From: FIRETV@AOL.COM Save Address - Block SenderReply-To: FIRE-L@cornell.eduTo: jerryfire@earthlink.net, jpfire@accutek.com, webmaster@emergency-world.com, jldent@gate.net, tom@firefighter.com, michael@10-75.com, fire-l@cornell.edu Save AddressSubject: [FIRE-L:18639] Rural Illinois Fire Officer Killed During BlazeDate: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 13:08:17 EST ReplyReply AllForwardDeletePreviousNextClose EXCLUSIVE "Herrick, Illinois Volunteer Chief Dies During Firefight" by: Lou Angeli Flirting With Disaster, (Herrick, Illinois) - Disaster struck the members of this small town 19 member fire department on Monday when 50 year old Assistant Chief Don Wilson lost his life while operating at a house fire in rural central Illinois. The 15 year veteran fire officer was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. According to Lewis Wasson, Chairman of the Department's Board of Trustees, Chief Wilson was providing vertical ventilation for a hoseteam when the roof on which he was standing collapsed. "The fire wasn't a big deal,' Wasson noted in an interview, 'and the members were working to keep the blaze from moving from a shed/garage to the main house." The alarm of fire came at 1pm Monday and eight members of the Herrick Department responded to the extremely rural section of Shelby County, about 90 miles Northeast of St. Louis. Following reports of a working fire, a mutual aid request brought three additional firefighters to the scene. "Everyone was busy working to keep the fire from moving to the house,' Wasson noted, 'and it wasn't until a short time later that other firefighters noticed that Wilson was missing." Working on the hoseteam below were Wilson's wife (a fire captain) and his son (a firefighter). "Apparently, Don went through the roof while everyone was busy fighting the blaze" Wasson said. On Wedneday results of an autopsy had not yet been released, pending further investigation. The department in Herrick operates as a Fire Protection District, funded by tax dollars and some contributions. Wasson himself purchased the department's most recent pumper. "Our total annual budget is $16,000" he said. "We don't have decent equipment, we have to beg and borrow' Wasson continued, 'Nearly all of our members are wearing used protective clothing." At the time of the interview Wasson wasn't certain what death benefits would be available to Wilson's wife and son. The Illinois Firemen's Benefit Association was working with Herrick to provide immediate financial relief for the Wilson family. The department carries no life insurance on its membership. The department plans a full honors funeral at 11am on Friday in Herrick. Wilson, a Vietnam veteran, will receive full military honors during interment. Herrick, Illinois is located north of Interstate 70, near Vandalia. for further information contact: firetv@aol.com