Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: Gregory Mack Simmons

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 50

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 20+

Date of Incident: 04/15/2011

Time of Incident: 1300hrs

Date of Death: 04/15/2011

Fire Department: Eastland Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 414 S Seaman ST, Eastland, TX 76448

Incident Description: While seeking safety from an area being overrun by flames during wildland firefighting operations, Firefighter Simmons passed away from blunt force trauma consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Reports indicate that while he and other firefighters were trying to escape the fire, Simmons exited his apparatus and ran into or near a smoke obscured roadway and was struck by an unknown vehicle. Investigation into the fatal incident continues by local and state authorities.

Incident Location: County Road 323, Carbon/Eastland, TX

Funeral Arrangements: 04/20/2011 @ 1300hrs, Leon River Cowboy Church, 491 County Road 447, Eastland, TX.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Eastland ISD Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 31, Eastland, TX 76448; and/or the Eastland Volunteer Fire Department, 414 S. Seaman, Eastland, TX 76448.

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

To date, 27 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 24 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.