Incident Name:
Date: 4/15/12
Personnel: George Marshall Sanford
Age: 67
Agency/Organization: Redding Ridge Fire Company #1, Redding, CT
Position: !st Lt, firefighter
Summary: Redding Fire Lt. G. Marshall Sanford died while he was driving to a brush fire at 1808 hours on April 15, 2012. Sanford collapsed and died of an as-yet-undetermined “medical causes” as he was hauling equipment up to the scene of the fire.
Marshall Marshall Sanford Engine & Turnouts
Sanford Photo credit: Christine Rose
Maps
Redding Ridge Fire Department, Redding, Connecticut
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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Redding Fire & EMS Company #1 News Release: Passing of First Lieutenant and Past Chief G. Marshall Sanford, April 15, 2012
Chief Ron Van Oostendorp of the Redding Fire & EMS Company No. 1 regrets to announce the line of duty death of longtime fire company First Lieutenant George Marshall Sanford, age 67. First Lieutenant Sanford has been a member of the Redding Fire & EMS Company No. 1 for over 50 years. He was a former Chief of the department, a life member, and was currently serving as the First Lieutenant of Engine No. 1.
First Lieutenant Sanford succumbed to unknown medical causes on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at approximately 1831 hours while responding to a fire call in town.
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Redding firefighter dies in the line of duty4/16/12 | Online article
Redding Fire Lt. G. Marshall Sanford, the former fire chief who died while responding to a brush fire Sunday night, came from a long line of firefighters. The 50-year veteran firefighter collapsed and died of an as-yet-undetermined “medical issue” as he was hauling equipment up to the scene of the fire, officials said. Sanford was the vice president of the Redding Volunteer Fire & EMS Company No. 1. The volunteer company covers District 1, which stretches from Redding Ridge to Redding Center.
“Our condolences and prayers go out to First Lieutenant Sanford’s family in their hour of sorrow. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be forwarded,” Fire Chief Ron Van Oostendorp said in a statement released by the department shortly after Sanford’s death.
Sanford followed in his father’s footsteps as the town’s fire chief and later served as national president of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, and received the organization’s most distinguished award, the William L. Robinson Award. (More at the link…)
- Firefighter’s death underscores need for better screenings4/20/12 | Online Article
The recent on-the-job death of Redding Fire Lt. G. Marshall Sanford was truly a shock to the community he served and the firefighters and EMS personnel with whom he worked. This shock was compounded by a fire department spokesperson’s statement reported in The News-Times of Danbury (April 17) that Sanford “was given a clean bill of health during his most recent medical exam.”
Although the exact cause of his death remains to be determined, this tragedy highlights unique job-related health risks that may predispose firefighters to develop cardiopulmonary disease. It also highlights the challenge of medically screening and identifying those who are at risk.
As a group, firefighters have one of the most stressful and physically arduous jobs in our community. These men and women frequently need to wear heavy, bulky protective clothing with a self-contained breathing apparatus, carry heavy equipment, perform strenuous physical exercise and endure high levels of heat and humidity and low levels of oxygen. In addition, the state of constant alertness and tension between calls, punctuated by unpredictable episodes of high stress in responding to fires and other emergencies, are major stressors to firefighters’ psychological and physiological well-being.
Firefighters also have potential exposure to particulate matter and toxic chemicals, some of which are thought to accelerate the development of heart disease, increasing the risk of heart attacks, rhythm disturbances and even death. Although on-the-job deaths among firefighters in the U.S. have decreased from… (Read more at the link…)
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- CT Press Release: Honoring G Marshall Sanford
State of ConnecticutGovernor Dannel P. MalloyApril 16, 2012
GOV. MALLOY, LT. GOV. WYMAN STATEMENT ON DEATH OF 1st LT. GEORGE MARSHALL SANFORD
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman released the following statement on the death of 1st Lieutenant George Marshall Sanford of Redding Ridge Fire Company #1, who died while responding to a fire on Sunday evening.
“For more than 50 years, Mr. Sanford served the Redding Ridge Fire Company with extraordinarily dedication and commitment. We deeply respect his work protecting the community, and we stand with the many residents and firefighters who are grieving his loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to 1st Lieutenant Sanford’s family and friends at this terrible time.”
Flags will be lowered over the Capitol building on the day of 1st Lieutenant Sanford’s funeral, details of which are forthcoming.
- Redding Fire & EMS Company #1: – Obituary
- Arrangements
- Wake – 4/19: Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel CT, on Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.
- Graveside Service 4/20 11 AM – Preceeded by a walking procession: To start at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 20, at the Redding Ridge Firehouse, 186 Black Rock Turnpike, in Redding. The motorized procession will pass by at around 10:30 AM, after which, those walking to the graveside service will fall-in behind. The procession will continue to the Redding Ridge Cemetery, just south of the firehouse, for a graveside service commencing at 11:00 AM. Only Redding, West Redding, Gerorgetown, and Bethel fire apparatus will be part of this event.
- Reception follows at Redding Ridge Firehouse.
- Obituary, love & appreciation from Redding Fire & EMS Company #1 (text below)George Marshall Sanford, born September 1, 1944 to Violet Rae and Earle Sanford of Redding, CT, came into a family already devoted to public service. Mrs. Sanford drove a fire truck during the war time as her husband worked with the local troops. Early on, Marshall learned about and gained a love for the fire service, joining Redding Ridge Company #1 at the age of 18. One of the early students of first aid, in October 1970 he traveled to New York City to learn to be an EMT (a three day course). He was the chief of Redding Ridge Company #1 from 1982 to 1992.
He continued serving in various capacities until his most recent position as 1st Lieutenant on Engine #1, a truck he helped design. Marshall was an educator, firefighter, EMT-I, life member, past Chief, active First Lieutenant, fire historian, and fire service ambassador who visited fire departments throughout the United States and around the world during his many vacation travels. His shared stories and extensive photograph collection allow members and friends to see and learn what was happening in the fire service in other venues.
Marshall’s passing leaves an emptiness in Redding Ridge Company # 1, now known as Redding Fire and EMS Company #1; a name change recognizing the incorporation of EMS into the fire service, a philosophy instilled and supported by Marshall.
Marshall also loved the Town of Redding. He was a long time member of the Redding Men’s Club and the Redding Zoning Commission. He also assumed the responsibility from his father Earle to organize Redding’s annual memorial day parade.
He is survived by his brother Hank Sanford, Sister-in-law, niece and uncle. At age 67, George Marshall Sanford had served the Town of Redding fire service for over 50 years.
On behalf of Redding Fire & EMS, Thank you Marshall (…Please visit their website at the link above; nicely done!
- Additional Obituary: Details of his lifeGeorge Marshall Sanford age 67 of Redding died Sunday April 15, 2012 at Danbury Hospital. Marshall was born September 1, 1944 in Danbury, CT a son of the late Earle and Violet-Rae Sanford. He was employed as a history teacher at Norwalk High School for thirty five years retiring in 2002. Marshall was a 50 year member of the Redding Fire and EMS Company # 1 serving as Chief, Vice President and current Lieutenant of Engine One. He was a 40 year volunteer for the Danbury Hospital Emergency Room; a member and past president of the Bethel Fire Department; member of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association; Fairfield County Fire Chiefs; Connecticut Firemen Historical Society Inc.; Connecticut Fire Police Association; Southern Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Collectors(SCAFAC); Connecticut Cellar Savers; Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus; Battleship Missouri Memorial, Honolulu HI; Hall of Flame, Phoenix, AZ; International Fire Buffs Association; member and past chairman of the Redding Zoning Board and an EMT since 1973. Marshall was also a member of the Redding Men’s Club and Treasurer of the Redding Ridge Cemetery Association for over thirty years. Marshall was a world traveler who enjoyed visiting local fire departments throughout the United States and around the world during his many vacation travels. His shared stories and extensive photograph collection allow members and friends to see and learn what was happening in the fire service in other venues. Marshall is survived by his brother Henry (Hank) Sanford and his wife Mary Ellen of Redding, CT, a niece Aileen Sanford and her fiancce Robert Mozdzer of Shelton, CT, an uncle Henry Scott.(Bud) McQuade of Redding, CT, an aunt Roberta Green and her husband Harry of Hemet, CA and extended family members Richard and Joanne Smith of Wilton, CT.
A graveside service will be held at the Redding Ridge Cemetery, Redding, CT on Friday April 20, 2012 at 11 AM. Family will receive friends in the Bethel Funeral Home 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, CT on Thursday evening from 5 until 8 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Redding Fire and EMS Company One PO Box 185 Redding, CT 06876
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