Our condolences to the Solomon family, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, and the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department of Georgia. FireFighter Steven Solomon, 33, a 4 month veteran of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and 6 year veteran of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, died Wednesday November 29, 2006. Steven was severely burned at a structure fire in an abandoned building on Thankgiving Night, 6 days prior, on Elm Street in northwest Atlanta. After an evacuation call due to extreme fire conditions, Steven was trapped and received third degree burns to 30% of his body on his torso and legs. He was rescued and rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where he spent the next six days in the burn unit before succumbing to his injuries.

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

11/29/06 Line of Duty Death - New Brunswick, NJ

     Our condolences to the Van Liew family, the New Brunswick Fire Department, and the Highland Park Fire Department of New Jersey. Acting Lieutenant Thomas Van Liew, 52, a 20 year veteran of the New Brunswick Fire Department and volunteer with the Highland Park Fire Department, died Tuesday November 28, 2006. Thomas was found slumped over his desk shortly after reporting for duty, apparently suffering from heart failure. EMTs stationed at the Burnet Street firehouse found him still breathing and rushed him to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he was pronounced dead later that morning.

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

---

11/28/06 Line of Duty Death - Millerton, NY

     Our condolences to the McClune family and the Millerton Fire Department of Millerton, New York. FireFighter Hector 'Sandy' McClune, 76, a 40-year active life member of the Millerton Fire Department, died Sunday November 26, 2006. Sandy was assisting with extinguishment of a grass fire at the Millerton Elementary School when he collapsed at the scene. His brother firefighters attempted to resuscitate him, but were unable. He was transported to Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut where he was pronounced dead.

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

---

11/27/03 New FireFighter Profile

     Earlier this month I posted a FireFighter Profile of West Lake Junior FireFighter Patrick Carne of Erie, Pennsylvania. I have added a profile of his twin brother Andrew, also a Junior Firefighter with the West Lake FD. Check out their profiles here. If you would like to see your FireFighter Profile on FireFightingLinks.com, please don't hesitate to email me.

---

11/26/06 Attention WFD Members

     It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Arcas Aybar, father of Waterbury Deputy Fire Marshal Daniel Aybar. Arcas worked at Scovill Manufacturing for 20 years before retiring to Florida. Graveside services will be held on Saturday December 2, 2006 at Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland, Florida.

---

11/25/06 Armpatch Gallery Update

     I appreciate the armpatch submissions, the Armpatch Gallery is fast approaching the 2,000 patches mark. I have added 24 new company patches today, including these two from the Bull Mountain Volunteer Fire Department of Patrick County, Virginia and the Millville Volunteer Fire Company Station 84 of Millville, Delaware.

     These new armpatches can be found on pages Armpatch 164, and Armpatch 165. There are now 1,980 armpatches in the gallery.

---

11/23/06 Happy Thanksgiving

---

11/21/03 New FireFighter Profile

     Lieutenant Chris David, a 3 year veteran of the Spring Fire Department of Spring, Texas, with 6 years of fire service, has been added to the FireFighter Profile section. Chris is the webmaster of TheBravestOnline.com. His website is a collection of his photos and videos, as well as viewer submitted photos and videos. Check his profile out here. If you would like to see your FireFighter Profile on FireFightingLinks.com, please don't hesitate to email me.

---

11/20/06 Buddy Light Helmet LED Giveaway

Win 10 Buddy Light Helmet LEDs - a $404.45 Value

     I have one of these lights on my helmet and it is quickly turning out to be a necessity. Using it as a handy light, I simply tilt my head to point the light where I need it. The other advantage of this light is the ability to be seen by others. Whether it is being visible on scene, in a structure fire, or on a dark road or highway at night, everyone can see you. Visit the Contests page to enter your name in the drawing and read the contest rules.

---

11/18/06 Line of Duty Death - Riegelwood, NC

     Our condolences to the Browne family and the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department of Riegelwood, North Carolina. FireFighter Michael Browne, 24, a 3 year veteran volunteer with Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire & Rescue, died Thursday November 16, 2006. Michael was responding from his home to the fire station with his family for a medical call, when a tornado struck the area. Micheal was severely injured and passed away at the scene. He was found in the rubble of his mobile home with the bodies of his father, Timothy, and his stepmother, MaryAnn. His three year old daughter, Cheyenne, was found alive, nearby in a ditch, but severely injured with a fractured jaw and a collapsed lung.

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

---

11/17/06 Armpatch Gallery Update

     Today I have added 24 new armpatches to the Armpatch Gallery, including these two from the Cromwell Fire Department of Cromwell, Connecticut, and the Fort McHenry Fire Boat 1 from the Baltimore City Fire Department of Baltimore City, Maryland. Keep those patch submissions coming in.

     These new armpatches can be found on pages Armpatch 162, and Armpatch 163. There are now 1,957 armpatches in the gallery.

---

11/15/06 Line of Duty Death - Marshallberg, NC

     Our condolences to the Whittaker family and the Marshallberg Fire Department of Marshallberg, North Carolina. FireFighter Robert Whittaker, 55, a volunteer with the Marshallberg Fire Department for three months but with 10 years in the fire service, died Tuesday November 14, 2006. Robert was responding as mutual aid to assist the Harker's Island Fire Department at an early morning structure fire when he suffered a heart attack while operating a rescue truck. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree before coming to rest. Marshallberg Fire Chief Bryan Blake and firefighter Jeff Heyland were also in the vehicle but were not seriously injured in the crash.

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

---

11/13/06 Line of Duty Death - Melrose, MN

     Our condolences to the Weisbrich family and the Melrose Fire Department of Melrose, Minnesota. Probationary FireFighter Kyle Weisbrich, 22, a probie since February, died Sunday November 12, 2006. Kyle was responding on his personal motorcyle to Melrose Fire Hall for a motor vehicle call, when he was unable to stop, and struck another vehicle at an intersection. He was transported to Melrose Area Hospital but succumbed to his injuries several hours later.

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

---

11/10/03 New FireFighter Profile

     Junior FireFighter Patrick Carne, a 2 year veteran of the West Lake Fire Department of Erie, Pennsylvania gave me a chuckle when he asked if one had to be a 'senior' firefighter to have a FireFighter Profile. I told him to send me his information and photos and I would be glad to create a profile for him. Check his profile out here. If you would like to see your FireFighter Profile on FireFightingLinks.com, please don't hesitate to email me.

---

11/8/06 Armpatch Gallery Update

     The website traffic has really taken off recently, and with it, the department website and company patch submissions are really pouring in. Today I have added 36 new armpatches to the Armpatch Gallery, including these from Anchorage Fire & Rescue of Jefferson County, Kentucky, and the Grose Wold Rural Fire Brigade of New South Wales, Australia.

     These new armpatches can be found on pages Armpatch 159, Armpatch 160, and Armpatch 161. There are now 1,933 armpatches in the gallery.

---

11/6/06 New Website Feature - FireFighting Videos

     I have added a new website feature as you can see at the top of the navigation column. Today I added four FireFighting Videos submitted by Lou Angeli and hosted by Google Videos. One of the videos is of a structure fire, one is a training evolution gone bad, and the other two are 9/11 tributes.

     If you have a video you would like to submit, please email it to me or submit the link where the video is being hosted. i.e.: YouTube, or Google Videos.

---

11/4/06 Line of Duty Death - Middletown, CT

     Our condolences to the Pagano family and the Middletown Fire Department of Connecticut. Captain Joseph Pagano Jr., 52, a 28 year veteran of the Middletown Fire Department died Friday November 3, 2006. Joseph was working at the Cross Street fire station in the early evening when he collapsed at his desk from an apparent heart attack. His brother firefighters attempted to revive him using a defibrillator but were unsuccessful. Joseph was rushed to Middlesex Hospital by Hunters Ambulance where he later succumbed to his injuries.

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

---

11/2/06 Line of Duty Death - Kent, IN

     Our condolences to the Cloud family and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department of Madison, Indiana. FireFighter Greg Cloud, 33, a 3 year veteran of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department died Wednesday November 1, 2006. Greg had responded to a structure fire at an 11,000 square foot home on Little King Miniature Horse Farm in Kent when a flashover occurred. Two members of his team exited the structure after the flashover, then realizing that Greg had not made it out. They re-entered the structure and found Greg on the second floor. Madison Township Fire Chief Robert Black was seriously injured while rescuing Greg after the flashover.

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

---

11/1/06 Line of Duty Death - San Bernadino, CA

     Our condolences to the Cerda family and the United States Forest Service. Firefighter Pablo Cerda, 23, the fifth member of Engine 57 who was injured fighting the Esperanza Wildland Fire near Cabazon, California on Thursday October 26, 2006 has died. Pablo was in a drug-induced coma at the Arrowhead Medical Center where he underwent several surgeries before his family removed him from life support on Tuesday October 31, 2006. Pablo's fire crew was overtaken by flames fanned by the Santa Ana Winds gusting at over 25 mph.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Esperanza Wildland Tragedy Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

---

Visit our Archived News

---