Firefighter Fatality

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

Name: Jeffery Alan Cocke

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 59

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 39

Date of Incident: 08/01/2011

Time of Incident: 1900hrs

Date of Death: 08/04/2011

Fire Department: Altavista Fire Department

Address: PO Box 208, 510 Seventh ST, Altavista, VA 24517

Fire Department Chief: John Tucker

Fire Department Website: http://www.altavistafire.com/

Incident Description: Firefighter Cocke suffered a pulmonary embolism within 24 hours of responding to two fire incident calls, one outdoor and one residential fire.  After being treated and released from the hospital, Cocke returned two days later exhibiting symptoms when he passed away from his injury.

Incident Location: Barclay Lane, Altavista, VA

Funeral Arrangements: 08/07/2011

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: The family suggests those wishing to make memorials give to one of the following: Altavista Fire Company, P.O. Box 208, Altavista, VA 24517; and/or, Lane Memorial United Methodist Church, 1201 Bedford Avenue, Altavista, VA 24517.

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

To date, 59 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 54 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and five from previous years’ 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.