Skip navigation
sponsored by 

19 firefighter deaths go unexamined

CDC program did not report on their deaths and isn’t investigating

MSNBC.com video
Cause for alarm
15 firefighters have died at fires where rescuers weren't given a chance to find them quickly. MSNBC.com's Bill Dedman reports.

MSNBC.com

Interactive
Cause for Alarm
View in-depth video interviews, a photo gallery and a timeline of events, and learn more about a firefighter's protective  equipment.
  Economy in Turmoil
Gut Check America

What is your top concern about the economy? Vote and share your story. Click here to learn more and get involved.

  Photo features  
  More
Models appear at the end of Portuguese designer Fatima Lopes' Spring/Summer 2009 women's ready-to-wear fashion collection show in Paris
Reuters
  The Week in Pictures
A bride goes fishing, while mini-Mahatma Gandhis compete on looks – just two of this week’s photo choices
Image: Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand
AP
PhotoBlog
View and discuss the pictures and issues that caught our eyes.
MSNBC
updated 2:25 p.m. ET Feb. 13, 2007

Here are the 19 firefighters who died fighting fires that were not investigated by the Centers for Disease Control's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.

MSNBC.com compiled the list by starting with the U.S. Fire Administration memorial database, comparing that with the CDC's list of fatality reports. The list was double-checked with the CDC to make sure no death currently under investigation is listed.

The list covers January 1999 through November 2006:

Story continues below ↓
advertisement

1. Feb. 15, 1999, Assistant Chief Brian William Collins, volunteer, River Oaks (Texas) Fire Department. Church fire.

2. Feb. 15, 1999, firefighter Garry Charles Sanders, volunteer, Sansom Park (Texas) Fire Department. Church fire.

3. Feb. 15, 1999, Capt. Phillip Wayne Snell-Dean, volunteer, River Oaks (Texas) Fire Department. Church fire.

4. May 3, 1999, firefighter Eric Noel Casiano, professional, Philadelphia Fire Department, fell or jumped. Back injury in fall at house fire.

5. June 3, 1999, Capt. Vincent G. Fowler, professional, New York City Fire Department. Ran out of air in basement at house fire.

6. Sept. 24, 2000, firefighter/secretary Kevin Scott Harshbarger, volunteer, Scenic Loop (Texas) Volunteer Fire Department. Fell through hole in roof while ventilating.

7. Jan. 1, 2001,  firefighter James Thomas Heenan, volunteer, Verga (N.J.) Fire Company #1, fell through to basement.

8. May 22, 2001, firefighter Lawrence James Webb, professional, Newark (N.J.) Fire Department. Did not evacuate. 

9. Nov. 4, 2002,  firefighter Edmund E. Malinski, volunteer, Northern Wayne (Pa.) Fire Department, exposure. Collapsed in fire; PASS device was off.

10. Feb. 15, 2004, Capt./EMT Robert Heminger, volunteer, Wood River (Neb.) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Roof collapse.

11. Feb. 15, 2004, Capt. Kenny Woitalewicz, volunteer, Wood River (Neb.) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Roof collapse.

12. Aug. 20, 2004, firefighter Rey Rubio, professional, Philadelphia Fire Department. Criminal case — marijuana growing operation. Was investigated by the CDC, but the report was not finished because of delays when CDC yielded to request by law enforcement to wait. CDC doesn't plan to finish it.

13. Aug. 20, 2004, Capt. John Taylor, professional, Philadelphia Fire Department. Criminal case — marijuana growing operation. Was investigated by the CDC, but the report was not finished because of delays when CDC yielded to request by law enforcement to wait. CDC doesn't plan to finish the report.

14. Sept. 3, 2004, Deputy Chief James D’Heron, professional, New Brunswick (N.J.) Fire Department. Explosion, trapped.

15. Nov. 30, 2004, firefighter Jackson "Jack" Gerhart, Chambersburg (Pa.) Fire Department, volunteer, fall. Fell while stretching a supply line.

16. Mar. 8, 2006, inmate firefighter Michael Lynn Davenport, volunteer, Mississippi State Penitentiary Fire Department.  Disoriented, overcome by smoke.

17. Apr. 11, 2006, firefighter Kevin A. Apuzzio, volunteer, East Franklin (N.J.) Volunteer Fire Department. Trapped in basement.

18. Sept. 9, 2006, Acting Capt. Vincent R. Neglia, North Hudson (N.J.) Regional Fire & Rescue Department, career. Trapped by flames.

19. Nov. 1, 2006, firefighter Gregory A. Cloud, volunteer, Kent (Ind.) Volunteer Fire Department. Separated and overcome by smoke.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

Sponsored links

Resource guide

Get Your 2008 Credit Score

Find a business to start

Try for Free

Search Jobs

Find Your Dream Home

$7 trades, no fee IRAs

Find your next car