Kansas Firefighter Added to On-duty Death List

[SeaBreeze]

Kansas Firefighter Added to On-duty Death List

Firehouse.Com News

The U.S. Fire Administration National Fallen Firefighters Database has added a Kansas volunteer who died fighting a fire June 10.

Hardtner, Kansas Firefighter Bruce Sternberger was electrocuted fighting a fire caused by lightning near his home in the early morning hours.

Earlier in the day he had worked a mutual aid call of a grass fire that burned 260 acres of wheat. At night, Sternberger called in an alarm to the fire department reporting that there had possibly been a lightning strike on a power poll near his residence causing both a power outage and another ground fire. A short time later, Sternberger again called the fire department to ascertain the status of response units then he went outside to begin work on putting the fire out. While doing so, Sternberger came into contact with the live wire that had caused the fire, electrocuting him.

The Alva, Oklahoma Review Courier reported that Sternberg

[SeaBreeze]

Sternberger, Bruce

Age: 56
Cause of Death: Other
Rank: Firefighter
Nature of Death: Electrocution
Classification: Volunteer
Emergency Duty: Yes

Incident Date: 06/10/2005
Duty Type: On-Scene Fire
Incident Time: 00:44
Activity Type: Other
Death Date: 06/10/2005
Fixed Prop. Use: Outdoor Property

Fire Dept. Info:
Hardtner-Elwood Volunteer Fire Department
General Delivery
Hardtner , Kansas 67057
Chief: Jim Roglin

Initial Summary:
Firefighter Sternberger earlier in the day (06/09 @ 1445hrs) had worked a mutual aid call of a grass fire that burned 260 acres of wheat. At night, Sternberger called in an alarm to the fire department reporting that there had possibly been a lightning strike on a power pole near his residence causing both a power outage and another ground fire. A short time later, Sternberger again called the fire department to ascertain the status of response units then he went outside to begin work on putting the fire out. While doing so, Sternberger came into contact with the live wire that had caused the fire.

Memorial Fund Info:
In memory of Firefighter Bruce Sternberger C/o Hardtner-Elwood Volunteer Fire Department, General Delivery, Hardtner, KS 67057

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/application...eath_year=2005