United States Fire Administration
16 December 2024
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Richard “Rick” Sanders, 48, of the Winchester Fire Department on 12 December 2024.
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Firefighter Richard “Rick” Sanders responded to a two-story residential structure fire. While operating at the scene, Firefighter Sanders began not feeling well. He was immediately taken to an ambulance, where he collapsed into cardiac arrest. He was then transported to St. Vincent Ascension Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Age: 48
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: Dec. 12, 2024
Date of death: Dec. 12, 2024
Cause of fatal injury: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of fatal injury: Cardiovascular Event (Heart Attack)
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential
The number of on-duty deaths for 2024 currently is 59.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2024.
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.”
Photograph courtesy of Walker Funeral Home.
Data Not Drama 