A veteran Colerain Township, Ohio fire captain and a firefighter were killed Friday morning as they searched a burning house. Initial reports indicate the pair may have fallen through the floor after entering the structure as the first-in crew, Capt. Steve Conn said in a press conference.
The victims have been identified as Captain Robin Broxterman, 37 and Firefighter Brian Schira, 29. Broxterman was the department's first female captain and the mother of two. Local news outlets reported that she was engaged to a firefighter from another area department. (Post Condolences)
Schira was hired by the Colerian department in November, and was formerly with Delhi Township. His friends have begun posting condolences on his MySpace Profile, which indidates he is single. His interests included softball, weight lifting, going to concerns and riding his motorcycle. He also worked at Home Depot.
The first call came in just after 6 a.m. as a carbon monoxide/smoke detector alarm and while enroute crews were advised that it was now reported as a full structure fire with fire reported in the basement.
On arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions. They entered the home to search for additional victims and find the seat of the fire, Conn said. At some point, there was a "catastrophic structure failure" and the firefighters apparently fell through the floor to the basement. There was no radio contact from the crew.
A second alarm was sounded as the Mayday was called by command and rapid intervention crews went to work, locating the bodies about 30 minutes later, just after 7 a.m.
According to its Web site, The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS serves the largest township in Ohio. Colerain Township measures 43.5 square miles, abutting the northwest corner of Cincinnati, and serves over 60,000 residents. The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS, formed in 1975 through the combination of two volunteer departments then serving the area, remains on of the largest and busiest suburban departments in the state.
The last line of duty death for the department was in 1977.
En este momento de dolor y tristeza le enviamos a ambas familias toda la fuerza que podemeos enviar desde Temuco Chile, que esten tranquilos, por que ellos se encuentran descansando en los ya merecedidos cuarteles celestiales.
Capt. Robin Broxterman
Firefighter Brian Schira
SIEMPRE PRESENTES EN LAS MEMORIAS DE TODOS LOS BOMBEROS
The death of this Sister and Brother are felt by the Firefighters in Henry County KY. Our prayers are going up for Capt.Robin Broxterman and Firefighter Brian Schira for their life did matter.
God Bless or Fallen Brother and Sister. May He be with them now in the hour of their peace. Their deaths weren't for naught. Prayers for Capt Robin Broxterman and FireFighter Brian Schira and their families, friends and fellow firefighters from Stewart County VFS in Stewart County, TN.
From Waterville Fire & Rescue in Waterville Maine.
Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Captain Broxterman and Firefighter Schira.
God speed.
From Locust Fire and Rescue, Locust NC
God forbid this happen anywhere else, but we all know it will.
God bless the familys of all these brave firefighters and give there familys strenghth to
carry on.
Just remember one thing, "WE ARE THE CRAZY FEW RUNNING IN WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IS RUNNING OUT!!" Our thoughts and prayers go out to the ones that made thier last run. And to the loved ones left behind. No matter what they are still riding..
Gary Flanagan
Driver / Operator
Fort Rucker Fire Dept
Fort Rucker, Alabama