United States Fire Administration
15 October
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann, 17, of the A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company on 21 September.
On September 20, 2026, at approximately 2:09 p.m., A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Co. was dispatched for mutual aid to an automatic fire alarm at a residence. Following the dispatch, Junior Firefighter Bryce Kaufmann began responding in connection with the incident by bicycle. While responding, Junior Firefighter Kaufmann was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in critical injuries. At approximately 2:12 p.m., a neighboring fire department was dispatched to the accident scene. Emergency personnel responded and provided immediate medical care before transporting Junior Firefighter Kaufmann to a medical facility for further treatment. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel and medical staff, Junior Firefighter Kaufmann succumbed to his injuries on September 21, 2026.
Age: 17
Rank: Junior Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: Sep. 20, 2026 2:11 PM
Date of death: Sep. 21, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Vehicle Collision – Includes Aircraft
Nature of fatal injury: Trauma
Activity type: Driving/Riding Personal Vehicle
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: Responding
Fixed property use: Residential
The number of on-duty deaths for 2026 is currently 64.
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 Allegheny County Fire Academy/Facebook.
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