Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Larry Gressett, Sr.

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 33

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 5

Date of Incident: 02/17/2011

Time of Incident: 1730hrs

Date of Death: 02/17/2011

Fire Department: Toomsuba Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 

51 Will Garrett RD, Toomsuba, MS  39364

Fire Department Chief:  Billy Stuckey

Incident Description: Firefighter Gressett responded to a scene of an accident at a local lake.  A man had been in a boat with his grandson when he fell into the water.  On arrival, a couple of the firefighters, including Firefighter Gressett, went into the water to rescue the man.  Firefighter Gressett’s body cramped up and he drowned. 

Incident Location: 

230 Sam Hurtt RD, Toomsuba, MS  39364

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Gressett at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 22 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 19 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and three from previous years’ incidents.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm