Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Donald R. Lam

Rank: Firefighter/Forest Ranger Technician

Age: 58

Gender: Male

Status: Career

Years of Service: 12

Date of Incident: 09/07/2010

Time of Incident: 1138hrs

Date of Death: 02/17/2011

Fire Department: Kentucky Division of Forestry

Address: 627 Comanche Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601

Fire Department Chief: Director Leah MacSwords

Incident Description: Firefighter Lam passed away from injuries sustained while engaged in fire suppression activities for the Scotts Chapel Road Fire, a 12-acre wildfire that occurred in Livingston County, Kentucky, in September, 2010.

Firefighter Lam was clearing a fire break for containment at the base of a bluff when a burning snag broke loose on top and rolled downhill over a small bluff and struck Lam from behind.  Firefighter Lam was knocked out and sustained a serious head injury that left him unconscious, a fractured hip, bruises, and 2nd degree leg burns on his calves.

Incident Location:

Scotts Chapel Road, Livingston County, KY

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: First Southern National Bank, Friends of Don Lam Account, P.O. Box 379, Princeton, KY  42445

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter/Forest Ranger Technician Donald R. Lam at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 20 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 17 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and three from previous year’s incidents.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm