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This afternoon, two of our local firefighters (Kilgore) died in a training accident. Details are sketchy, and it's unsure if it was operator error, or equipment failure, but either a ladder truck or snorkle truck (with bucket) was possibly involved. Two died "at the hospital" from injuries sustained in a fall, and two more were hospitalized for injuries.

Even though I am one of 5 commissioners on our (Rusk) County Emergency Services District board, this department is a municipal department that only "contracts" to our county ESD so I am not privy to information, and our board will most likely have little, if any, involvement. Had it been one of our nine volunteer departments I would not be sitting here in front of this computer at the moment.

Having been an active firefighter, both volunteer and professional, many years ago, I still consider these guys "brothers". I did not personally know either of them, but still feel a tremendous loss. I never gave much thought to the "what if's" while training or on an active scene until many years later. In retrospect I can see the imminent danger these guys put themselves in on a daily basis.

This is just a terrible thing to happen.

May God Rest Their Souls, and Give Peace to Their Families and Fellow Firefighters"


surv