KEARNEY — The 2023 Nebraska Fallen Fire and EMS Memorial Service was held at the Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center in Kearney on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The event was hosted by the Blair Fire Department and was attended by many family members and firefighters.
The National Anthem and God Bless America was performed by Haley Hatcher-Storm of Omaha and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Joe Leonard of the Blair Fire Department. Greg Tesdall later performed Amazing Grace.
There were several lists of names of fallen firefighters read during the service. The first of those were historical finds that were to be recognized by the Nebraska Firefighters Foundation.
Area firefighters included:
- Fred Raney, Hastings FD, Sept. 24, 1910
- Robert Skinner, Broken Bow VFD, Dec. 5, 1914
- Harley Mullen, Hastings FD, June 17, 1931
- James “Jim” Harvey, Kearney VFD, Sept. 24, 1976
There were also current names from 2021 and 2022 that were recognized by the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Those area firefighters included:
- James Bissonette, Broken Bow VFD, Sept. 23, 2021
- Darren Krull, Elwood VFD, April 7, 2022
- John Trumble, Cambridge VFD, April 22, 2022
Both Krull and Trumble died while responding to large wildfires in southwestern Nebraska during April 2022.
Chief Krull was riding in a vehicle driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris.
Amid zero-visibility conditions due to the fire and smoke, their vehicle was struck head on by a water truck around eight miles north of Arapahoe on Highway 283.
Krull, 54, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Trumble, a retired Cambridge fire chief, was volunteering as a spotter to help combat the wildfire that was burning its way through Red Willow, Furnas and Frontier counties.
His vehicle went off the road and the 66-year-old died after being overcome by smoke and flames.
Firefighter deaths that occurred in 2022 were also read, area firefighters included:
- William “Bill” Wilkins, Bertrand VFD, Feb. 17, 2022
- Jordan Eastman, Giltner VFD, Dec. 3, 2022
- Robert “Bob” Nutzman, Holdrege VFD, June 15, 2022
- Charlie Wing, Kearney VFD, Aug. 24, 2022
- Don Jobman, Kearney VFD, May 24, 2022
- Frank Dineen, Kearney VFD, June 16, 2022
- Dale Holbein, Lexington VFD, March 11, 2022
- James Robinson, Wilcox VFD, June 16, 2022
Auxiliary deaths last year were also read, the area members included:
- Janet Wagner, Holdrege VFD, Sept. 26, 2022
Parrish Abel, NSVFA past president, spoke during the service and said that firefighters face a more dangerous work environment than ever before.
“We are forced to change our strategy and tactics to accomplish our mission,” said Abel, “The methods change but the goal remains the same – saving lives and property – sometimes at a terrible cost. This is our chosen profession.”
While technology and tactics have changed, Abel said fire department services are rich in ceremony and tradition.
The tolling of a bell harkens back to the day when a fire departments day, calls to service and announcement that a call had ended was sounded by a bell.
When a firefighter had fallen in the line of duty, Abel said a bell was struck five times, four different times. This is called “Striking the Four Fives,” and its history dates to the New York Fire Department in the 1860s.
The Striking the Four Fives was conducted, with the lone sound of the bell filling the air. Abel then called in a loud voice, “The signal has been transmitted. Their assignment is complete, and they have returned to quarters.”
After Matthew Mau, NSVFA chaplain, offered the benediction he closed with the Firefighters Prayer.
“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it’s too late or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect their property. And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life; Please protect my loving family from all strife.”
Kearney Communications then issued the last call, stating in part, “This is their last call, although they are gone, they will always be remembered. Their duties are done.”
Immediately following, Taps was performed by Greg Tesdall.
