U.S. Fire Administration Firefighter Fatality Notification - Madison, WI

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

Name: Heath Van Handel

Rank: Pilot

Age: 36

Gender: Male

Status: Wildland full-time

Years of Service: 3

Date of Incident: 04/08/2009

Time of Incident: 1426hrs

Date of Death: 04/08/2009

Fire Department: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Address: 101 S. Webster Street, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921

Fire Department Chief: Trent Marty

Incident Description:  A multiengine Cessna 337 being used during wildland fire suppression operations in coordination with Pittsville firefighters working on the ground, crashed into a field killing the pilot Heath Van Handel. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Incident Location: 6402 Highway V in the town of Cary, WI.

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Donations in honor of Pilot Heath Van Handel may be made payable to the “Heath Van Handel Family Fund”, c/o Trent Marty, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921

Tribute is being paid to Pilot Heath Van Handel at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 29 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2009; 28 from incidents that occurred in 2009 and one from a previous year 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

 

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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