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Connecticut Fire Explorer Killed While Riding to Car Crash
CHIEF BILLY GOLDFEDER
FirefighterCloseCalls.com, Reprinted with Permission
While naturally, no one can yet determine if it will be declared federally as an official LODD, we have been advised that a Fire Explorer in West Haven (CT) was killed after he was struck by an SUV, as he was going to a car crash run on Monday. The Fire Explorer was 14 year old Ralph Russo of West Haven.
Russo was riding his bike with a friend when they reportedly headed to a dispatched car crash, when Russo was tragically struck by a Jeep. Efforts to save his life were not successful and he died from his injuries. Russo was a middle school student and a part of the Fire Explorer program in West Haven. The SUV driver involved was obeying all traffic laws and is not facing any charges.
This appears to be a very tragic accident involving a fine and wonderful community minded teenager who loved many things-including his role at the WHFD. And while the issue of LODD/non-LODD is an emotional one, you will remember the case of Junior Firefighter Chris Kangas from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, who lost his life in what appears to be a similar fashion, just a few years ago. That claim as an LODD was denied by PSOB...but has been challenged and is now in the hands of the Courts. Here are some detailson that incident.
The issue and definition of what an LODD is, and what it is not, is dependent upon who you ask. At first glance it seems clear, but it isn't. For example, the PSOB folks at DOJ, who are the bottom line as far as benefits, have their definitions. Furthermore, the NFPA has their definitions of an LODD, while the USFA and NFFF have theirs. And at the local level, there are also diverse local definitions.
There are many "Junior" members who play an important role in providing service much the same as there are many very "Senior" members, who as active members of their FD, also play critical roles locally....all whose services are very important. All good people wanting to help.
Personally, we see a significant difference in various, yet all tragic LODD's, as examples:
Don't read into this -- these are all horrible losses of wonderful people who just wanted to help-and are all LODD's as defined by most.
The one thing that is clear and well defined is that these are terrible, local-duty related losses to those who knew/loved them ...and those who are left behind. The PSOB folks and the Courts will figure out the rest. What we can do-especially at the local level, is to take the action at all rank levels (Chief to Probie) to PREVENT the need for the LODD/Non-LODD debates...meaning to take local action to eliminate the unnecessary LODD's.
We will never eliminate all LODD's because sometimes, as sad as it sounds, Firefighters must, on rare occasion, lose their lives in heroic manners. Sometimes we get killed in the Line of Duty where it was NOT preventable and sometimes, we tragically die when doing the job...Not Everyone Goes Home.
But those numbers are the small numbers...the clear minority. It's the numerous tragic, but sometimes so obvious and unnecessary "that didn't have to happen" big number LODD's that we are talking about. That's where it can be managed and where change can happen. Giving credit to the late politician Tip O'Neil, who stated that "All politics are local"..it also applies to us, that "All LODD Prevention Is Local"... from the Chief to the Probie.
Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to all affected, but especially the family of WHFD Explorer Ralph Russo on the horrible loss of a fine young man who just wanted to help.
Related Coverage
FirefighterCloseCalls.com, Reprinted with Permission
While naturally, no one can yet determine if it will be declared federally as an official LODD, we have been advised that a Fire Explorer in West Haven (CT) was killed after he was struck by an SUV, as he was going to a car crash run on Monday. The Fire Explorer was 14 year old Ralph Russo of West Haven.
Russo was riding his bike with a friend when they reportedly headed to a dispatched car crash, when Russo was tragically struck by a Jeep. Efforts to save his life were not successful and he died from his injuries. Russo was a middle school student and a part of the Fire Explorer program in West Haven. The SUV driver involved was obeying all traffic laws and is not facing any charges.
This appears to be a very tragic accident involving a fine and wonderful community minded teenager who loved many things-including his role at the WHFD. And while the issue of LODD/non-LODD is an emotional one, you will remember the case of Junior Firefighter Chris Kangas from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, who lost his life in what appears to be a similar fashion, just a few years ago. That claim as an LODD was denied by PSOB...but has been challenged and is now in the hands of the Courts. Here are some detailson that incident.
The issue and definition of what an LODD is, and what it is not, is dependent upon who you ask. At first glance it seems clear, but it isn't. For example, the PSOB folks at DOJ, who are the bottom line as far as benefits, have their definitions. Furthermore, the NFPA has their definitions of an LODD, while the USFA and NFFF have theirs. And at the local level, there are also diverse local definitions.
There are many "Junior" members who play an important role in providing service much the same as there are many very "Senior" members, who as active members of their FD, also play critical roles locally....all whose services are very important. All good people wanting to help.
Personally, we see a significant difference in various, yet all tragic LODD's, as examples:
- A member losing their life while attempting the search or rescue of trapped victims at a fire.
- A member being ejected because they chose to not wear their seat belt.
- A member driving who blows a red traffic signal/stop sign.
- A member lost in an unoccupied structure that was a write off upon their entry.
- A member working out and having a heart attack.
- A member lost during a fire training burn.
- A member struck while operating on a scene...as well as the many other LODD's (which these all are) that fall on all ranges of the wide scale of definition.
Don't read into this -- these are all horrible losses of wonderful people who just wanted to help-and are all LODD's as defined by most.
The one thing that is clear and well defined is that these are terrible, local-duty related losses to those who knew/loved them ...and those who are left behind. The PSOB folks and the Courts will figure out the rest. What we can do-especially at the local level, is to take the action at all rank levels (Chief to Probie) to PREVENT the need for the LODD/Non-LODD debates...meaning to take local action to eliminate the unnecessary LODD's.
We will never eliminate all LODD's because sometimes, as sad as it sounds, Firefighters must, on rare occasion, lose their lives in heroic manners. Sometimes we get killed in the Line of Duty where it was NOT preventable and sometimes, we tragically die when doing the job...Not Everyone Goes Home.
But those numbers are the small numbers...the clear minority. It's the numerous tragic, but sometimes so obvious and unnecessary "that didn't have to happen" big number LODD's that we are talking about. That's where it can be managed and where change can happen. Giving credit to the late politician Tip O'Neil, who stated that "All politics are local"..it also applies to us, that "All LODD Prevention Is Local"... from the Chief to the Probie.
Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to all affected, but especially the family of WHFD Explorer Ralph Russo on the horrible loss of a fine young man who just wanted to help.
Related Coverage
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on
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This is truly a sad case!
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Smith on
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Being an explorer I'm sure my reply will be looked at differently than the "old guys". I am 17, 18 in May. I believe response should be based on the maturity level not age. Now I'm not saying let mature 10 yr olds go, but set a minimum age like 15 or something and make sure they can handle the responsablilites. It's intresting to see how an incident like this brings a "new respect" for Juniors/Explorers. My opinion is biast, but I think this should be a LODD. I just think this should cause some departments to re-visit their explorer response guidelines.
Be Safe, God Bless.
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Permalink Reply by Dale on
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this is a sad thing to see, and i see it as a horible thing seeing im a Explorer as well,
should have he been responding on his own? NO, on a bike? Hell no..
but as far as the pension and ff memorial i have no room to talk
RIP
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Also I think this case was not an LODD only because the fire explorers are an afterschool program for us that want to "become" firefighters. Also he didnt have the right gear for a scene so he wouldn't of able to be on the scene in the first place... R.I.P RALPH 5-5-08
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Permalink Reply by morris washburn on
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First thing ! My deepest regrets to all the Families whom lost a member in the fire service , whether its a 14 yr old or a 85 yr old , we all do the job together . My oldest son started out at 14 or 15 as a Jr. FF. and I am dam proud of him , now I have a 14 yrold whom is doing the same but "I am "the 1 whom is responsible for him ,not the FIRE DEPT. MY chief has told me IF he could he would have more 14 yrs.old join. As long as the by-laws state the 14 yr. old is a member and DOES respond !! THen they should HAVE the same benifites as a full time Fire Fighter ,payed / Volunteer. I make my youngest son to wait and see who shows up , then IF needed ,he rides in last truck out . but If " I "think we can use him on 1st due !! then he goes with me !! I am for a JR.FF in all dept. they can roll ,lay hose , change scba's bottles ,backboards , stokes or whatever you need. As far I see if a past or present Chief can be a JR. FF so can anybody that has the heart for it be 1 . SO in mind over all GIVE THOSE BOYS thier benifits !!!!! They gave thier life to learn so give back to thier families !
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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My sincerely condolences go out to the Russo Family. May this fine young man rest in peace.
Keep in mind people that a BSA Fire Explorer Program and a fire department's home made Junior Program are two completely different things. In my department, we have BSA Fire Explorer Program. None of them are member's of my fire department, they are not covered under our insurance and this would not be considered a LODD because they have no duty to act for the fire department under the PSOB laws.
Regardless of ages and maturity of a member, a BSA Explorer Program is a career development-training program. They are allowed to ride-a-long and watch operations but so does an EMT/Paramedic clinical student, should they be a LODD when an accident occurs? No, they are simply not public safety officers.
Now as for homemade Junior programs, I would bet many muncipal town administrators (Fire Chief's bosses) do not know they have 14 year olds racing to the station or emergency scenes. I am pretty sure the town would have an issue with, Are they or are they not an official member? Do they meet the requirements? and are they willing to take responsibility for the kids actions? Most often the answer is NO to all the above but fire chief's assume stuff like this will never happen to them.
Godspeed Ralph
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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I am surprised that no one has mentioned Chris Kangas yet, so I will. If you recall, he was struck and killed in a very similar manner. Read this:
May 5, 2002- Christopher Kangas, a 14 year old Junior Firefighter with Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Company was struck and killed by a car while bicycling to the fire station in response to a fire call. In the period following his death, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized FF Kangas as a Firefighter, and also recognized that his death occurred while in the line of duty. Although recognized by the State, the Federal government ruled that FF Kangas did not meet the criteria to be recognized as a firefighter, therefore denying him a place on the Memorial Wall at the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmittsburg, Maryland. FF Kangas' mother appealed this decision to the Department of Justice, who has jurisdiction over this matter.
Christopher Kangas Updates
Family Loses Fight To Recognize Son As Firefighter
http://cbs3.com/video/?id=38734@kyw.dayport.com (direct link of the news broadcast)
(CBS 3) BROOKHAVEN, Pa. After an almost five year battle to have their son recognized as a firefighter, a family from Delaware County has lost their fight.
14-year-old Christopher Kangas, a volunteer firefighter at the Brookhaven Fire Department, was riding his bike to a fire in 2002 when he was struck and killed by a car.
"When he was little, he wanted to be a firefighter; it just meant the world to him," Christopher's mother Julie Amber-Messick said.
On the line has been the honor Christopher earned dying as well as the federal benefits for his mother. Christopher's mom has lost her fight for $225,000 in federal death benefits.
"Very sad, disappointed, not just for Chris but for everyone," Amber-Messick said.
State laws limit junior firefighters, who are minors, to such activities as training, first aid and clean-up.
The Federal Circuit of Appeals in Washington ruled he was not directly involved in suppression of fires and did not die in the line of duty.
The court ruled 2 to 1 that Chris could not technically be considered a firefighter and therefore not eligible for the death benefits.
"More than 50-percent of all volunteer firemen start out as junior firefighters and this decision today unfortunately sends a message that is going to be to the exact opposite of what Congress intended," Frank Daly, attorney for the Kangas' said.
Because of the decision, Christopher will no longer be recognized as a firefighter on the National Memorial for Fallen Firefighters in Maryland.
"There's no reason why somebody that’s a junior, why is he not protected and everybody else is, it doesn’t make any sense," Chief Rob Montella said.
Kangas' family said they are willing to take their battle to the Supreme Court.
Chris' tragic death should have been the wake up call.
We ALL feel badly about this, but what we should also feel is an overwhelming desire to STOP non-members from responding and unless an explorer program SPECIFICALLY states that an explorer has FULL membership with ALL privileges awarded to a full member, then THEY ARE NOT!
We can accord them all of the honors. Unfortunately, we don't control the PSOBs.
TCSS.
Art
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Art, it was not mentioned by me as it was mentioned in the original post by Chief Billy Goldfeder. I will revert back to the latter part of my original post...
Most fire chief's or their bosses have no clue what is covered or choose to not know...
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