death - Long Branch, NJ

Our condolences to the Fitzpatrick family, the Newark Fire Department and Long Branch Fire Department of New Jersey. FireFighter/Training Officer Ronald Fitzpatrick, 68, a 27 year retired veteran of the Newark Fire Department Truck 3, and a member of the Long Branch Fire Department Phil Daly Hose Company died Saturday December 6, 2003. Ronald died of an apparent heart attack at the scene of an abandoned commercial structure fire in Long Branch.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Robert Fitzpatrick Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/10/03 Line of Duty Death - Prince George's County, MD

Our condolences to the Hammett family and the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department of Maryland. FireFighter/EMT Nadar Hammett, 29, a 3 year veteran of the Prince George's County Fire/ EMS Department assigned to the Berwyn Heights Fire Station died Monday December 1, 2003. Nadar was returning home from a required paramedic class when his personal vehicle, a Ford Escort, was struck by a Ford Expedition, veering off he Baltimore-Washington Parkway, rolling over and hitting a tree. He was prounced dead at the scene.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Nadar Hammett Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/6/03 Line of Duty Death - West Whiteland, PA

Our condolences to the Diorio family and the West Whiteland Fire Company of Exton, Pennsylvania. Fire Police Lieutenant Thomas Diorio, 70, an 11 year veteran of the West Whiteland Fire Company died Sunday November 30, 2003. Thomas died of an apparent heart attack while directing traffic at the scene of townhouse structure fire. He was transported to a local hospital but rescuers were unable to revive him.

For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Thomas Diorio Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

12/5/03 Line of Duty Death - Lancaster, MA

Our condolences to the McNamara family and the Lancaster Fire Department of Massachusets. FireFighter Martin McNamara, 31, a 3 year veteran of the Lancaster Fire Department died Saturday November 29, 2003. Martin was operating in the basement of a farmhouse structure fire when firefighters were driven out of the structure by exploding aerosol cans. During roll call Martin was unaccounted for. His brothers returned but were able to find only his helmet before being driven back by heavy fire. His body was recovered later that day. Three other firefighters were injured during the blaze.