Hey,
With much of todays focus on the tragic death of Volunteer Firefighter Zach Whitacre, take a few minutes to also remember 2 other LODD’s below.
ALSO WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT UPDATE BELOW FROM ALEXANDRA, VA FD:
VIRGINIA APPARATUS CRASH LODD UPDATE:
The latest information from Frederick County (VA) is that 21-year-old FF Zachary Whitacre and his father, Firefighter Donald Whitacre, were working a structure fire in the Hampshire County town of Capon Bridge when they left the scene around 0400 to refill their tanker. Donald Whitacre lost control of the truck on ice-covered U.S. Route 50 and slid into an embankment. His son was ejected-and some reports are that it was from the back of the truck. We spoke with friends at Frederick County Fire & Rescue late this afternoon and they said they are still conducting their investigation, although media sources are saying that Zach was thrown from the rear of the tanker. As you know, FF Zach Whitacre was pronounced dead at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia.
As many FD’s have family members involved, (see next story below), his Dad Donald is struggling with the tragedy as you can only imagine.
VIDEO: HERE is a TV interview with him: http://tinyurl.com/83f7oap
More to follow. RIP.
REMEMBERING CHICAGO BATTALION CHIEF THOMAS HOFF AND LEXINGTON (KY) LT BRENDA COWAN
CFD-Chief Thomas Hoff:
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of Chicago Battalion Chief Thomas Hoff dying in the line of duty. He is the Father of Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff.
HERE is a link to the information on the LODD from the archive at IFSI (Illinois Fire Service Institute):
http://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/library/IFLODD/search/Firefighter.cfm?ID=228
HERE is also an interview between the IFSI Historian, Adam Groves, and the late Chief Ray Hoff, about the Hoff’s and the Chicago FD: http://www.fsi.illinois.edu/IFLODD_Media/Transcript/Hoff,Chicago%20FD,February27,2008,Transcript.pdf
OUR THANKS to the Illinois Fire Service Institute Library and the Illinois Firefighter Line of Duty Death (IFLODD) research team.
LFD-Lieutenant Brenda Cowan:
Today marks the 8th anniversary of the Line of Duty death of Lexington Fire Lt Brenda Cowan. On February 13, 2004, LFD Lieutenant Cowan was shot to death while treating a shooting victim in south Lexington. Today at the station where she worked a tribute honoring Lieutenant Cowan is on display. The hand-crocheted afghan of a U.S. flag with Cowan’s name on a black ribbon. The afghan was found tucked away in a trash bag at station around this time last year. No one is sure who made the afghan or why it was stored in a trash bag….
HERE is the REPORT on Her Death By Gunfire While On An EMS Run:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200411.html
A MESSAGE FROM THE ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Here are a couple of updates regarding the Joshua A. Weissman Funeral Arrangements, being sent to you as requested by the AFD.
The most up to date information on funeral arrangements are posted on the City of Alexandria Website HERE: http://alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman
Hotel information for out of town guests HERE: http://visitalexandriava.com/joshua-weissman/
If you would like to make an online donation to the Joshua A. Weissman Memorial Fund you may do so by visiting this link HERE:
Agencies planning on attending are requested to RSVP once per agency using the online RSVP form prior to Wednesday, February 15th at Noon. http://apps.alexandriava.gov/WeissmanRSVP/default.aspx
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 2-13-12 / 2019 Hours
