Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: John L. Echternach, Jr.

Rank: Lieutenant/EMT

Age: 54

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 19

Date of Incident: 06/29/2012

Time of Incident: Pending

Date of Death: 06/29/2012

Fire Department: Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 25355 Virgil H Goode HWY, Boones Mill, VA 24065

Fire Department Chief: Division Chief Billy Ferguson

Incident Description: Lieutenant Echternach was en route to the fire station in response to an outbreak of severe weather in the area when he stopped to help another driver whose car, according to media reports, was hit by a tree. While assisting, Echternach was struck by another tree and severely injured. Firefighter Echternach succumbed to his injuries several days later while being treated in the hospital.

Incident Location: Vicinity of Boones Mill, VA, along U.S. 220.

Funeral Arrangements: A memorial service will begin at 1000hrs Saturday, July 7, 2012 in the Franklin Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary, 110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.

Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant/EMT John L. Echternach, Jr. at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 42 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