Updated: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 - 6 PM
Kansas City Battalion Chief Dies in Warehouse Fire
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DAVE J. IANNONE
Firehouse.Com News
On the same day Kansas City, Mo. firefighters remembered those lost
in a 1959 explosion, a veteran Battalion Chief was killed Saturday night
when he became disoriented in a smoky warehouse fire as crews evacuated, running
out of air before rescuers could find him.
Chief Tvedten
Photo Courtesy Kansas City Fire Department
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John Tvedten, a 26-year-veteran who was the current president of the
Kansas City Chief Officers Local 3808, was the interior commander on a
four-alarm fire at a one-story manufacturing warehouse fire that started
at about 6:15 p.m. CST.
"As crews evacuated, [Tvedten] somehow became disoriented in a very smoky fire and separated from [other firefighters]," Public Information Chief Brad Humston said.
Six rapid intervention teams of two firefighters each made entry into the blazing warehouse to search for the chief, who remained in radio contact advising he was trapped.
Crews used thermal imaging cameras to assist in the search to locate the Chief, sources said.
"We remained in contact with him for about a half hour," Humston said. "But about 15 minutes [into the search] he said his bell was ringing," indicating the chief was running out of air.
Rescuers found Tvedten, who was unresponsive, at about 8 p.m. and immediately started resuscitative efforts on the scene. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Chief Tvedten (left)
Photo Courtesy Kansas City Fire Department
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None of the firefighters on the rapid intervention teams were injured.
The Kansas City Star reported that employees attempted to extinguish the blaze before calling the fire department.
Humston described the structure as a "huge" warehouse loaded with combustibles that caused the fire to spread rapidly.
The fire continued to burn until late Saturday. The investigation into the cause of the fire was in its early stages, Humston said.
Tvedten is survived by his wife and an 11-year-old son, Tyler. His father, John Sr., was also a Battalion Chief with the
Department until his death in 1981.
Kemper Arena Memorial Service Planned
The public memorial for Tvedten will be held Tuesday December 21, 1999,
1:00 p.m. at Kemper Arena, 1800 Genessee.
Following the memorial service, a procession of fire apparatus
and vehicles will motorcade past the Firefighters memorial
at 31st and Pennsylvania, then past Station 32, 4928
Main and then to Mount Moriah, 10507 Holmes Road where
the procession will end.
A gathering will be held at Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home Chapel,
I-435 and Holmes Road for Kansas City Fire Department
personnel only from 4:00-5:30 p.m., metro area firefighters
from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and the public 7:00-9:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, December 22, a visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m.
for the family only. Interment and graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m.
at Mount Moriah Cemetery for the public.
A reception will be held for the family and
firefighters following the graveside services at
Local 42 Hall, 6320 Manchester Ave.
Contributions or donations should be sent to either of the following:
- John Tvedten Memorial Fund
c/o United Labor Credit Union
6320 Manchester Ave. - Suite 41C
Kansas City, MO 64133
- John Tvedten Memorial Fund
c/o IAFF Local 42
6320 Manchester Ave. - Suite 42A
Kansas City, MO 64133
Tragedy Same Days as Others Remembered
Earlier Saturday, hundreds of current and retired Kansas City firefighters gathered
on the site of a 1959 fuel depot explosion that
left five firefighters and a civilian dead.
Kansas City firefighters were among the tens of thousands in attendance at the memorial
service for six Worcester, Mass. firefighters earlier this month.
On Nov. 29, 1988, six Kansas City firefighters were killed instantly as
they approached a trailer from which smoke had been seen coming from.
The trailers were loaded with explosives. The blast left two large craters in the ground.
Related Links/Information:
Further information will be posted later Sunday
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