Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: Zachary Whitacre

Rank: Firefighter
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: <1
Date of Incident: 02/13/2012
Time of Incident: 0400hrs
Date of Death: 02/13/2012

Fire Department: Gore Volunteer Fire & Rescue

Address: PO Box 146, 7184 Northwestern PIKE, Gore, VA 22637
Fire Department Chief: Steve Holliday

Incident Description: Firefighter Whitacre passed away from injuries sustained when the apparatus he was riding in crashed. Freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions caused by fire tanker operations were possible contributing factors to the accident. Investigation into the incident by local and state authorities continues.

Incident Location: U.S. 50 & Timber Ridge Rd, Bloomery, Hampshire, West Virginia 26711

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Zachary Whitacre at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 11 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