From CFA Direct;

Tolmie & District Rural Fire Brigade member Hugh Monroe died yesterday after the tanker he was driving was involved in an accident on the way to an incident in Victoria’s North East. The accident happened about 14 kilometres from Tatong.

Mr Monroe, 62, had been a volunteer for nearly 11 years and was a much loved member of both his brigade and community. A dedicated firefighter and brigade 3rd Lieutenant, he was involved in the 2006 campaign through Victoria’s high country and the Black Saturday fires last year.

Mr Monroe was a Vietnam Veteran and retired to Tolmie after working as a protective services officer in Melbourne, guarding the Shrine of Remembrance. Handy with a pool cue and a keen fly fisherman, which he wrote about for his local paper, Mr Monroe ran fishing and tourism trips. He was also a passionate gardener and opened his property to visitors as part of the Open Garden Scheme.

An active, community-minded man, Mr Monroe will be deeply missed. CFA extends its sincere condolences to Mr Monroe’s family, friends and fellow brigade members.

Chief Officer Russell Rees described the accident as a tragedy and said it “reinforces once again the dedication and commitment of our people across the emergency services.” He said work protecting Victoria’s communities would go on today and into the week “under a shadow of loss as we mourn Mr Monroe’s sacrifice.”

Chief Executive Officer Mick Bourke joined Russell in expressing his condolences to Mr Monroe’s family and friends, and the wider CFA family. “When one of our own dies in active service, it deeply affects the whole organisation. All across the state, CFA members are sharing this pain and sending their condolences to those involved.”

Mr Monroe is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kathy, and his children.

Deepest condolences to Firefighter Monroe’s family, friends and his Brigade members. RIP Hugh Monroe.

Friend of firefighters Kate from Big Sur posts the notice here.

Condolences to Firefighter Marovich’s family and friends. Too young to die.

Images of Memorial for Firefighter Marovich at Redding.com

Oakland Police Department lost three sergeants today in two separate (but related) gun battles.

The Oakland Tribune has details of the tragedy here.

The three slain sergeants have been identified as Erv Romans, Dan Sakai and Mark Dunakin. A fourth officer was shot and is in critical condition. The fourth officer is John Hege, age 41.
All our prayers to Officer Hege.

God rest the souls of the dead officers. May their families find peace in time.

Update: Officer John Hege has died.

The scope of the helicopter crash that claimed nine firefighters in the Trinity Alps is beginning to sink in. These guys were America’s best, proud sons of Oregon and brothers in the greater firefighter family.

When accidents happen the incident is studied in order to prevent similar incidents in the future. In this case the firefighters were passengers. The investigation is in the hands of the NTSB.

Reports surrounding the accident are surfacing.

Here is a first person account of the crash.

My family sends our thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for the four survivors. Our condolences to the families and friends of the 9 fallen firefighters.

Too young!
A reminder not all our bravest Americans are serving overseas.

YubaNet reports:

“National Park Service firefighter Andrew Palmer, 18, a firefighter with the Olympic National Park headquartered in Port Angeles, Wash. died while en route to Redding, Calif. this evening. He was being transported for emergency treatment of multiple injuries.Forest Service officials learned of the fatality at approximately 5:45 p.m.

“Each and every member of the firefighting community feels a tragedy of this type. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew, who selflessly served to protect,” said Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor Sharon Heywood. “

Condolences to the family and friends of Firefighter Andrew Palmer.

The Press Democrat reports….

“An Anderson Valley volunteer firefighter who had been working on the Mendocino County firelines died early Thursday morning after falling ill, officials said.

Robert Roland, 63, was taken to Ukiah Valley Medical Center after he began to have health difficulties, said Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Dawn Emery Ballantine….”

I would consider this a Line of Duty Death. Make no mistake smoke and soot from wildfires are a toxic mix.
Condolences to Firefighter Roland’s family.

• 115 on-duty firefighter deaths in 2007
• Firefighters lost in 33 States
• 54 died of heart attacks or strokes
• 10 died fighting wildland fires
• 19 caught or trapped in structure fires
• 20% of fatalities were from responding to or returning from incidents
• Lack of seat belt use contributed to total
• 64% of fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties

..