Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: John Lackovic

Rank: Fire Police Lieutenant

Age: 60

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 33

Date of Incident: 07/11/2011

Time of Incident: 1130hrs

Date of Death: 07/11/2011

Fire Department: Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company

Address: PO Box 62, 630 Valley Park RD, Valley Forge, PA 19481-0062

Fire Department Chief: Rick Beittel, Jr.

Incident Description: Approximately four hours after Fire Police Lieutenant Lackovic responded to a report of a motorcycle accident, Lackovic began experiencing difficulty breathing. EMS units from West End Ambulance responded to calls for assistance and, upon arrival, found Lieutenant Lackovic in cardiac arrest. Lieutenant Lackovic was transported to the Phoenixville Hospital where he passed away. 

Incident Location: 1145 Valley Forge Rd, Schuylkill Twp, PA

Funeral Arrangements: Per the family’s request, a private viewing, funeral, and reception will be held Friday, July 15th, 2011.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Fire Police Lieutenant John Lackovic at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 51 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 46 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and five 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.