Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: Neal W. Smith

Rank: Captain

Age: 46

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 5

Date of Incident: 09/15/2012

Time of Incident: unknown

Date of Death: 09/17/2012

Fire Department: Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department

Address: 7642 Farmingham Road, Atascocita, TX  77346

Fire Department Chief: William Bivens

Incident Description: On Saturday, September 15, during a smoke diver class designed to train firefighters advanced survival skills in full gear, Captain Neal Smith passed out from a heat-related illness.  He was transported to a hospital during which CPR was administered.  Captain Smith remained in critical condition until Monday, September 17, when he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 6:30 p.m.  Doctors reportedly determined that Captain Smith's body temperature was more than 106 degrees.

Incident Location: Beaumont Emergency Services Training Complex

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Captain Neal Smith at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 58 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