United States Fire Administration
14 July 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Senior Firefighter Patrick Trout, 47, of the Detroit Fire Department on 5 January 2026.
While on duty from January 4, 2026, through January 5, 2026, Senior Firefighter Patrick Trout responded with Squad 4 to multiple emergency incidents, including a working structure fire. While operating inside the structure during fire suppression activities under conditions of heavy smoke and limited visibility, debris struck Senior Firefighter Trout on the head. Despite the impact, he continued performing firefighting duties and completed the incident with his crew.
After completing his shift, Senior Firefighter Trout returned home where he began experiencing severe headaches and head pain. Later that evening, his condition deteriorated, and emergency services were summoned to his home after he became unresponsive. Despite resuscitative efforts by responding police and fire personnel, Senior Firefighter Trout was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death was determined to be a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Age: 47
Rank: Senior Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: Jan. 4, 2026 3:30 PM
Date of death: Jan. 5, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Struck By
Nature of fatal injury: Trauma
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 2026 is currently 40.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2026.
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 the City of Detroit.
Data Not Drama 