USFA: New Jersey Line of Duty Death

The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the official line of duty death of Second Assistant Chief Thomas Shields, 42, of the Flanders Fire Department No.1 and Rescue on May 31, 2011.

Second Assistant Chief Shields responded to an emergency call of a child who became overheated at the Mountainview Elementary School. Assistant Chief Shields returned to the firehouse and then headed home, feeling ill, with chest pains. Emergency medical personnel responded but tragically Chief Shields died at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville, NJ.

Funeral Arrangements:
Pending

Memorial Fund Contact and Address:
Pending

Tribute is being paid to Second Assistant Chief Shields at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 37 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; 33 from incidents that occurred in 2011 and four from previous years’ incidents.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm