United States Fire Administration
17 December 2024
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Ralph Meyer, 72, of the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company on 4 December 2024.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Firefighter Ralph Meyer responded to the scene of a structure fire. He then returned home. The next morning, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, he suffered a heart attack and was immediately transported to the local hospital where he passed away. Firefighter Meyer previously served as the fire chief and his son is currently the Chief.
Age: 72
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: Dec. 3, 2024 11:30 PM
Date of death: Dec. 4, 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 60.
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 Napoleon Volunteer Fire Company/Facebook.
Data Not Drama 