Firefighter Fatality

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Bruce Turcotte

Rank: Firefighter
Age: 58
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 38
Date of Incident: 01/19/2012
Time of Incident: 1330hrs
Date of Death: 01/19/2012

Fire Department: Hopelawn Engine Company No. 1

Address: 127 Loretta ST, Hopelawn, NJ 08861
Fire Department Chief: Michael Walsh

Incident Description: Firefighter Turcotte responded to a residential structure fire with his fire company. Shortly after working to reestablish the water supply to firefighters inside of the burning structure, he returned to his rescue truck and fell ill where he was discovered a short time later by other firefighters. Firefighter Turcotte was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital but passed away due to a reported cardiac arrest.

Incident Location: 29 Jefferson ST

Funeral Arrangements: A Wake will be held at the Mitruska Funeral Home, 531 New Brunswick Ave, Fords, NJ, on 01/23/2011 from 1900-2100hrs; and, 01/24/2012 from 1400-1600 and 1900-2100hrs. The Funeral will be at 1000hrs, 01/25/2012, at Our Lady of Peace Church, Fords, NJ. Due to limited parking at the church a staging area for the funeral will be at the Woodbridge Center parking lot (Fortunoff section) with shuttles to the church. From the church after the services, the shuttle buses will travel to the Repass (1300-1700hrs) held at the Forge Banquet Hall. There will be a continuous shuttle service back to the parking area from the banquet hall.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter and former Fire Chief Bruce Turcotte at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, seven firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm