Firefighter F\atality

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

Name: Elias Jaquez

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 49

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 2

Date of Incident: 04/09/2011

Time of Incident: 1700hrs

Date of Death: 04/20/2011

Fire Department: Cactus Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 201 Hwy 287, Cactus, TX 79013

Fire Department Chief: Raul Cicneros

Incident Description: Firefighter Jaquez, and three other firefighters were injured after a Dumas and Cactus, TX, fire truck became stuck in the rough terrain while operating on a wildland firefight. Jaquez suffered 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body and was rushed for treatment to the Lubbock Burn Center where he remained in critical condition until his passing.

Incident Location: Road U, Moore County, TX

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A benefit fund has been established in honor of Firefighter Elias Jaquez at the Happy State Bank (https://www.happybank.com/).

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

To date, 31 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 28 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.