United States Fire Administration
13 November 2023
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Fire Sergeant Thomas Petschke, Jr., 53, of Ballardsville Fire and Rescue on 11 November 2023.
On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, Fire Sergeant Thomas Petschke, Jr. was at the scene of a residential fire that had expanded into the woods. While battling the brush fire, he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. He was immediately treated and transported to the local hospital where he later passed away.
Age: 53
Rank: Fire Sergeant
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: November 11, 2023 3:00 p.m.
Date of death: November 11, 2023
Cause of fatal injury: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of fatal injury: Heart Attack
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2023 currently is 72.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2023.
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.”
Data Not Drama 