My Lieutenant Didn’t Come Home: Lessons from a Line-of-Duty Death

Wednesday, April 27, 2022: 3:30 PM - 5:15 PM

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Description

This class highlights a real-life incident where Lieutenant Brad Clark died in the line of duty and two other firefighters were seriously injured during a highway incident. It provides critical information to prepare fire departments, firefighters, and their families for when tragedy strikes. It provides an inside look at family notification and the days immediately after the tragedy. Lessons learned will be shared on how firefighters can better prepare themselves and their families should the worst occur. This class provides intimate details into what happened from the spouse’s perspective. Topics such as family notifications, working through the days immediately after the death, and negotiating through the benefits and administrative processes are discussed.

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Tracks:

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  Prevention/protection

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Methodology

Working as a team, Melanie Clark will highlight the family perspective of a LODD event and steps both firefighters and departments can take to better prepare for the unthinkable. This content is delivered using news media clips and incident footage and PowerPoint slides that deliver a perspective only she can share.

James Munsey will provide administrative insight on the necessary steps to place an entire department out of service. He will cover the LODD benefits process and how firefighters can lesson the burden on their families by taking steps now in case the worst happens. He will also cover steps departments can take to help brace for such an event and prepare for some type of recovery. A key component of the course is a comprehensive list of key documents that every firefighter should have stored in a known location so their family may retrieve if necessary.

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Learning Objectives

Describe the nature of and factors surrounding the incident.
Describe the notification process and the reality of an LODD event.
Provide the family perspective on an LODD event.
Present key steps departments can implement to be as prepared as possible for a tragic event.
Provide an overview of the LODD benefits process.
Highlight documents and other preparations needed in the aftermath of a LODD event.
Discuss moving forward after a tragedy for the family, firefighters and the department.