Five firefighters “died suddenly”:
Orlando family mourns loss of beloved wife, mom, daughter, firefighter following cancer battle
August 19, 2024
Orlando, Fla. - An Orlando family is navigating a path forward after a beloved wife, mother, and firefighter passed away from cancer. Experts say rare and aggressive cancers like the one Amanda Adams had are becoming more common in firefighters. 21 months ago, Amanda developed an extremely rare form of cancer called dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) says the increasing prevalence of chemicals that burn hotter, faster, and with more toxins is leading to more cases of cancers like Amanda's.
No age reported.
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New Bedford, MA, firefighter found dead in station
August 15, 2024
New Bedford Firefighter Matthew E. Forand.
A decorated New Bedford [MA] firefighter was found dead in his fire station Thursday. Firefighter Matthew E. Forand, 45, who was on duty, apparently suffered an unknown medical emergency during the night. Forand had been with the department since 2006, according to a statement posted on New Bedford's Facebook page.
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City of New Bedford to require municipal employees to be vaccinated:
https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/new ... cinated-2/
Rancho Adobe firefighter mourned after unexpected death
August 17, 2024
A Sonoma County [CA] firefighter is being mourned by family, friends and colleagues. Rancho Adobe Fire District Capt. Kyle Heard, 43, died Friday night after suffering a medical emergency at his Santa Rosa home, said Herb Wandel, the district’s battalion chief. Heard joined the Penngrove-based Rancho Adobe district in 2003 as a volunteer, had been promoted to full-time engineer in 2013 and was last year promoted to full-time captain, Wandel said.
No cause of death reported.
Link
California implements first-in-the-nation measures to encourage state employees and health care workers to get vaccinated:
https://tinyurl.com/2ufu3wxf
17-year veteran of metro Atlanta firefighter dies after battle with cancer
August 17, 2024
Union City, Ga. — A beloved member of the Union City Fire Department has died after a long battle with cancer. Sergeant, Paramedic Mike Fitzpatrick, a 17-year veteran of the department passed away on Saturday. “Sgt. Fitzpatrick was a dedicated firefighter, paramedic, and servant leader who served the UCFD with passion and commitment,” the department said.
No age reported.
Link
FDNY Marshal George Snyder, head of lithium-ion battery task force, dies of heart attack
August 13, 2024
FDNY Marshal George Snyder, Head of Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force, Dies of Heart Attack
An FDNY Fire Marshal in charge of investigating lithium-ion battery fires across the city has died of a heart attack. Supervising Fire Marshal George Snyder, 53, went into cardiac arrest as he left work on Friday and died at a local hospital on Saturday, department officials said. His passing is considered a line-of-duty death since it happened within 24 hours of his last duty shift, a department spokeswoman said.
Link
New COVID vaccine mandate for FDNY, city workers:
https://www.firehouse.com/safety-health ... ty-workers
Two paramedics “died suddenly”:
Daughter of LASD medic is escorted to school by his fellow deputies after he died of cancer
August 14, 2024
Glendora, Calif. - A week after a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tactical medic died of cancer, fellow deputies escorted his young daughter to school on the year's first day of classes. Gonzalo Galvez's death was announced Aug. 6 by the LASD's Special Enforcement Bureau. "Why does cancer take the best ones? Gonzo was an amazing tactical medic and saved hundreds of lives," the video's caption said, referring to Galvez by his nickname. Galvez was part of the team that worked the department's Rescue 5 helicopter. He spent nearly 25 years with the department. He was 47.
Link
LA County Sheriff's Department set to lose 4K employees for vaccine noncompliance:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/la-cou ... compliance
Reported on August 7:
Officials announce Plymouth County paramedic dies while on duty
August 7, 2024
Plymouth, MA - The Plymouth Fire Department has announced the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of their colleague, Paramedic Brent Stephens while on duty at the West Plymouth Village Fire Station. Stephens has been a dedicated member of the public safety team as a Paramedic for Brewster Ambulance Service stationed in Plymouth for the past four years, and his loss is felt deeply. He has been a paramedic since 2016.
No age or cause of death reported.
Link
Baker orders vaccine mandate for 42,000 state employees:
https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/08/19/ba ... -employees