Illinois’ Garreth Thornly is a contract paramedic assigned to the Addison Fire Protection District since 2019. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the fire service, having served in multiple departments and contract roles throughout his career. Recently, Garreth and his family received devastating news. He has been diagnosed with advanced intestinal cancer and has been given an estimated one to three months to live.

On the morning of April 8th, Schaumburg Fire Department’s FF/PM Evan Zibell experienced a medical emergency while off-duty, entering cardiac arrest shortly thereafter. While he was initially resuscitated thanks to the swift actions of his wife, Liz, and the Libertyville Fire Department, FF Zibell tragically passed away after treatment in the ICU.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden passing of DeKalb Firefighter/Paramedic Juan Gasca on Monday, April 6th, 2026. Firefighter/Paramedic Gasca served the DeKalb Fire Department for over four years with dedication and professionalism.

Ohio’s Jamie Meklemburg served as the Fire Chief of Seven Hills for over six years. On April 5, 2026, Chief Meklemburg passed away after a battle with mental illness. He was widely respected and loved by both his community and the firefighters he worked alongside.

Melissa “Missi” Prosser brought light and kindness to everyone she met, from family and friends to the patients she cared for in the back of an ambulance. On the morning of April 5th, after a 12-hour shift, Missi was killed in an accident on Route 55 while driving home. Her loss leaves a deep void in the community and in the lives of those who knew her.

On March 29th, the unimaginable happened to CFD’s FF Dan Lenihan. While performing roof operations as the first-in truck company at a structure fire, FF Lenihan of Truck 27 suffered a critical medical episode. Thanks to the heroic, split-second actions of his brothers and sisters on the fire and EMS crews, Dan was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he is currently receiving intensive care on the Neurology floor. Dan is also the bedrock of a beautiful, active family.

Illinois FF Jeffrey Braun is the kind of person who shows up for others without hesitation- steady, dependable, and always ready to lend a hand or share a laugh when it’s needed most. Unfortunately, FF Braun was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma; undoubtedly news that weighs heavy on the hearts of all who know him.

South Carolina Fire Engineer Timothy Potter’s circumstances have worsened significantly in recent months. In November, he was removed from light duty and placed on unpaid leave after being denied FMLA. During an ongoing workers’ compensation dispute, he was diagnosed with asthma, which has been deemed disqualifying under NFPA 1582, preventing his return as a fire engineer. He has not received a paycheck since December and has been unable to secure other work in fire investigation or inspection.

FF Mike Altman of the Chicago Fire Department, assigned to Truck 47, was critically injured March 16th while doing what he always did- putting others first. After some time in Cook County Hospital’s burn unit, he has tragically has passed away from his injuries.