William M. Bethune‚ 58‚ a career firefighter with Texas City Fire Department‚ died on October 5‚ 1999‚ when the pumper in which he was riding struck an automobile. Captain Bethune’s engine company was en route to a medical emergency. This was the department’s first line-of-duty death since the 1947 explosion that killed most members of the department.
The National Emergency Training Center (NETC) campus will be closed during the government shutdown, including access to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to check for updates as the situation evolves.
Theres not a day goes by that I’m so thankful that I had a chace to meet Mr. Bethune. He meant so much to all of us and was like a dad to me. He and my dad (W.Burleson) were such good friends and that meant a lot to me. He was a great man and big hearted. Thank you so much Captiain Bethune. You will never be for gotten!
– t.hill