SUSAN NICOL
KYLEFirehouse.Com News
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Firefighter Jason
Johnson | | |
On Saturday, a 28-year-old volunteer firefighter assisted with a
stubborn grass and brush fire in rural Kansas.
When a second blaze broke out about two hours later, his
colleagues told him over the radio they could handle it, and
encouraged him to continue with his plans to shop for decorations
for his son's fifth birthday party.
But, Jason Johnson didn't make it to the store with his wife. The
firefighter collapsed in their car, said Butler County Fire District
# 3 Capt. Kevin Webster.
"We're all still in shock. We can't believe it," Webster said
Monday afternoon. "Jason had helped with the earlier fire, and
everything seemed OK. He had made no complaint."
Webster said he and others listened to the radio traffic about
the EMS call while they were at the brush fire. "I remember we
talked about them having a 'code blue.' Little did we know that it
was Jason."
A firefighter who responded to the call recognized his colleague,
and notified his chief. Word of Johnson's collapse spread quickly at
the brush fire.
Johnson was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. An
autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, Webster
said, adding that results should be known in a few days.
"He was very enthusiastic about being a firefighter. He was
positive about everything,"Webster recalled. "He had a really good
attitude, nothing negative."
In addition to responding to calls, Johnson also helped out with
fire safety education. "He enjoyed working with children, and was in
a position to be there during the day because he worked the third
shift. He was a good, solid firefighter, very dependable."
A funeral with full fire department honors has been planned for
the young firefighter. Honor guards from Wichita Fire Department and
Cedgwick County Fire District # 1 will participate.
The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Headley Funeral
Chapel. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary
Catholic Church in Derby.
Johnson's casket will be carried to Rose Hill Cemetery aboard his
fire department's rescue squad.
Webster said it's been a tough few days for firefighters as they
struggle with emotions.
Butler County Fire
District #3