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Fire Fighter Down Jonathan Blunk , Firefighter/EMT Killed in the Colorado theater shooting.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Don H Whitman on
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You all heard about the guy that died in the shooting Friday after throwing himself in front of his Girl friend, saving her life, Well he was one of ours. Thank You and God Bless
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Permalink Reply by Moose on
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I just saw that on the news this morning before work, they didnt mention he was a firefighter in the report and hearing this now makes it more depressing. He gave his life to save his girlfriend, and should be remembered as a hero.
Rest in peace, may your kids find comfort and peace in this time of their need, and may your memory live on in their lives.
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Permalink Reply by Andy on
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What a Hero!! As a FF we try to save lives and as Ive heard many times before, If you are a FF, you are a FF 24 hours a day!! He saved his girlfriends life in a emergency scene..... Is that a LODD? Probably should be....
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It looks like he was a volunteer FF/EMT who was between departmants due to a move.
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Yes 27/7 LODD
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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While no doubt the actions here were couragous, I would highly doubt the LODD status. A LODD does have parameters and does revolve around official duty and 24 hours after. Unless he was put on duty and acting in the course of his duties at the time of the shooting, conveying a LODD status is quite slim.
While I won't completely rule out such a status being conveyed, I just don't see the parameters being met. I doubt he was on a duty status at the time of the shooting and acting in the capacity of a FF, nor do I see the shooting as a relation of firefighting duties from 24 hours prior. So while the actions he did were courageous and he saved lives, so did many other of the victims. There were also 2 military servicemen who were also killed, and I would doubt that a combat designation would be conveyed upon them.
Now there could be some reasoning to convey a LODD, but it would take some work to obtain this. I believe there was a volly NY FF who may have been conveyed the honor after perishing in the Twin Towers on 9/11......maybe it wasn't classified that way either, I just recall hearing discussion on it. Yet at the same time there have been a few LODD that have been bestowed which are quite questionable. One incident for two are the young FFs from N. Carolina (I think) who were racing on the highway after fire training at a burn tower. A driver lost control of the vehicle and 2 young FFs were killed. That was classed as a LODD because they were directly leaving a dept training and perhaps still considered on duty until return to their jurisdiction. However, I disagree with that aspect, considering the circumstances of the incident, but they were classed LODD.
IMO, I disagree with this "always on duty" type of mantra, you aren't. While one can utilize their training and may act in emergency circumstances while not on official duty, there really is no "on duty 24/7" aspect at hand. It comes down to an individual decision. Same thing with leaving one's jurisdiction, having a drink, or selecting calls to respond to, there really is no "always on duty".
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I am sure that in reality that this does not fall under the heading of LODD. I
think that folks were just saying that his actions were heroic and deserving of
praise.There is the law and policy world and there is the real word IMHO this kid is a hero and I don't throw that word around alot. I don't expect the pencil pushers to call this a LODD, but I would think that the rest of us, could show him that respect.
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I think that folks were just saying that his actions were heroic and deserving of praise.
Not to diminish this person's actions, but why single out one person when there were so many people from all sorts of backgrounds who stepped up and performed heroically?
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Certainly not to diminish the unselfish act but...according to the linked article, while Jonathon Blunk was identified as a 'certified firefighter' he was not identified as belonging to any fire department.
As John pointed out, there were other heroic acts besides this one. Simply because he was a 'certified' firefighter' doesn't entitle him to a LODD status. Let's just acknowledge that a person died in the act of saving another. Firefighters are not gods, nor are we inherently heroic, but what Jonathon Blunk did deserves our respect.
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Holy shit guys...a man dies protecting his family, Mr Whitman finds out he was a firefighter and wanted to say his peace, and you guys turn it into a pissing match about LODD honors...only here on the nation.
Guys, I agree, this is not a LODD, he was not performing firefighting duties, he was not on his way home from firefighting duties, and yes there were other heros that day as well, but this topic is about this particular gentleman who threw himself on his girlfriend to shield her and saved her life...he is a hero in my eyes and I think we need more people like him in this world. He has two kids who now have no father because some sicko walked into a theatre playing the roll of the "Joker" and made him protect his loved one...this world is getting worse, and my wife wants to bring another child into it...I dont know if I want to.
Stay Safe all.
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Moose,
Regardless of your personal sentiments here the topic of LODD was made by another member and thus becomes pertinent discussion topic. Just because one was a FF, doesn't mean it is a LODD, perhaps people don't know nor understand the parameters involved. Is this site not about educating each other? Are we not supposed to make such comments because of the subject nor topic because it may hurt feelings?
but this topic is about this particular gentleman who threw himself on his girlfriend to shield her and saved her life...he is a hero in my eyes and I think we need more people like him in this world
Case in point of my sentiments here, especially the italicized portion, because quite simpley, there were more people just like him. There were in fact many more just like him, some who also perished, some who were injured and some lucky ones who escaped unscathed......hence the point of why focusing on one just because they were a certified FF?
I do not diminish nor feign off Jonathon Blunk's actions and sacrifice for others, but this was not a single individual acting alone, there were others doing the same thing. Do we focus on a single FDNY actions from 9/11 without regards to the similar sacrfifice of 342 others, not to mention the actions of those who survived? That is my point here. Yes, this person was a certified FF and sure it is up to the OP to start the topic to reflect on the actions and sacrifice of this person. I personally do not share the same sentiment about a single person when there were others who should also be recognized and honored as well.
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Permalink Reply by FFN WebTeam on
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Regarding official "on-duty death" status as defined by the USFA, and with the NFFF, Blunk's death has not be considered as such. We have inquired and will let you know when an official decision is made.
FFN
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