EMMITSBURG, Md. – The 35th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will honor eight firefighters who died in the line of duty from Pennsylvania, including Jeffrey S. Buck of Clearfield.
Buck is among the 79 firefighters who died in 2015 and 33 firefighters who died in previous years who will be remembered at the official national service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md., on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Buck, 18, of the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Clearfield County Station No. 5, responded to a structure in the borough of Clearfield with his company March 3, 2015.
While exiting the residence, the porch roof collapsed on him, trapping him underneath. On March 9, 2015 after six days of fighting for his life, Buck succumbed to the injuries he sustained during that last call.
“His love for firefighting started early in his life, as both parents were volunteer fire personnel. Jeff grew up at the fire hall,” states his Roll of Honor on the NFFF Web site.
“From his birth through his teens, he was there learning, watching and waiting for his turn. As soon as he could become a junior firefighter at the age of 14, he did. He would take any training he was allowed and took many classes more than once.”
On March 13, 2015, Buck was made honorary lieutenant at Lawrence Township Fire Department No. 1. He was awarded the Purple Heart for First Responders later that year.
The other fallen Pennsylvania firefighters to be honored are:
- Fire Police Captain John J. Doster, 95, of the Edgely Fire Department No. 1 Inc., who became ill while directing traffic at a two-alarm warehouse fire and who later died April 2, 2015.
- Lieutenant Patrick A. Nader, 25, of the West Newton Volunteer Fire Company, who died Feb. 7, 2013, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident while responding to an emergency call in 2010.
- Fire Police Lieutenant Curtis E. Nordsick Sr., 71, of the Wrightsville Steam Engine and Hose Company No. 1, who died after he assisted with traffic control at the scene of a homicide April 19, 2015.
- Fire Police Officer Louis Patti, 67, of the Warwick Township Fire Co. No. 1, who suffered a massive stroke after responding to a motor vehicle accident and who later died Dec. 22, 2015.
- Firefighter Timothy T. Peters, 46, of the Pine Grove Hose, Hook, and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1, who suffered a heart attack and who died after he responded to an EMS call April 30, 2015.
- Firefighter Edward J. Roddy, 48, of the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department, who suffered a heart attack at the scene of a garage fire and who later died Feb. 22, 2015.
- Firefighter William O. Sensenich, 69, of the North Huntingdon Township, Circleville Volunteer Fire Department, who suffered a heart attack and who died after he responded to a residential structure fire June 9, 2015.
Their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the Academy grounds. The national tribute is sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration.
Thousands are expected to attend the service, including families and friends of the fallen firefighters, members of Congress, Administration officials and other dignitaries.
Families will receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units and pipe and drum units from across the country will participate in this national tribute.