* Not officially announced by the USFA due to the federal government shutdown, but likely based on similar past on-duty deaths.
By Bill Carey
3 October 2025
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Bristol Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Clawson suffered a medical emergency at a city fire station on Oct. 1 and later died, a city spokesperson confirmed.
“Firefighter Clawson was on duty at the station at the time, though this tragic event did not occur in the course of a fire department call for service,” a spokesperson told WJHL. “We ask that the community keep all his loved ones, including both his family at home and his family in the fire-rescue service, in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate such a difficult and unexpected loss.”
The Bristol Professional Firefighters Association said Brandon was a devoted firefighter and a cherished member of both the department and the community.
The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 is currently 68.
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 Bristol TN Professional Firefighters Association/Facebook.
Data Not Drama 