Below is a list of our Fallen Brothers since the Fire Department was annexed by the City in 1901. Information for some of our fallen Brothers is sparse. If anyone has information on any of the individuals please email us so we can update our web page.
Captain James Robeson
January 6, 2008
On January 6, 2008 Captain James Robeson lost his life while fighting a structure fire in the City's Hill Section. Capt. Robeson was assigned to Truck 2. Jim was a 25 year veteran of the Fire Department.
Lt. John Buchner
November 4, 1981
Lieutenant John Buchner, an ambulance officer, was killed when he was struck by a car while trying to help a fourteen-year-old girl who had jumped from a bridge over Interstate Route 81 on November 4, 1981.
Chauffeur Edward J. Poch
March 1, 1977
Chauffeur Edward J. Poch died on March 1, 1977. Chauffeur Poch was working on Truck 1 at a fire at Chamberlain Manufacturing, when the arial ladder came in contact with power lines. Mr. Poch was burned internally and underwent treatment for quite some time prior to his death at the age of 47.
Private Robert J. Legg
January 21, 1973
Fire Fighter Robert J. Legg died on January 21, 1973. Mr. Legg was on the back of Engine 1, and was struck by a hose coupling that was coming out of the hosebed, this knocked him to the ground and he was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries at the age of 38. He was responding to a fire at 709-711 and 713-715 Adams Ave on April 14, 1972
Private William Durkin February 7, 1959
Pvt. William Durkin was returning from a fire call, driving Hose Company #8, when he was stricken ill. Pvt. Durkin was taken to the StateHospital by the SFD ambulance. He passed away at the StateHospital after a short stay. Pvt. Durkin had served the city as a firefighter for 37 years.
Captain Fred Keiper
April 22, 1956
Smoke inhalation claimed the life of Captain Fred Keiper of Engine No. 2 in 1956 after battling a fire at Alder Street and Cedar Avenue.
Private George Miller
March 21, 1949
In 1949, at a multi-alarm fire at Howard’s Furniture, Cedar Avenue and Hickory Street, Private George Miller, attached to Engine No. 4, fought a smoky blaze. Upon returning to headquarters, Private Miller was found slumped over the wheel of the Chief's Car. He had succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Engineer John H. Davis
November 7, 1947
Engineer John H. Davis of Engine 9 Suffered a heart attack during a 4 alarm fire on November 1, 1947. The fire was at the Chappelle Building 1910-1914 North Main Avenue. Engineer Davis suffered a Heart Attack and was taken to the hospital where he died a few nights later.
Captain William Graff June 12, 1947
On June 12, 1947 Captain William Graff was at the quarters of Engine Company No.2 on Cedar Avenue when he was called to a fire at the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Linden Street. While making his way to the apparatus, Captain Graff fell down the stairs of the fire station striking his head on the concrete floor at the bottom of the stairwell. Captain Graff died on June 15, 1947 as a result of a fractured skull and brain injuries suffered in the fall.
Captain Thomas Evans
April 30, 1944
Captain Thomas Evans of Engine 3 was working at a large brush fire in the 200 Block of Newton Road on April 30, 1944. The fire was out and he was returning to the fire engine when he collapsed and fell to the ground. The fire fighters tried to revive him at the scene but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Fireman Edward Kotzwinkle
December 24, 1943
Fireman Edward Kotzwinkle died as a result of fighting a fire at the University of Scranton on December 24, 1943.
Engineer William Richards September 13, 1940
Engineer William Richards died on September 13, 1940 as a result of being overcome at a fire that he responded to on October 23, 1939. Engineer Richards was one of 15 men injured at the fire, however he never recovered from the smoke inhalation he encountered at the incident.
Lieutenant Fred Snyder November 15, 1938
On, November 15, 1938, Lieutenant Fred Snyder was working at the quarters of Hose Company No. 5 on Pittston Avenue when he lost consciousness and slumped in a chair. Two nearby doctors were alerted and rushed to the scene, but Lieutenant Snyder had expired by the time they reached him. He was 50 years old and a 22 year veteran of the Bureau of Fire.
Fireman Edward Thomas
January 4, 1934
While fighting a blaze at 322 Lackawanna Avenue on January 4, 1934, Fireman Edward Thomas was fatally injured in a fall from a ladder.
Lieutenant Hugh A. Flaherty
August 25, 1932
Lieutenant Hugh A. Flaherty lost his life August 25, 1932. He responded with Engine No. 9 to a paint shop fire. While working on extinguishing "hot spots" without warning the easterly wall gave way and the roof and second floor crashed down on the ground floor. Heavy beams and timber plus cars stored on the second floor buried eight men. Lt. Flaherty was the last man reached when they cleared the wreckage. He would never regain consciousness.
Today Lt. Flaherty's Great-Grandson, Capt. John R. Davis Jr.and Great-Great-Grandson, Private John R. Davis III are with the Scranton Fire Department.
Fireman John Owens
April 29, 1913
Fireman John Owens attached to Hose No. 4 was killed April 29, 1913. Owens’ company was called to an alarm in North Scranton and had returned to his station. Another alarm came in soon afterwards and upon arrival at the fire, Owens grabbed a chemical can which exploded in his hands. Today Fireman Owens' great-great-nephew is a Firefighter for the City of Scranton.
Captain Henry W. Hines
December 21, 1911
Captain Henry W. Hines was working at a fire in the Little England section of the City (near Ash Street) on December 21, 1911. He was "wetted" from the water and he drove back to the fire house in an open top autombile (the chief's car was the only motorized piece at this time). He went home and went to bed and died on January 1, 1912 of diptheria. The newspaper account at the time stated his "death resulted directly from the exposure".
Fireman Philip Biel, attached to Engine No. 4 was the first Scranton Firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty, since the Department was annexed by the City in 1901. His company was responding to a false alarm in South Scranton. When the firetruck turned a corner, Biel struck a service pole and was fatally injured in 1911.
