By Bill Carey
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The middle of May 2026 saw more on-duty death notifications from the United States Fire Administration (USFA) as they catch up on firefighter fatalities reported during the partial government shutdown that affected the Department of Homeland Security.
I first posted these as they were reported in the news and as well as an earlier USFA update. The USFA’s current total is 25, but more are expected. To date, there are only two traumatic, interior line-of-duty deaths.
15 February, Oklahoma
Fire Inspector Aaron Wescott was working a 24-hour shift and responded to a medical emergency around 1:03 a.m. on Feb 15, 2026. Fire Inspector Wescott returned from the call and went back to his sleeping quarters. When he did not show up for roll call, fellow crew members checked on Fire Inspector Wescott in his dormitory room and found him unresponsive.
Wescott’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
27 February, Texas
Firefighter Jeffery Derrick responded with the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department to a grass fire. While battling the blaze, shifting winds changed the fire’s direction and the fire spread into high grass and pastureland where firefighters were working the fire lines. Derrick tried to make his way back to the fire department vehicle but became disoriented and was overcome by the fire.
Derrick’s cause and nature of death are Lost and Burns.
4 March, Georgia
On March 2, 2026, Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Reeves was found unresponsive at the fire station while working a 24-hour shift. Fellow crew members administered advanced lifesaving measures to Reeves and transported him to a local hospital. He spent two days in the hospital’s intensive care unit before passing away on March 4, 2026.
Reeves’ cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
11 March, Pennsylvania
On March 8, 2026, while preparing to leave his house in response to a motor vehicle accident, Fire Police Officer Todd Koch suffered a medical emergency. He was found unresponsive at his home shortly thereafter by his brother. EMS responded and administered lifesaving measures to Koch. He was then transported to a local hospital where, despite all efforts, he passed away on March 11, 2026.
Koch’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
15 March, North Carolina
On March 14, 2026, Administrative Chief Elton Ray Jacobs Sr. responded to several emergency calls. On March 15, 2026, and within 24 hours of responding to the medical incident, Jacobs suffered a cardiovascular event at home. Emergency personnel responded to the home and administered lifesaving measures to Administrative Chief Jacobs and subsequently transported him to a local hospital. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Jacob Sr.’s cause and nature of death are Stress/Overexertion and Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack.
17 March, Chicago
At the scene of a four-story apartment building fire, Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman was searching the structure when he fell from the collapsed first floor into the basement and suffered burns to approximately 90% of his body. Firefighter/EMT Altman was rescued and transported to a hospital where he passed away the following morning.
Altman’s cause and nature of death are Collapse and Burns. His activity type is Search.
4 April, Pennsylvania
While searching for a missing person, Fire Chief Jeffory Buck, along with Assistant Fire Chief Robert Shick Jr., were in a UTV traveling on the shoulder of a roadway. As another vehicle that was also traveling south approached the UTV, it went off the roadway and struck the UTV. Buck was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased from the fatal injuries sustained in the accident. Shick was also transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Buck’s and Schick Jr.’s cause and nature of death are Vehicle Collision and Trauma. Their activity type is Search.
9 April, Kansas
Assistant Fire Chief Carl “Levi” Evans suffered a medical emergency during fire department training. Evans was transported to a local hospital where he passed away early the following morning. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
23 April, Florida
Firefighter James Kevin Crews experienced a medical emergency while fighting a brushfire. Fellow responders administered lifesaving measures and transported Firefighter Crews to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has not been determined.
4 May, California
On April 29, 2026, during promotional testing while on duty, Fire Engineer Neil Schnaible suffered a cardiovascular event, fell, and struck his head. Schnaible was transported to a local medical center for treatment of the cardiovascular event. While there, it was discovered that he suffered multiple severe brain bleeds. He was then transported to an out-of-state medical center where, despite all efforts, he was pronounced deceased on May 4, 2026.
Schnaible’s cause and nature of death are Fall and Trauma.
Photograph courtesy of the author.
Data Not Drama 