Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: Chip Imker

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 1

Date of Incident: 05/23/2011

Time of Incident: 2130hrs

Date of Death: 05/23/2011

Fire Department: Cambridge Fire Department

Address: 300 3rd AVE NE, Cambridge, MN 55008

Fire Department Chief: Sean Okerland

Incident Description: Initial reports indicate that Firefighter Imker passed away from injuries he sustained after falling six to eight feet onto a concrete surface at the fire hall during rope rescue training. Investigation into the incident continues by local and state authorities.

Incident Location: 300 3rd AVE NE, Cambridge, MN 55008

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: A Chip Imker Firefighter Memorial Fund has been established and donations can be sent to Minnco Credit Union, 235 1st Avenue West, Cambridge, MN 55008. Checks should be made payable to Kristin Hill.

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

To date, 36 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 32 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and four 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.