CFD LODD’s
Firefighter Kent Furman Long
Engine Company 23
Died on Duty December 1 2006
It is with great regret that the Charlotte Fire Department announces the sudden Line-of-duty death of firefighter Kent F. Long, just before 6:00 pm Friday, December 01, 2006. Kent Furman Long, 44 years old collapsed at Charlotte Fire (Station # 23 A). Kent Long suffered a cardiac arrest while exercising at the station Friday. Fellow brother firefighters began immediate resuscitation efforts along with the Medic crew that was duty at Fire Station #23. Firefighter Kent Long was quickly transported to Carolinas Medical Center where continued efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Engineer Mark T. Franklin
Engine Company 2
Died November 30th, 2003
Died as a result of an injury sustained at a fire
Mark suffered an on the job injury on April 18, 2003 while operating at a working structure fire. He had suffered a knee injury at the fire. He underwent knee surgery in October 2003 and died from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) as a result of the surgery on November 30th, 2003.
Captain Michael Wayne Copeland
Engine Company 30
Died January 25th, 2003
Died while on duty
On January 23rd, Captain Copeland and his crew from Engine Company 30 were participating in a live burn exercise. During the drill, Captain Copeland became ill and went into cardiac arrest. Despite valiant efforts from his brothers and MEDIC he was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Firefighter Joshua Brandon Earley
Engine Company 27
Died March 6th, 2002
Killed while on duty
On Monday, March 4th, 2002 Firefighter Josh Earley who is assigned to Engine 27 had just left his job at Charlotte to work at his part-time job as a firefighter with Harrisburg Fire Department. Harrisburg Fire Rescue was dispatched to a report of a house fire at 10334 Harrisburg Road. Upon the arrival of the Fire Department the house had heavy fire and smoke showing with people possibly trapped. The interior crew went into the side door and got about five feet into the doorway and decided to back out because the floor was "spongy" feeling. When Captain Brad Christopher reached to Firefighter Josh Earley to turn around and exit the building, they both fell into the basement. Captain Brad Christopher was able to grab the threshold of the door to pull himself out and help Captain James Greene and Firefighter Johnny Kiser pulled Firefighter Josh Earley out.
A second crew kept the flames off of Captain Brad Christopher, Captain James Greene, and Firefighter Johnny Kiser as they pulled him from the inferno. Josh was burned over 80% of his body and was transported to Carolinas Medical Center where he was stabilized and then flown to the Burn Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. After valiantly fighting for his life for three days, Josh succumbed to his injuries. He was given a full Charlotte Fire Department funeral with honors that was attended by several thousand firefighters and citizens.
Captain Marshall Pettus
Died March 19, 1968
Killed while on duty
Assistant Chief James M. Munday
Died March 6, 1955
Died while on duty
Firefighter Pruitt L. Black
Engine Company 4
Died April 1, 1934
Killed while on duty
Firefighter Pruitt had pulled an extra shift at Station 4 and Engine 4 had been very busy that night. An alarm came in and he got out of bed. He tripped getting on his bunker pants and fell head first down the pole hole. He died later that day of a fractured skull.
Firefighter Joe S. Westnedge
Engine Company 7
Died March 6, 1934
Killed while responding to an alarm
Firefighter Westnedge was responding to a house fire at 117 South Cecil Street. He was riding the running board on Engine 7 when the Engineer swerved to avoid hitting another firefighter. The engine careened through the intersection, jumped the curb and pinned Firefighter Westnedge between the pump panel and a tree. He died instantly at the scene.
Captain R.E. Mendenhall
Engine Company 3
Died May 17, 1928
Killed while responding to an alarm
At 0425 Engine 3 responded to assist the county. Enroute to the call Engine 3 collided with a grocery truck on Concord Highway. Captain Mendenahll was ejected from the fire truck and was declared dead at the scene.
Firefighter W. Graham Cathey
Fire Alarm
Died February 8, 1928
Killed while on duty
Firefighter Cathey was a member of the Fire Department's line crew, responsible for maintaining the fire alarm system. He was killed when the telephone pole that he was on snapped. He rode the pole down and it landed on top of him. This occured at the corner of Randolph and Caswell Road. He was 23 years old and described as an outstanding firefighter.
Captain George Spittle
Died February 16, 1917
Killed while responding to an alarm
The fire engine collided with a street car at the intersection of East Park Avenue and South Boulevard. Eight firefighters were also injured in this accident.
Captain W.B. Glenn
Engine Company 2
Died July 1, 1914
Killed while operating at a working fire
Captain Glenn was killed when a large dynamite explosion occurred at a fire on South Cedar Street.
Chief J. Harvey Wallace
Chief of Department
Died July 1, 1914
Killed while operating at a working fire
Chief Wallace was killed when a large dynamite explosion occurred at a fire on South Cedar Street.
