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VA. FIREFIGHTER: LODD, Tragic Chicago Update, MEDEVAC Crash (The Secret List)

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We regret to pass on that Haysi (SW VA) Vice Mayor, Fire Chief & Career Forestry FF Rocky Wood was killed in the Line of Duty while fighting a Buchanan County wildfire on Thursday. Wood is a member of the town council since 2008 and is the Chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department.

The 15-acre wildfire was near the Roseann community. Chief Wood was a 7-year VDOF employee who worked in the Western Region’s Vansant Office. He joined VDOF full-time as a Forest Technician in 2016. Prior to that, he worked as a part-time wildland Firefighter with the agency and for the Virginia Department of Corrections. The fire was reportedly contained early this morning. Our condolences to all those affected. Rest In Peace.

TRAGIC UPDATE FROM CHICAGO
Chicago Firefighter Walter Stewart’s wife has died after a devastating fire in the Montclare neighborhood, which also killed their 7-year-old son, and left two other children gravely injured.
The Stewart family’s home did have smoke detectors.
36-year-old Summer Day-Stewart was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Firefighter, identified by Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 as Walter Stewart, performed CPR on his wife after the fire. Their 7-year-old son, Ezra, was pronounced dead on Wednesday evening. Their 7-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son remain in critical condition at the hospital. The fire broke out Tuesday night in a house at 2554 N. Rutherford Ave and the he cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Chicago Fire Department officials have said Walter Stewart, who lived in the house, responded himself – and gave his own 34-year-old wife CPR. He was not part of the fire crew that responded to the fire, but when he heard the address of the fire over radio dispatch, he went to the scene. The Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 issued a statement in support of the Stewart family:

“Every member of Local 2 and the Department mourns with our brother Walter and the Stewart family. This tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts, and we pledge our ongoing support,”  said Jim Tracy President of Local 2. “Local 2 is encouraging everyone to make a donation for Walter and the Stewart family through the “Ignite The Spirit Chicago” KTIYP’s

 
PLEASE DONATE TO HELP THE FAMILY:
A medical transportation EC-135 helicopter carrying a patient crashed last night in Macon County, NC (SE of Knoxville). A call declaring an emergency came in about 1900 hour and, moments after the call ended, the helicopter went down.
Erlanger Health System in Tennessee confirmed that LIFE FORCE 6 helicopter crashed while transporting a patient and three crew members from a medical facility in Murphy.

3 people involved in the crash were transported by ground ambulance to Mission Hospital with minor to moderate injuries and one patient was transported to Angel Medical Center for evaluation. The patient and two crew members were taken to Mission and the pilot was not transported. The Erlanger Health System spokesperson said only preliminary details were available, but that this is the first crash in the LIFE FORCE program’s 34-year history.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.
BillyG
The Secret List 3/10/2023-1429 Hours