INCIDENT SUMMARY | On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Officials with the Buffalo Fire Department announced the L-O-D-D of one of their own, Firefighter Jason Arno, Engine Company 2, which fought along with other members of his company during a fierce structure fire on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, around 1008 hours.

LOCATION | The fire occurred in a large commercial structure located in the 700 block of Main Street in downtown Buffalo, New York.

Photo Credit | UFOA 854 (Left)

CAUSE | The Fire Commissioner states the cause of the 4-alarm fire is under investigation

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS | Video footage from several media outlets shows an explosion blasting through the front door of the building, knocking down several firefighters to the ground as they were standing in front of the fire building.

WORST CASE SCENARIO UNIMAGINABLE

According to the Green Bay Metro Fire Fighters, while firefighters were egressing on the fire building, a backdraft occurred and forced members who were working interior operations to hurry and rush out of the building to safety.

A Mayday call for a missing and unaccounted firefighter was immediately put out to search for their member. He was located after the fire was put out and determined to be deceased.

FF Arno made the ultimate sacrifice.

(Left) Photo CreditCourtesy Green Bay Metro Fire Fighters

MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT

Are you a 1st Responder or a family member of one who has been devastated by this L-O-D-D death in New York? It does not matter if you are from this Fire Agency or not, but your mental health matters to us and there are resources you or someone (1st responders) can reach out to.

Photo Credit/Courtesy | Green Bay Metro Firefighters

SAFE CALL NOW | This nationwide (USA) organization is a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service and support service for all public safety employees, all emergency services, medical personnel, dispatchers, and their family members.

Website: https://www.safecallnowusa.org/

Phone Number: 206-459-3020

Mailing Address: 1107 Ninth Street, Suite #880, Sacramento, CA 95819

About Leadership Team: Sean Riley (President/Founder); Kelly L Fox (President, WSCFF/Board of Directors); Ret. Sg. Betsy Brantner Smith (Board of Directors); Gary Ouillette (Founder/RESPOND/Board of Directors) and Ret. Lt. Las Vegas Metro PD/Board of Directors)

HOW YOU CAN HELP FF ARNO’S FAMILY

He leaves behind a wife whom he married last summer and a three-year-old.

Donations are being collected for his family and checks can be mailed or dropped off at 500 Southside Parkway, Buffalo NY 14210 (posted by the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282).

This is a developing story. Check back with us for more updates.-Ed.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog