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Read Prince William County report into the death of Firefighter Wilson
Mike Ward at Firegeezer on the fire service impact of Kyle Wilson’s death
Fifth Annual Kyle Wilson 10K Walk for Fitness
Five-years-ago April 16 also fell on a Monday and the week started off with some very bad news. Shortly after breakfast, word started coming in from a number of sources that a firefighter had been killed in a house fire in Prince William County, Virginia. Of course it was a big news event in the area and my job was to try and confirm some information about the fire for our morning news broadcasts while WUSA-TV, the station I worked for and our competitors began sending news crews to the fire scene.
This fire occurred a little less than three weeks before the birth of STATter911.com, but even without the blog, covering the fire service in the Washington, DC area was part of my beat as a TV reporter. I was able to get some preliminary information, confirmed from various sources, including career and volunteer firefighters in Prince William County. As I finished getting dressed for work it was obvious where I would soon be headed and what my news story would be for the day, and probably days to come. But I never got there and the large majority of the news crews already at 15492 Marsh Overlook Drive were suddenly told by their editors and assignment desks to leave the scene of the fire.
Most were told to head toward the southwestern portion of Virginia, to the town of Blacksburg, as word started filtering in of a double shooting at West Ambler Johnston Hall at Virginia Tech. It had occurred about an hour after the fire was reported on Marsh Overlook Drive. Then two hours later there was more gunfire on campus at Norris Hall. In the hours to come the number of dead and wounded would climb to become the deadliest massacre by a single gunman in U.S. History.
But back at Marsh Overlook Drive, Technician I Kyle Robert Wilson was dead and for the most part there was barely a mention in the local news. Even though I, as much as anyone, understand why it was that way, it is something that always bothered me and still does. In my on-air role during the week, reviewing Internet and social media sources of Virginia Tech news and videos, I found a few opportunities to remind people that a firefighter also had died. It was far from adequate as far as I was concerned.
So that is why I want to make an extra effort to ask you to remember Kyle Wilson and his family tomorrow on the fifth anniversary of his death. It will once again, and unfortunately always, be overshadowed by another important and tragic anniversary. But as we know that does not diminish the sacrifice made by this young firefighter and the loss felt by his family and friends.
Also on STATter911 …
- Another parade for Kyle: Saying goodbye to a brave 12-year-old boy who wanted to be a firefighter like his dad. – May 11, 2012
- Courage for Kyle. Get your bracelet. Here’s an update from Barnegat, New Jersey. – January 29, 2012
- Christmas story continues: Kyle McGetrick, who had a fire truck parade at his home, is made Barnegat mayor. Family & FD thank fire service. Plus, a look at other places where fire & EMS are making a difference. – December 25, 2011
- Kyle McGetrick to be interviewed on fire service radio show. Barnegat, NJ boy to talk about the patches firefighters sent him from around the world. – January 23, 2012
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Was there to be sound. If so there was not. God bless over his family and friends on this 5 year ann. Thanks Dave , it always makes me sad the see or hear of a fallen brother/sister and feel for the ones left behind.
All Fire Department deaths barely make the news. It’s disgraceful.
The statement that this death barely mad the news is not true. The local papers — Potomac Newa and Manasas Journal Messenger covered the heck out of Kyle Wilson’s story and continues to do o at least once a year. I know because I was there.
I am referring to the day it occurred and the days immediately after.
Hard to believe it has been five years.
Dave,
Thank you so much for keeping light shed on Kyle’s memory. For the unlucky few of us that have the Marsh Overlook fire memories engraved in our mind forever, its hard to watch the VT coverage without feeling somewhat left out or overshaddowed (not that VT does not deserve attention, that would just be cruel to think). Speaking for myself, and possibly many other humble firefighters that were there on scene, the shock of a brother being killed in a fire was outrageous enough, only to return to the firehouse by mid-morning, and see the events unfolding at Tech. I remember my jaw hitting the floor, thinking “what is happening around here?”. Just overwhelmed with grief and disbelief.
I was nodding my head as I read “Even though I, as much as anyone, understand why it was that way..” here in your article.
I think it can be frustrating sometimes for the “local” news around here to take second fiddle to national news. This day was especially hard for the folks in Prince William County Fire and Rescue.
Thank you for your article.
Thank you Dan.
We use Kyle’s LODD as a case study in the Fire Officer I program in CT.
To the Family of Kyle,
May you know, as a family of a retired firefighter, we honor you and praise you for the ultimate sacrifice you have made in loosing Kyle, in the line of duty. A heartbreak you will always feel.
God Be with you all, as Kyle now is with him.
Bruce & Betty Bergman
R.I.P. Fallen brother. I didn’t know you personally, but you are a brother in my book. Prayers to family, friends, and the fire fighters who had to endure this tragic loss.
Thanks, Dave for helping me learn about Technician 1 Kyle Robert Wilson. Out in the hinterlands I didn’t hear of his loss at all.
I hope that his family has found a measure of peace in the intervening years. I know he wil live forever in their herts.
clackamas county fire district captain chris geiger gives a really good class titled “wind-driven structure fires and firefighter safety” and it features kyle wilson heavily.
Mr. Statter,
Thanks for helping us remember. Here is the webpage for his memorial and the information for the for the upcoming 10k walk
http://www.kylewilsonmemorial.com/
The 5th Annual “Kyle Wilson 10k Walk for Fitness” will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, rain or shine. This is a 10k wallk for anyone who wishes to participate. Onsite registration will begin at 9 a.m. at C.D. Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, VA. There is no registration fee. Click on the Walk Registration Form link to sign up.
Donations to the event will be accepted in Kyle’s honor and all proceeds will go to the Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund has been set up to benefit students who wish to attend the George Mason University Athletic Training Program.
Walk t-shirts are available for purchase on the day of the event.
There will be a 50/50 drawing, as well as numerous raffle items from local businesses.
2007 was a Bad year for the Fire Service.
Dave as you note, Kyle Wilson’s LODD didn’t get much media coverage till after the Charleston, S.C., Sofa Super Store Fire and then was one of Seven incidents in which the After Action Reports were read by many of us in the Fire Service Industry.
It is interesting to note that his death occured during a “Wind Driven Event” and Houston, Texas FD suffered one if not two LODD incidents after this fire at different times.
Kyle along with the others who died that year are Not Forgotten. Each tragedy had valuable learning lessons attached to them. It’s learning from them for the future fire events that will occur and not to repeat the same mistakes.
He’ll never be forgotten in our department. We’ve done multiple case studies and even added it to our fire academy curriculum. RIP Kyle
Just a reminder that the recent multi-injury PGFD house fire was attributed to high winds entering the ventilated rear of the dwelling and blow-torching the entry crew.
Just another of the gazillion things ya gotta think about as you roll up.
RIP Brother; Your gone, but you’ll never be forgotten.
Dave, Thanks for bringing the Sacrifice of this brave young man back to everyone’s thoughts on the Anniversary of this Tragic Day.
Dave,
I can’t agree more now, or then. Back then I wrote into the local (D.C.) TV stations blasting them for the lack of coverage. While I understood about the VT trajedy being in the forefront, the public needed to know that a public servant had died.
You know the only one to actually respond to me with a dignified and thoughtful answer….yep, WUSA 9 News.
Like you, the lack of coverage still bothers me, and I dont even work for PWC Fire Rescue.
Thank you for keeping it on our minds.
As a die-hard Hokie and a wife of a PWC firefighter, I always felt that Kyle’s death deserved more attention than it got. Many people may not remember this small detail about Kyle’s funeral, but Virginia Tech actually sent a delegation to his service to pay their respects. Ut Prosim, indeed.
You will always be a Hero etched in our hearts and minds FOREVER and ALWAYS Kyle. Keep keeping your watch over your family and loved ones who still find it soooooo very hard to move on without your physical presence. Gone nut NEVER FORGOTTEN,
Dave,
I want to thank you for sharing your thoughts on that tragic day that we lost our son, Kyle and many others lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. Our loss, which may have been overshadowed 5 years ago will never diminish in our hearts and the support we have gotten over the years from friends, relatives, the business community and most of all Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue is immeasurable. Our family appreciates everything from all of the fire departments around the country who have been done something in Kyle’s name!
Mr. Wilson,
That was very kind of you to write. The thoughts of many are with you.
Dave
We keep his brave soul alive by talking about Kyle ! The fire service will not forget him!!! God bless his brave soul and look over his Family!
From Milwaukee, WI. Thanks for writing this article remembering and honoring firefighter Kyle Wilson. It was shared on my daughter’s Facebook, whose husband is a Milwaukee Fireman. My prayers and thanks go out to all our firefighters who bravely and selflessly put their life on the line every time the bells rings. RIP Kyle and God bless the family and friends.
Thank you Dave for what you have written. Your remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice made by Prince William County Department of Fire of Rescue Technician I Kyle Wilson means a great deal to me and the members of my department. We also acknowledge the remembrance of Kyle from many others in our community and within the fire service profession. Kyle lost his life while searching the second floor bedrooms to evacuate possible occupants of a burning, single family structure during the height of a Nor’easter storm. The members of my department will never forget. It is reassuring that after 5 years the public and our colleagues haven’t forgotten.
Thank you Chief. It’s very kind of you to write. Hope to see you soon.
I served as the Planning Section Chief for the National Capitol Region Incident Management Team that was asked to provide support/manage the Kyle Wilson Memorial service. I was humbled and honored to be a part of such a sacred event. Kyle will also be remembered with dignity and respect. I will never forget his sacrifice and his courage. You may be gone Kyle, but never fogotten my brother…RIP