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Name: Debra A. Cole
Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Status: Career
Years of Service: 12
Date of Incident: 06/10/2009
Time of Incident: 0630hrs
Date of Death: 06/11/2009
Fire Department: South Portland Fire Department
Address: 20 Anthoine ST, South Portland, ME 04106
Fire Department Chief: Kevin Guimond
Incident Description: Firefighter Cole collapsed in the station while on duty and after having run at least one emergency call. Her collapse was not witnessed but was overheard and she was tended to immediately by the rest of her crew. Cole was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she was treated and underwent almost 11 hours of surgery. Firefighter Cole succumbed to her injury at approximately 1630hrs the following day. The cause of death was reported by the department to have been a stroke.
Incident Location: Western Avenue Station, 34 Crossing Drive.
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In honor of Firefighter/Paramedic Debra A. Cole, c/o South Portland Fire Department, 20 Anthoine ST, South Portland, ME 04106
Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Paramedic Debra A. Cole at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/
To date, 46 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2009; 45 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
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
