United States Fire Administration
15 July 2025
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Chief James Sitek, 68, of the West Colesville Fire Company on 4 July 2025.
During the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, Chief James Sitek responded to a house fire. While on scene, Chief Sitek reported that he was not feeling well and collapsed shortly after. Emergency personnel immediately provided care. Chief Sitek was transported to the hospital. Despite efforts from medical professionals, he was pronounced deceased that morning.
Age: 68
Rank: Chief
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: July 4, 2025 2:00 AM
Date of death: July 4, 2025
Cause of fatal injury: Unknown
Nature of fatal injury: Unknown
Activity type: Unknown
Emergency duty: No
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential
The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 is currently 44.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2025.
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.”
Photo courtesy of DeMunn Funeral Home.
Data Not Drama 