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19 firefighter deaths go unexamined

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

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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:

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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.

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