The United States Fire Administration added three firefighter fatalities in 2026 to the total number of on-duty deaths in 2025
By Bill Carey
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has added three on-duty deaths to its list of fallen firefighters from 2025. None of the deaths were traumatic fireground deaths, but were medical emergencies. The USFA’s total at the end of 2025 was 81. The report for that year has not been released.
Oddly, as of the notification of these updates and this writing, the USFA still shows a total of 81.
No.82
On 4 April 2024 [sic], Cambria Volunteer Fire Company Fire Police Captain Laurence Pude, 83, responded to the firehouse for a call. Pude opened the station and the bay doors and then, after the apparatus left, closed the station. The next day, Pude was assisting a neighboring department by directing traffic during a fundraising event. He collapsed, became unresponsive, and later died at a hospital.
Pude’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is Other.
No.83
On 22 August 2025, Pocatello Mount Fire Company Firefighter/EMT Joseph John Mazza Sr., 47, responded to an EMS call. The next day, 23 hours and 45 minutes after the EMS call, Mazza Sr. suffered a medical emergency at home and later died at a hospital.
Mazza Sr.’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is EMS/Patient Care.
No.84
On 21 September 2025, Eastport Fire Department Firefighter Keith Kostuk, 65, responded to a motor vehicle accident. Kostuk climbed down a 20- to 30-feet embankment to remove trees and gain access to the vehicle. He completed the task and climbed up the embankment. Later at home, Kotsuk experienced a cardiovascular event. He was transported to a hospital where he later died.
Kostuk’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and a Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
His activity type is Search and Rescue.
Stress/Overexertion accounted for 59% (48) of the 2025 on-duty deaths, noting that these latest additions are not included in the USFA’s summary report. Cardiovascular Events accounted for 56% (46).
The attention to the time elapsed after the call in Mazza Sr.’s notice highlights the inclusion of firefighter fatalities under the Hometown Heroes Act.
The Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act (Public Law 108-182) was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 15, 2003. It amends the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Act to presume that a fatal heart attack or stroke suffered by a public safety officer is in the line of duty if it occurs within 24 hours (bold mine) of engaging in non-routine, strenuous physical activity.
From 2015 to 2025, firefighter fatalities included under the Hometown Heroes Act accounted for 17% (178) of the total number of on-duty deaths (1,0160). During this period, the highest value was 23 (in 2016), and the lowest was 10 (in 2019, 2020, and 2021).
Photographs are courtesy of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the respective departments.
Data Not Drama 