Incident Name: unnamed brush fire
Date: Inccident date: 4/27/16 ; Death date: 5/5/16
Personnel: Steven Lapierre
Age: 58
Agency/Organization: Georgia (VT) Fire Department
Position: volunteer firefighter
Summary:
Firefighter Steven Lapierre suffered a heart attack while fighting a wildland fire on April 27, 2016. He was hospitalized but did not recover and died on May 5, 2016.
Maps
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Vermont Firefighter dies following collapse at brush fireMay 5, 2016 | Online Article
It is with deep regret that we pass on to you that Firefighter Steven Lapierre, 58, who was fighting a brush fire last month when he suffered a heart attack, has tragically succumbed to his injury.
A retired career Firefighter and also a volunteer who served his department for more than 40 years is the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the 64-year history of the Georgia Fire Department.
Firefighter Lapierre suffered the heart attack on April 27 while operating at that brush fire.
FF Lapierre was also a career Firefighter and retired from the St. Albans (VT) City Fire Department in 2010, and also served as the town of Georgia’s fire warden for nearly two decades. FF Lapierre’s father, Chief Lucien Lapierre, was the GFD’s chief from 1967 to 1968, and he helped purchase the town’s first fire truck.
FF Lapierre was predeceased by his wife, Bev, in 2009 and leaves behind two adult children. Funeral services will be announced soon. Our condolences to all those affected. RIP.
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- USFA Memorial Database: Steven Lapierre
- Georgia (VT) firefighter dies after heart attack5/5/2016 | Online Article
GEORGIA – A Georgia volunteer fireman died Thursday after suffering a heart attack while on the scene of a brush fire late last week, according to a news release from the town.
Steven Lapierre, 58, a lifelong Georgia resident, served as a member of the Georgia Volunteer Fire Department for more than 40 years, the town said. Lapierre is the first Georgia firefighter to die in the line of duty in the 64-year history of the department.
Lapierre suffered the heart attack on April 27 while helping fight the brush fire, news release stated.
“Steven Lapierre embodied the spirit of local public service,” said current Georgia Fire Chief Keith Baker in a statement. “As we mourn Steven’s passing we pay tribute and appreciation to the countless hours he spent making our community a better and safer place to live.”
Lapierre was a career firefighter. He retired from the St. Albans City Fire Department in 2010, and also served as the town of Georgia’s fire warden for nearly two decades, the news release stated. Lapierre’s father, Lucien Lapierre, was the Georgia Fire Department’s chief from 1967 to 1968, and he helped purchase the town’s first fire truck.
The volunteer fireman was predeceased by his wife, Bev, in 2009. He leaves behind two adult children. Funeral services will be announced by the family, the town stated.
“The Town of Georgia wishes to express its sincere appreciation for Milton and St. Albans Town Fire Departments who assisted on the initial April 27 brush fire, as well as the staff of AmCare Ambulance Service and the staff at Northwestern Medical Center and the University of Vermont Medical Center who provided care for Steven in his final days,” the news release stated.
Funeral service: Collins Perley Sports Complex
Saturday, May 14th 2016 1:00pm
890 Fairfax Road, St. Albans, Vermont, United States
Interment: Georgia Plain Cemetery
Following Services
- Final call for Steven Lapierre, Community mourns fallen firefighterMay 14, 2016 | Online Article
Suspended from two ladder firetrucks in radiant late spring sunlight, a giant American flag flapped in the breeze on Saturday afternoon. Below it, a cadre of first responders from across the state and beyond stood in formation, saluting the convoy of emergency vehicles that served as a funeral procession for fallen firefighter Steven Lapierre.
Top: Hundreds of first responders from across the state and beyond lined up to pay tribute to fallen Georgia firefighter Steven Lapierre, who received full line of duty death honors at Collins Perley Sports Complex in St. Albans on Saturday. Above: Honor Guard members marched in Lapierre’s funeral procession on Saturday. (Photos by Abby Ledoux)
Contributors to this article:
Please support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
