Rocky Mount Mourns Loss of Two Firefighters as Investigation Continues

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The town of Rocky Mount, Virginia is mourning the loss of two firefighters who died on their way to a house fire in Union Hall, Virginia. Fire Chief Posey Dillon, 59, was driving the fire truck when it was involved in an accident. Firefighter William "Danny" Altice, 67, was the only other passenger in the truck, according to the Roanoke Times.

Several years ago, Dillon tried to persuade town council to install pre-emptive devices that automatically turn signal lights green for approaching emergency vehicles, according to the Times. That system would have given his fire truck the right of way in the crash. Town council did not approve the devices because of the $100,000 cost, according to Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins.

In the intersection, Dillon swerved to miss an SUV that had a green light. The truck was equipped with a 1,000 gallon water tank that shifted after being struck by the SUV. That shift caused the truck to overturn three times. Police are still investigating the accident and there have been no charges filed.

According to police, neither Dillon or Altice were wearing a seat belt.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2007, 25 firefighters were killed in crashes while riding to or from emergency calls, 11 of those were not wearing seat belts. The use of seat belts among firefighters has been an issue for years.

"We're somewhat at a loss as to why firefighters will not wear seat belts," said Victor Stagnaro, director of Fire Services Programs for the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.

Many fire safety organizations encourage firefighters to pledge to wear seat belts, Stagnaro said. Many fire departments incorporate seat belts into training and strictly enforce usage.

"There is nothing that prevents a firefighter from wearing a seat belt," said Matthew Tobia, a safety official for the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Remembering Dillon and Altice

Dillon is being remembered for his decades of service to Rocky Mount. Along with being the town's fire chief for 20 years, he was also a member of town council, vice mayor and the town's fire marshal. At town council meetings, Dillon would talk with pride of his fellow firefighters when they attended meetings, according to the Franklin News Post.

A month ago, Dillon had been approved by town council for another term as fire chief.

"He (Dillon) is an irreplaceable member of the community. He has served the community in many ways," Mayor Steve Angel said. "It's a devastating blow to the community. He will be greatly missed, as will Danny Altice."  William "Danny" Altice is being remembered for his decades of experience and dedication to the Rocky Mount Fire Department. He was a firefighter for 47 years, having served as chief for seven of those years, according to WSLS-TV. He was also the son of one of the department's founding members.

Altice's brother is also a firefighter with Rocky Mount and his son is a firefighter in nearby Boones Mill, Virginia. "You never had an event of any kind that Danny wasn't here.  You could count on him.", says acting Chief Charles Robertson.  "That's going to be one of the hard parts, looking out the door and not seeing Danny walk through it."

Rocky Mount's Assistant Town Manager told Channel 10 that fire departments from New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago have confirmed they will send a fire truck and members of their departments to honor the lives of Dillon and Altice at their funerals on Friday.  Also, multiple fire departments from across the Commonwealth of Virginia will send members to pay tribute to both men.

To sign an online guest book for Posey Dillon visit: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/roanoke/guestbook.aspx?n=posey-dillon&pid=144323471&cid=full

To sign an online guest book for Danny Altice visit: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/roanoke/guestbook.aspx?n=william-altice&pid=144323481&cid=full



Author:Barbara Brooks - Fire Department Network News