Our condolences to the Niebergall family and the Red, White, and
Blue Fire Department of Breckenridge, Colorado. FireFighter Barrie
Niebergall, 56, a 23 year veteran firefighter but 2 year member of
the Red, White, and Blue Fire Department died Tuesday March 16,
2004. Barrie was found unconcious and unresponsive on the floor
of the fire station workout room. Efforts to revive him were
unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly after.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Barrie Niebergall Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/24/04 Line of Duty Deaths - Laconia, NH
Our condolences to the Miller family and the Laconia Fire Department of New Hampshire. FireFighter Mark Miller, 43, an 18 year veteran of the Laconia Fire Department died Thursday March 11, 2004. Mark was training with a new set of dive suits off the main dock at Weirs Bay. His partner, JP Hobby, and himself had given the thumbs up to surface but JP was the only one who did. He resubmerged but was unable to find Mark.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Mark Miller Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/21/04 Photo Gallery Update
I looked in the helmet folder and found 23 new photos for the
Helmet Gallery
including this airbrushed helmet from Jerry Flatterich of the Puget
Sound Federal Fire Department of Washington State.
I also looked in the shield folder and found 13 new shields to add
to the
Helmet Shield Gallery
including this custom shield from The Art of Fire.com, a silver and bronze
memorial shield for 9-11 with 343 on the shield.
3/16/04 Line of Duty Deaths - Pittsburgh, PA
Our condolences to the Brace family, the Stefanakis family, and
the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau of Pennsylvania. Battalion Chief Charles
Brace, 55, and FireFighter Richard Stefanakis, 51, both 30 year
veterans of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau died Saturday March 13,
2004. Both firefighters were dousing hot spots in the basement of
Ebenezer Baptist Church, a 131 year old 75x75 church, when the
roof and steeple of the church collapsed. They were trapped in
the basement during the collapse and 25-30 firefighters on the
ground were injured from the falling debris. Five other firefighters
were seriously injured during a flashover that occured prior to the
roof collapse.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Charles Brace and Richard Stefanakis Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/14/04 Line of Duty Death - Prospect, CT
Our condolences to the Griffin family and the Prospect Volunteer
Fire Department of Connecticut. Robert Griffin, 38, a 5 week
veteran of the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday
March 13, 2004. Robert started training at Wolcott Regional Fire
School last week. He was with a group of 30 firefighters from area
departments completeing a trailer maze exercise. Near the end of
his evolution he signaled to his partner that he wasn't ok and
became unresponsive. Paramedics on standby were unable to
revive him. He was rushed to Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury
were he was pronounced dead.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Robert Griffin Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/10/04 Attention WFD Members
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Augustine
Sillery, father of Waterbury Fire Lieutenant Jim Sillery. Calling
hours for Augustine will be held Friday March 12, 2004 6-8PM at
Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home in Waterbury. Augustine
served as a pilot in WWII and the Korean War and was decorated
many times. A funeral with full military honors will be held for
Augustine on Saturday March 13, 2004 10AM at Immaculate
Conception Church followed by a burial at Old Saint Joseph's
Cemetery.
3/8/04 Line of Duty Death - Vandergrift, PA
Our condolences to the Gabrielli family and the George G.
McMurty Volunteer Fire Department of Vandergrift,
Pennsylvania. FireFighter Rich Gabrielli, 70, a 36 year
veteran with the George G. McMurty Volunteer Fire
Department died Monday February 23, 2004. Rich had
been performing fire police duties directing traffic at the
gate to Allegheny Ludlum's Vandergrift plant while fire
crews assisted the Ludlum fire brigade with a minor paper
fire. Rich collapsed on the scene and was rushed to
Allegheny Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Rich Gabrielli Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/4/04 Line of Duty Death - Harford, NY
Our condolences to the Neff family and the Harford Fire
Department of New York. Deputy Chief Bret Neff, 37, a
veteran firefighter with the Harford Fire Department died
Monday February 23, 2004. Bret was working to fill a 750
gallon portable water pond at a mobile home fire when the
tanker he was standing behind rolled backwards collapsing
the water pond and pinning him against another apparatus.
Bret was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre,
Pennsylvania where he was pronounced dead.
For more news, information, and photos, please visit the
Bret Neff Memorial in the
Fallen Brothers Section.
3/1/04 Attention WFD Members
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Retired
Waterbury FireFighter Leo Farrington Jr. Leo retired in 1984
after 33 years of service. His father Leo Farrington Sr. was
also a member of the Waterbury Fire Department. After retiring
Leo became one of 13 national directors of the Police and
Fireman's Insurance Association. Calling hours for Leo will be
held Tuesday March 2, 2004 4-8PM at Alderson Funeral Home.
A funeral will be held for Leo on Wednesday February 3, 2004
10AM at Saint Aloysius Church in Plantsville.
