Cohnway Matthew Johnson

At 5:45 a.m., the Clinton Fire Department’s on-duty crew responded to a reported smoldering fire in a silo storage bin at Archer-Daniels-Midland loading facility. At 7:00 a.m., the scene was handed off to the next crew coming on-duty which included Lieutenant Eric Hosette. Nearly two hours later at 8:45 a.m., Hosette was injured in an explosion at the scene. Hosette was transported to Mercy Medical Center where, despite all efforts, he passed away. A second firefighter was critically injured during the explosion but survived.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hosette family. 

Firefighter Steven Pollard arrived with the Fire Department of New York City’s Ladder Co. 170 at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the Belt Parkway, just east of Flatbush Avenue. As he was assisting at the scene, Pollard fell through a gap dividing the eastbound and westbound lanes of an overpass bridge and plummeted 52 feet to the ground. Pollard was transported to Kings County Hospital where he passed away a short time later from the critical injuries he sustained in the fall.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pollard family.

District Chief (Station 14) Jason Byrd suffered an apparent heart attack while at the scene of a residential structure fire. Within 15 seconds of the medical emergency, responders administered advanced life support measures to Byrd and then transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Byrd family.  

On 02/19/19, Firefighter Brenden Pierce started his shift at the Palmerdale Fire District, Station 3. During this shift at approximately 12:30 a.m. on 02/20/2019, Pierce suffered a medical emergency after responding to a weather-related call. He was immediately transported to the Grandview Medical Center where he was declared brain dead on 02/20/2019. Because Pierce was an organ donor, his organs were transplanted to multiple recipients over the next few days. Pierce’s official date of death was 02/23/2019.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pierce family. 

On 02/26/2019, Firefighter Thomas Nye helped extinguish a residential chimney fire and then returned home. He collapsed early the next morning on 02/27/2019 after suffering an apparent cardiac incident. Nye was transported to Tobey Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nye family. 

Captain Joel Barnes was one of five firefighters who went into a three-story apartment building to fight a four-alarm fire. While inside the structure, conditions rapidly worsened. Three of the firefighters were able to escape. Barnes and one other firefighter became trapped in a room of a third-floor apartment. While waiting to be rescued, Barnes reportedly used his body to shield the other firefighter from the intense fire. Upon rescue, Barnes was unresponsive, and EMTs and other colleagues immediately performed life-saving measures on him. Barnes was then transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital where he was pronounced deceased from the injuries he sustained. The four other firefighters were treated and released by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barnes family. 

While at the scene of a residential structure fire, Captain Jacob Ringering and three additional firefighters were injured when a portion of the structure collapsed as they attacked the fire. Ringering was taken to the hospital where he passed away from the injuries he sustained. One of the additional firefighters was flown by helicopter to the hospital where he is in stable condition. The two remaining firefighters were treated and released.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ringering family. 

Firefighter Michael Bernstein suffered a medical emergency while on-duty at Engine 78 at Philadelphia International Airport. Bernstein was transported to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital where he passed away. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bernstein family. 

While conducting aerial ignition operations on a prescribed burn in the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas, Captain Daniel Laird’s helicopter went down. Laird passed away from the injuries he sustained in the crash. Other crew members sustained non-life-threatening injuries.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Laird family. 

Firefighter/Paramedic James “Woody” Woodman was a member of Recruit Class #15 at the Connecticut State Fire Academy. Only two days after being out of the academy, on October 5, 1999, Woodman was part of an ambulance crew transporting a child who had been struck by a vehicle to the Yale-New Haven Hospital. As they neared the hospital, the ambulance was broadsided by a bus and rolled over multiple times. Woodman sustained a traumatic brain injury that resulted in his living in a long-term care facility until his death on March 29, 2019. The child who was being transported and other crew members of the ambulance were seriously injured but have all made complete recoveries.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Woodman family. 

John "Jack" Leming, 78 of Cape May Point, New Jersey 04-15-19

Firefighter John Leming attended a drill on 4/15/2019 at the fire station at approximately 7:00 pm. At the conclusion of the drill, he returned home. During the night, he became ill. His wife called 911 and EMS responded. During transport to a local hospital, Leming went into cardiac arrest and life saving measures were not successful. Leming was pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival at the hospital.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Leming family.

On April 17, 2019, Argyle Volunteer Fire Department was called to an active wildland fire that was endangering structures. While responding as a passenger in the department’s compressed air foam truck, Firefighter Dwain Hudson experienced a medical emergency. Firefighters and EMS personnel immediately provided emergency medical aid to Hudson. He was transported to Custer Regional Hospital where resuscitation efforts continued but were not successful. Hudson was pronounced deceased at the hospital.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hudson family.

On April 21, 2019, Driver/Engineer Michael Watkins was responding to a brush fire when he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he passed away on April 24, 2019.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Watkins family. 

On April 14, 2019, while on-duty at the fire station, Firefighter/EMT Brad Gregrich complained to his co-worker that he wasn’t feeling well, with a headache and feeling tired. The next morning, returning home after his shift, Firefighter/EMT Gregrich was still ill.  His wife transported him to the hospital.  The hospital then released him after an evaluation.  He returned home but became unresponsive and 9-1-1 was called. He was rushed back to the hospital where he suffered a major stroke and never regained consciousness.  He passed away at the hospital on Saturday, April 27, 2019.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gregrich family. 

Firefighter Kody Vanfossan responded to a multi-alarm two-story vacant structure fire in Christopher, Illinois. Upon arrival, heavy smoke could be seen coming out of the top floor of the structure. Vanfossan, along with a second firefighter, began an interior attack on the fire. An additional firefighter later called for the two firefighters to exit the building. As the two firefighters started down steps in the rear of the building, the steps collapsed. While the second firefighter was able to make it out of the building, a Mayday was issued for Vanfossan. Vanfossan was recovered from the building and placed into an ambulance where he was pronounced deceased. Investigation into the incident continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vanfossan family. 

On May 7, 2019, Lieutenant Barry Boulton, Sr., collapsed after completion of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) drill.  Resuscitation efforts were immediately rendered to Boulton who was then rushed to the Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, FL, where he passed away from cardiac arrest.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Boulton family. 

On May 12, 2019, Firefighter William N. Franck was performing scene safety at a motor vehicle accident.  While at the accident, he suffered a CVA.  He was immediately taken to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA, where he passed away a short time later.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Franck family. 

On May 15, 2019, firefighters from the Appleton Fire Department, the Appleton Police Department, and the Gold Cross Ambulance Crew, responded to a medical emergency at the Valley Transit Center in downtown Appleton, WI.  While treating the patient, the situation escalated into shots being fired, striking Firefighter Lundgaard, a police officer, and a bystander.  Aid was immediately rendered to Firefighter Lundgaard and he was rushed to the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton, WI.  Despite all life-saving efforts, Lundgaard passed away from the injuries he sustained from the shooting.  Investigation into the incident continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lundgaard family. 

Senior Firefighter/Driver Engineer Charles Ruffing, who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, was found deceased in Boise Fire Department Station 6 as a result of a suicide.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ruffing family. 

Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Moore was on duty at the fire station on Thursday, June 6, 2019, and Friday, June 7, 2019. He responded to several fire and EMS calls during his 48 hour shift. He complained of not feeling well in the late morning of Friday, June 7, 2019, and was relieved of duty to go home and rest. He stated that he was going to follow-up with his personal physician. He was found deceased Saturday morning, June 8, 2019, at his residence.  Investigation into the incident is ongoing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Moore family. 

Captain Lanthrip responded to an automobile accident on the evening of June 12, 2019.  He returned home after the response. At approximately 0130hrs the morning of June 13, 2019, he became unresponsive. Attempts by his wife and first responders were unsuccessful and he passed away.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lanthrip family. 

Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Wayne Echols was participating in a recruit training exercise in Anniston, AL. While at the training, he became ill and was immediately transported to the RMC Hospital in Anniston, where he passed away a short time later.  Investigation into the incident continues.   Firefighter/Paramedic Echols was also an active member of the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Springville, AL.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Echols family. 

On June 17, 2019, Firefighter/EMT Coleman Loadholt was on-duty at the Jasper County Fire Rescue Department in Ridgeland, SC.  At approximately 0815hrs, he complained to his co-worker that he wasn’t feeling well and suffered a medical emergency.  Firefighter/EMT Loadholt was treated by his co-worker and was immediately transported to the Coastal Carolina Hospital where he was stabilized.  The same day he was then transported to the Hilton Head Hospital, and was ultimately transported to the MUSC Hospital in Charleston, SC, where he passed away on June 21, 2019.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Loadholt family. 

Firefighter Michael Powers responded to the scene of a fatal vehicle accident.  While at the scene, he collapsed and suffered a medical emergency.  He was immediately transported to the Frederick Memorial Hospital where he passed away a short time later.  Investigation into the incident continues.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Powers family. 

On July 1, 2019, Chief William "Casey" White responded to a grass fire mutual aid call to a neighboring county at approximately 2130 hours. After returning from the call, Chief White retired for the evening at home around 2400hrs. The next day, July 2, 2019, he returned to the station at 0930hrs to outfit a new apparatus with equipment.  Chief White was found deceased at approximately 1730hrs that afternoon on the bay floor near the apparatus.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the White family. 

The North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 0132hrs to assist on a mutual aid residential fire. Lieutenant Cope was part of the engine crew assigned to staging in full PPE and SCBA with masks doffed. After approximately 45 minutes the crew was released by command and cleared the scene. After returning to his residence, Lieutenant Cope spoke to his wife at 0730hrs via phone. His wife then attempted to call him multiple times during the day without success.  At approximately 1600hrs his wife came home and found him not breathing and cold to the touch on the floor of the bedroom. EMS was called and Lieutenant Cope was pronounced deceased at home.  The cause and nature of death are under investigation.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cope family. 

On June 5, 2019, the City of Roswell Fire Department was preparing for the community July 4th fireworks show.  Driver/Operator Stroble was assisting with this preparation when an explosion occurred, injuring him.  Stroble was immediately taken to the hospital but passed away on July 21, 2019, from the injuries he sustained in the explosion.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stroble family.  

On Sunday, July 28, 2019, Firefighter Katkov was on a training hike with his crew in San Diego County.  During the hike, he suffered a medical emergency and was immediately flown to Temecula Valley Hospital in Riverside County where he passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Katkov family. 

On the evening of August 6, 2019, Fire Chief/Public Safety Director James E. Sommers was returning home on his motorcycle from a Suwannee County Commission Meeting, where he was representing the Suwannee Fire Rescue Department, when he was struck by a vehicle.  Sommers was immediately transported to the Lake City Medical Center where he died from the injuries he sustained in the accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sommers family. 

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, Firefighter Norman Edward Klenow responded to a motor vehicle accident.  While providing traffic control at the scene, he complained of not feeling well and was assisted into the apparatus.  After returning to the fire station, he went home, when at approximately 1946hrs, was found in cardiac arrest.  He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Klenow family.

On Friday, August 9, 2019, Lieutenant Brian J. Sullivan worked a 24-hour shift in which he responded to seven emergency calls.  During his shift, Sullivan complained to others of having pain and discomfort but continued to respond to calls.  When he returned home after his tour of duty, he suffered a heart attack and was immediately transported to the Orange County Regional Medical Center where he passed away in the early morning of Saturday, August 10, 2019.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sullivan family. 

On Friday, August 2, 2019, Assistant Chief Walter Wagaman was responding to an emergency as a passenger in an apparatus when he was ejected from it.  Wagaman was treated by emergency personnel at the scene and was immediately flown to the York Trauma Center where, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, he passed away from the injuries he sustained from the accident.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wagaman family. 

Employees inside of a recently renovated two-story administrative office for Life Enrichment Advancing People (LEAP) Inc., a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities, made an emergency call reporting that they smelled propane. No patients were inside and all employees inside of the building evacuated immediately. Captain Michael Bell responded with the Farmington Fire Rescue to the emergency call. Soon after firefighters arrived on scene and began to investigate, there was an explosion that leveled the building. Captain Bell was killed as a result of injuries sustained in the explosion. Six other firefighters, including the fire chief, and a maintenance worker were reportedly injured and transported to hospitals around the state.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bell family. 

On September 21, 2018, Firefighter Edward Nulton was directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle accident when he was struck by a dump truck. He suffered critical injuries, including traumatic brain injury, from which he was unable to recover. Nulton passed away as a result of his injuries on September 19, 2019.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nulton family. 

While operating a fire department vehicle, Captain Claud Messer was involved in a vehicle accident on Jonathan Creek Road (Highway 276 North) as he responded to another emergency traffic accident call. Messer passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Messer family. 

While on duty at Houston Fire Department’s Station 27, Firefighter Kenneth Stavinoha suffered a medical emergency and did not survive. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stavinoha family. 

After returning home from his shift at the Martin County Fire Rescue Department, Station 16, in which he participated in physical fitness training,  Firefighter-Paramedic Scott R. Neumann passed away from a medical incident which has not yet been determined.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Neumann family. 

Fire Engineer Paul Quattlebaum was dispatched to a medical call. While headed to the call, he and his partner saw a vehicle accident in the 5200 block of Fairview Road and stopped to help.  While checking on those involved, Quattlebaum was struck by a semi-truck. EMS treated Quattlebaum at the scene and then transported him to a nearby hospital where he passed away.   Our thoughts and prayers are with the Quattlebaum family. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the White family.