Firefighter Fatality

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

Name:  David Eason

Rank:   Firefighter Recruit

Age:  38

Gender: Male

Status:  Firefighter Recruit

Years of Service:  N/A

Date of Incident:  01/26/11

Time of Incident: 1545hrs

Date of Death: 01/26/11

Fire Department:  West Memphis Fire Department

Address: 

200 N 7TH ST, West Memphis, AR  72301

Fire Department Chief:  Wayne Gately

Fire Department POC:  Wayne Gately

Fire Department Website:  http://www.westmemphisfire.com/

Incident Description:  During a training exercise at the Arkansas Fire Academy in East Camden, Arkansas, Firefighter Recruit Eason went into cardiac arrest while performing a hose trace evolution.  Paramedics were on-site and immediately performed CPR and advanced life support.  However, Firefighter Recruit Eason passed away at the hospital approximately 30 minutes later.  Cause of death is under investigation.

Incident Location:  Arkansas Fire Academy, East Camden, AR

Funeral Arrangements:  Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Recruit Eason at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 12 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; ten from incidents that occurred in 2011 and two from a previous year’s incident.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm.