Dallas B. Begg‚ 20‚ career firefighter‚ Osceola County Fire-Rescue‚ Kissimmee‚ died July 30‚ 2002‚ when a flashover occurred during a live burn training exercise. Two firefighters died in this incident. Begg completed the Emergency Medical Technology course at Valencia Community College and 450 hours of training at the Central Florida Fire Academy. He had been on the job with Osceola County for only eight days.
Dallas is someone who tried to find the best in everyone he met.
Rupert A. Fuller‚ 76‚ volunteer firefighter‚ Darlington-Gaskin Fire Department‚ Westville‚ died October 24‚ 2002‚ from an aneurysm after becoming ill on the scene of an EMS call four days earlier. He was very active with the department‚ attended any training provided‚ and was the expert on the compressed air foam truck the department had recently acquired. Fuller operated a country store for 30 years‚ where he once kept the area’s first fire truck gassed up and ready to go.
He was an asset.
Brian Reed‚ 39‚ career firefighter/EMT‚ West Manatee Fire & Rescue‚ Holmes Beach‚ died April 10‚ 2001‚ from injuries sustained from a fall at the department. He began as a volunteer with Anna Maria Fire District‚ and became a career firefighter in 1995.
He was a certified electrician and dedicated blood donor. He liked to be where the action was and served for eight years in the Marine Corps. He and his wife exchanged their wedding vows at the fire station.
He was reliable‚ dependable‚ honest‚ and hardworking.
Born 12-26-35 in Toledo‚ Ohio. Died 2-7-01 Dunnellon FL. Attended schools in Ohio and college in Toledo‚ Ohio. Six years in Army Signal Corps‚ stationed in Germany. Father of 4 girls and had 3 grandsons. Played varsity football in school and played accordion at square dances. Was a machinist by trade. Owned a T.V. shop in Sebring‚ Florida‚ where he worked with civil defense and local law enforcement as a specialist on recovering evidence with his metal detecting skills. He was honored by the Sebring News with a write-up in Who’s Who in City‚ for his time given to local youth organizations‚ and HALLO handicap organization.
When he retired‚ he moved to Dunnellon‚ Florida‚ where he delivered Meals on Wheels‚ and joined Marion County Fire Department as a support volunteer. Along with his wife Jean‚ he was stationed at #5 in Florida Highlands‚ where they lived.
He was an avid fisherman.
A caring‚ loving‚ and always giving man.
Linda Hernandez‚ 37‚ career firefighter/EMT‚ Miami-Dade Fire Rescue‚ died September 18‚ 2001‚ from complications related to injuries sustained earlier in the line of duty. She was a correctional officer for 13 years before joining the fire department in 1997. After her injury‚ she was often in the hospital‚ but continued to study to keep her EMT certification up-to-date until her death.
She was a fighter‚ a person who loved life and people.
Darryl Dzugen‚ 36‚ career captain‚ Hillsborough County Fire Rescue‚ Tampa‚ died August 29‚ 2001‚ while working a 24-hour shift. He joined the fire service as an Explorer at age 12. In 1983‚ following in his father’s footsteps‚ Dzugen became a volunteer firefighter with the Brandon Fire District. He began his career with Hillsborough 2 years later. He was involved in the department’s training and was coordinator of Hillsborough Community College’s fire science program.
Submitted by his wife
Jack ‘Kit’ Barker‚ 45‚ Driver/Engineer‚ City of Tampa Fire Rescue‚ died January 21‚ 2001‚ as a result of complications of Hepatitis C‚ which he contracted in the line of duty.
He began his service to his country by joining the Army in 1973. He then joined the Tampa Fire Department in 1978. At any station he was always known as a phenomenal cook. In 1999‚ Jack founded the Krewe of St. Florian (Patron Saint of Firefighters) in order to provide opportunities for community service.
While taking care of his wife and two daughters‚ Jack found time to go back to college. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business‚ with honors‚ and was awarded his diploma posthumously. He was also an avid hunter‚ fisherman and golfer.
Jack could also be found volunteering at his church and his daughters’ schools. He always put his family first and greeted everyone with a smile.
‘When a man is a husband‚ father and a firefighter‚ it is impossible for him to form a thought without the three being connected.’
‘It is not how he died that made him a hero…it is how he lived.’
Nolen A. Sauls‚ 51‚ a 14-year career firefighter with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department‚ died on August 7‚ 2000‚ of cardiac arrest after responding to several calls. He was also an instructor/mentor with an EMS program.
Roger H. Taylor‚ 54‚ a division chief and 31-year veteran with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department who is credited with launching the careers of many division employees‚ died on May 16‚ 2000‚ of cardiac arrest. He was paramedic/EMT instructor for more than 20 years and was a Marine Corps veteran.
Michael K. Yahraus‚ 32‚ a 13-year career firefighter/paramedic with the Sarasota County Fire Department‚ died of injuries received during a training exercise on September 12‚ 2000. He was completing law enforcement certification to become a SWAT medic for the Sarasota Police Department.
We are working hard to provide important resources, workshops, and timely information to help both firefighters and our Fire Hero Families stay connected and well during these unprecedented times. These new resources can be found here on our website, shared through E-mail, and through our social media channels.
