U.S. Fire Administration

The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the official line of duty death of Firefighter Alan M. Hermel, 62, of the Bossier Parish Fire District 1 (LA), on March 3, 2009.

On March 1, 2009 at 1810 hours, Firefighter Hermel responded to a report of a vehicle into a power pole. Upon his arrival on scene, he was assigned to assist with traffic control. The incident was terminated at 1823 hours and Firefighter Hermel cleared the incident scene. On March 2, 2009 at 0248 hours, the fire department and EMS were summoned to Firefighter Hermel’s residence and found him unable to ambulate or speak. Care was initiated and he was transported to the local hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered an inter-cranial bleed. He was then transferred to a larger hospital where he underwent surgery at 0700 hours and again at 1800 hours. He succumbed to his injuries at 0447 hours on March 3, 2009.

Funeral Arrangements:
Not reported

Memorial Fund Contact and Address:
Not reported

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Alan M. Hermel at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 48 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2009; 47 from incidents that occurred in 2009 and one from a previous year incident. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats....