Incident Name: wildfire in Clay County, KY
Date: Incident date: 10/29/18; Death date: 11/17/16
Personnel: Ted Rodney Collett
Age: 41
Agency/Organization: Red Bird Volunteer Fire & Rescue, 31 Queendale CTR, Beverly, KY 40913
Position: Firefighter
Summary: Rodney Collett suffered head and arm injuries on October 29th while working a wildland fire incident when a tree limb fell and struck him and the fire apparatus he was on. Firefighter Collett was airlifted to Pikeville Medical Center for treatment but succumbed to his injuries the evening of November 17th.
Photo courtesy of Bell County Volunteer Fire Department:
Maps
injured while fighting a wildfire in Clay County, KY
Passed on at Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville KY
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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Announcement of Ted’s death, from Facebook, Redbird Volunteer Fire and Rescue # 337Nov 19, 2016
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing to eternal glory of our brother in service Ted Rodney Collett. Red Bird Vol. Fire & Rescue, along with Bell Co. Fire Dept. has lost a beautiful, dedicated, one of a kind soul that in his few years in the fire service reminded all of those around us the difference that one person can make in his lifetime! We ask during this difficult time to continue to remember his family in your prayers and give them the privacy they need until they are ready to celebrate not only his life in the fire service, but his lifetime of cherished memories that his family and friends have of this beautiful angel! Chief Clifford Berry, 606-261-5016, will be the contact person and liaison for the family, fire services and media at this time. More information will be shared as the family wishes.
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Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- Firefighter dies from injuries11/18/16 | Online Article
A local firefighter is dead as the result of fighting brush fires in the area.
Rodney Collett, 44 (should be 41), was a member of both the Red Bird Volunteer Fire Department and the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department. Red Bird VFD is located in Beverly, Kentucky.
Members of Red Bird Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded to a brush fire on Oct. 29, according to a statement. “While fighting the fire, a tree limb fell striking the fire apparatus and Firefighter Collett causing him to suffer head and arm injuries. He was airlifted to Pikeville Medical Center for treatment,” the statement reads.
Collett succumbed to his injuries at approximately 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17, according to the statement.
“The Bell County Volunteer Fire Department is saddened by the loss of one of our brothers, Rodney Collett,” reads a statement on their Facebook page. “Rodney was a member of the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department and also a member of Red Bird Volunteer Fire Department. Rodney was a great man and had one of the biggest hearts you will ever find and loved serving his community.” (more at the link…)
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- From Facebook, Redbird Volunteer Fire and Rescue # 337:Nov 19, 2016
Ted Rodney Collett, 41, of Beverly, KY passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville. He was born on August 29, 1975 a son of Rev. Ted and Shirley Collett.
Services will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday at the Beverly United Methodist Church, Beverly KY, with Rev. Jimmy Dale Hensley, Rev. Chad Hensley and Rev. Steve Riddle. Music will be by Kathy Brock, Larry and Debbie Green.
Burial will be in the Slusher #4 Cemetery at Red Bird. Pallbearers will be family, friends and firefighters.
The Family will receive friends on Monday from 5 until 9 at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, Pineville, Ky. and Tuesday at the Beverly United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. until services begin at 1 p.m.
Chief Clifford Berry (606) 261-5016 will serve as liaison to any service wishing to assist or participate in fire honors that will take place through the services. There will be a staging area for apparatus on Tuesday.
- USFA Memorial Database: Ted Rodney Collett
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