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In the line of duty?
Update October 3, 2008:
"Ronald W. Thomas, the Wellsville volunteer firefighter who died trying to save two drowning fishermen at a trout derby last year, has been posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for his bravery, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced Thursday.
"The medal comes just a couple of weeks after Thomas became the first recipient of New York State’s Volunteer of Valor award.
"Pittsburgh steelmaker and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie started the fund in 1904 to recognize men and women who risk their lives while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. "
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/otherwny/story/453906.html
BELMONT, NY - Local volunteer firefighters are urging Allegany County lawmakers to pay death benefits to the family of fallen Wellsville firefighter Ron Thomas, who lost his life after he dove into the Genesee River to rescue someone else.
Mr. Thomas died on April 29, 2007, after he dove into the Genesee River to rescue someone who had fallen into the water during the Wellsville Trout Derby.
Shortly thereafter, state officials began investigating Mr. Thomas’s death, trying to determine whether or not he died in the line of duty. Had he been in the line of duty during his death, Mr. Thomas’ surviving family would be eligible for a death benefit package.
Now an administrative law judge in Rochester is determining if, in fact, Mr. Thomas’ family has benefits due to them. The decision is based around whether or not Mr. Thomas was responding to a call as a firefighter or acting on his own when he attempted the rescue.
(County Fire Coordinator) Gallman is arguing that in an emergency situation, a responsible firefighter may not necessarily wait for the tones that indicate an emergency situation. Mr. Thomas had been an eyewitness to several people falling into the water.
“There is a thin borderline between what is on duty and what is not, I grant that,” Mr. Gallman said. “In a case where they actually act, they should be on duty. You can’t wait for the tone if your watching the act in front of you.”
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Katie; two sons, Scott and Ryan; his mother, Esther Thomas; his foster father, Theodore Bliven; and a niece and nephew.
He was a 35-year member of the Dyke Street Engine Company, where he was a past captain and an officer.
In May 2008 the court decided that FF Thomas did in fact die in the line of duty, and his family was awarded the death benefit package.
"Ronald W. Thomas, the Wellsville volunteer firefighter who died trying to save two drowning fishermen at a trout derby last year, has been posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for his bravery, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced Thursday.
"The medal comes just a couple of weeks after Thomas became the first recipient of New York State’s Volunteer of Valor award.
"Pittsburgh steelmaker and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie started the fund in 1904 to recognize men and women who risk their lives while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. "
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/otherwny/story/453906.html
BELMONT, NY - Local volunteer firefighters are urging Allegany County lawmakers to pay death benefits to the family of fallen Wellsville firefighter Ron Thomas, who lost his life after he dove into the Genesee River to rescue someone else.
Mr. Thomas died on April 29, 2007, after he dove into the Genesee River to rescue someone who had fallen into the water during the Wellsville Trout Derby.
Shortly thereafter, state officials began investigating Mr. Thomas’s death, trying to determine whether or not he died in the line of duty. Had he been in the line of duty during his death, Mr. Thomas’ surviving family would be eligible for a death benefit package.
Now an administrative law judge in Rochester is determining if, in fact, Mr. Thomas’ family has benefits due to them. The decision is based around whether or not Mr. Thomas was responding to a call as a firefighter or acting on his own when he attempted the rescue.
(County Fire Coordinator) Gallman is arguing that in an emergency situation, a responsible firefighter may not necessarily wait for the tones that indicate an emergency situation. Mr. Thomas had been an eyewitness to several people falling into the water.
“There is a thin borderline between what is on duty and what is not, I grant that,” Mr. Gallman said. “In a case where they actually act, they should be on duty. You can’t wait for the tone if your watching the act in front of you.”
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Katie; two sons, Scott and Ryan; his mother, Esther Thomas; his foster father, Theodore Bliven; and a niece and nephew.
He was a 35-year member of the Dyke Street Engine Company, where he was a past captain and an officer.
In May 2008 the court decided that FF Thomas did in fact die in the line of duty, and his family was awarded the death benefit package.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by J.R. Fitzgerald on
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If your in this line of work to wait for the call to come in then you probably need to find another line of work.
As Capt 723 stated the poeple who make these laws dont realize that if the tables turn & they are the ones needin the help, that the laws that they made would be ignored then to. Was Mr. Thomas acting Officialy? Who cares!!!! IF YOUR A FIREFIGHTER THEN YOUR ON DUTY 24/7. But thats my opinion.
Was the dept. called out on this incedent? Personally I think that his family should get death benifits.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Meckler # 575 on
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chalk one up for the good guys!
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Terry i could not have said it better. Thanks from everyone of us that put or lives on the line every minute of everyday.
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Permalink Reply by Scott on
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On behalf of the Wellsville Fire Department I would like to thank everyone for thier support during this tough time. Our Department has pulled strong and are being a tough sholder for the Thomas family. The following is the press Release from the Wellsville Fire Department:
Report on the Line of Duty Death Of Firefighter Ronald W. Thomas
At about 2:20 pm on April 29, 2007 Wellsville Fire Department Firefighter Ron Thomas and his son Ryan were participating in the annual Lions Club Trout Derby on the Genesee River just south of the Weidrick Road Bridge. Wellsville Fire Department Firefighter Thomas observed an adult fall into the water and over the water intake dam. The 16-year-old son of the man in the water attempted to reach his father when he too went over the dam and became trapped in the whirlpool action of the water. Firefighter Thomas recognized the emergency situation and responded to assist. While trying to reach the 16-year-old boy Ron entered the water to affect a rescue. During his heroic efforts Firefighter Thomas was also drawn into the whirlpool effect of the water. Ryan Thomas then entered the water to assist his father and the 16-year-old boy. Several others assisted in the rescue effort and succeeded in retrieving everyone except Firefighter Thomas who remained trapped in the whirlpool. He subsequently became free of the whirlpool effect and was rescued by other responders. Efforts to resuscitate Firefighter Thomas continued until he was pronounced dead at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Firefighter Ronald W. Thomas was 56 years of age and leaves behind his wife Sue, daughter Katie, sons, Scott and Ryan. He was a 35-year member of the Dyke Street Engine Company #2 of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department.
An autopsy is scheduled and the incident is under investigation by the New York State Police.
Issued by Fire Chief David Pinney
The Law Judge has givin the Family an offer and they are in arbatration about that now. Thank you all for your support.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Bumping this up with an update to this case.
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