The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: MO

It is in sadness and with great honor that we as a Brotherhood post a Line Of Duty Death for 2011 from the USFA. Fellow Brother Firefighter and Captain Leslie "Les" Clark has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and the members of the Dixon Rural Fire Protection District.

Leslie "Les" Clark

Rank: Captain
Age: 80
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 20
Date of Incident: 01/20/2011
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 01/20/2011

Fire Department: Dixon Rural Fire Protection District
Address: PO Box 92, 203 S Walnut ST, Dixon, MO 65459
Fire Department Chief: Dennis Lachowicz

Incident Description: Captain Clark passed away after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a reported structure fire. Captain Clark was operating a tanker when he advised a crew member that he felt as if he might pass out, and then lost consciousness. The other firefighter reached over and applied the air brake to stop the vehicle. He and firefighters from the apparatus following the tanker removed Captain Clark and began CPR. Ground and Air ambulances were summoned to the scene and treatment continued. Captain Clark, however, did not survive his injury and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Maries County Coroner.

Incident Location: Pending

Funeral Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Dixon.

Firefighters will walk through as a group at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the same hall. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be held at to follow at Guardian Angel Catholic Church Cemetery.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Fire Fighters Memorial Foundation of Missouri

Tribute is being paid to Captain Leslie Clark at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 11 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2011; nine from incidents that occurred in 2011 and two from a previous year’s incident. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats....