U.S. Fire Administration Firefighter Fatality Notification - Lakeland, GA

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

Name: Derek Edward North

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 3

Date of Incident: 02/23/2009

Time of Incident: 1559hrs

Date of Death: 02/23/2009

Fire Department: Stockton Fire Department

Address: Lakeland/Lanier Fire and Rescue (District), PO Box 68, Lakeland, GA 31635

Fire Department Chief: Jimmy North

District Fire Chief: Gary Yeomans

Incident Description: Firefighter Derek North was riding in the officer seat of the department’s 1966 Ford Fire Knocker in response to a fire call. For a cause still being investigated by authorities, the apparatus overturned at an intersection when it reportedly swerved to avoid a collision with other traffic.

Three firefighters are reported to have been in the apparatus, Firefighter Derek North passed away from injuries, and the others, including his brother, Firefighter Chad North who was operating the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.

The fire apparatus was leased from the state and is reported to have had a baffled tank.

Seat belts: Unknown at this time if equipped or in use.

Incident Location: Intersection of U.S. 84 and U.S. 129.

Map View:

http://floridadisaster.org/gis/kml/viewer.htm?zoom=16&usng=17RLQ08152428&disp=h

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In memory of Firefighter Derek Edward North, c/o Lakeland/Lanier Fire and Rescue, PO Box 68, Lakeland, GA 31635.

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Derek Edward North at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 15 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2009 as a result of incidents that occurred in 2009.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm.

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The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.

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U.S. Fire Administration · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · Emmitsburg, MD 21727 · (301) 447-1000