USFA On-Duty Death: North Carolina

United States Fire Administration
18 August 2021

EMMITSBURG, Maryland – The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Lieutenant Willie Bunch, 57, of the Oak City Fire and Rescue Department on 16 August 2021.

While on-duty at the fire department, Lieutenant Willie Bunch contracted COVID-19. He passed away from the virus on Monday, August 16, 2021.

Age: 57
Rank: Lieutenant
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: July 21, 2021 8:54 a.m.
Date of death: August 16, 2021
Cause of death: Exposure
Nature of death: Covid-19
Activity type: In-Station Duties
Emergency duty: No
Duty type: Other On-Duty
Fixed property use: Store/Office

The number of on-duty deaths for 2021 currently is 71.

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations. View more posts