It is with deep regret to announce the death of the following member: Firefighter Brian J. Munz, 24, of the Fairbury Fire Protection District, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a house fire located at 316 W. Watson Street in Forrest, IL, transmitted at 19:45 hours on July 22nd, 2008.

Firefighter Munz was part of an engine company that had entered the building to locate the seat of the fire. As conditions began to deteriorate, members were withdrawing from the building. Preliminary reports indicate that just before Firefighter Munz exited the building, the first floor collapsed into the cellar. A valiant rescue effort to reach FF Munz was launched as fire conditions continued to deteriorate. After FF Munz was extricated from the debris, he was immediately removed from the building. He was transported in cardiac arrest to OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, IL. Firefighter Munz succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Firefighter Munz was a six year veteran of the Fairbury Fire Protection District. He is survived by his mother, his father, one brother, three step-sisters and his maternal grandparents.

Firefighter Munz is the 66th firefighter to die in the line of duty in United States in 2008.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, the Fairbury Fire Department and all of the members that responded to and operated at this box.

The funeral arrangements for Firefighter Brian Munz are as follows:

Visitation: 07/25/2008 3-8pm at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home in Fairbury
Visitation: 07/26/2008 - 9am-10am at First United Methodist Church in Fairbury

Funeral: 07/26/2008 - 10am at First United Methodist Church in Fairbury

Burial: Following funeral at Graceland Cemetery in Fairbury

As all line of duty deaths, this one hits close to home for at least two of the members of Brotherhood Instructors, LLC. Dwight, IL is only about 20 miles from Fairbury. It was not uncommon to operate side-by-side with the members of the Fairbury Fire Department at various mutual aid fires.

Curt and Nate DeMarse started their careers in the fire service in Dwight, IL. Members of the Dwight Fire Department responded to and operated at this fire. Although we did not know Brian personally, our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family, friends, the Fairbury Fire Department and all of the members that responded to and operated at this fire.

May He Rest In Peace

All photos courtesy of WBJC Radio (http://wjbc.com) and The Pantagraph (http://pantagraph.com)