Updated: Thursday, December 23, 1999 - 1 PM
Virginia Firefighter Killed in Squad Accident
First Line of Duty Death in Chesterfield County Fire Department
Also See: Post/View Condolences
Update: Funeral information has changed to a full fire department service. Details
are posted below with more added Tuesday. Additionally, The Times-Dispatch
reported Tuesday that the driver of the squad overcorrected his steering in an attempt
to control the unit during the accident, but the investigation was still continuing.
Firehouse.Com News
(Dec. 18) - A Chesterfield County, Va. firefighter was killed when the rescue squad he was riding
in rolled over enroute to a reported gas leak Saturday night, officials said.
The firefighter, Bradley McNeer, 22, was a passenger in the squad, a statement
from the Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services said. He
had less than a year of service.
The accident occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Old Buckingham Road, a winding two-lane road,
sources said. The unit flipped over on its side after leaving the road and crashed into trees,
officials said.
At least two other cars were involved in the crash, but no civilians were injured.
The driver of the rescue unit was
District Chief Brian Barfield, 29.
Barfield has 11 years of service with
the department as a volunteer. Barfield received head and extremity injuries,
was treated at Chippenham Hospital and released.
McNeer was transported from the scene but was pronounced dead at an area
hospital. He was the first Chesterfield firefighter -- career or volunteer -- to die
in the Department's history. He is survived by his parents and three siblings.
The rescue squad, Unit 49, was from Station 4, Bon Air. Other units from the station were
responding to the call, but the squad was among the last of those vehicles.
Unit 49 is a 1991 Mack/Saulsbury CF600 Heavy Rescue, non walk-in six-man-cab heavy rescue squad
equipped for vehicle, heavy equipment, rope, and confined space rescue, according to the
department's web site.
Crews from the nearby city of Richmond
were filling in at the station following the accident.
The Bon Air station is part of the combination Chesterfield County system.
According to the site, 15 career firefighters employed by Chesterfield county and
40 volunteers. Career firefighters man one engine providing ALS response.
Volunteer personnel respond a BLS engine, heavy and tatical rescue truck, and a brush truck.
The company responds to over 1000 calls per year, the site reported.
The Chesterfield County Police Department is conducting an investigation of the accident. No charges have been filed at this time.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Family Visitation will take place at the Bliley Funeral Home's Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull Street Rd., on Tuesday, December 21, 1999 between the hours of 1200 hours (noon) and 2100 hours (9:00 P.M.)
The service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 1999 at 1100 hours (11:00 A.M.) at the Huguenot United Methodist Church. The church is located at 10661 Duryea Dr, Richmond, Virginia, which is located just off of East Old Gun Rd, near the intersection of Huguenot Rd.
All Emergency Services personnel are ask to report to the St. Edwards Catholic Church, which is located at 10701 West Huguenot Rd, adjacent to East Old Gun Rd. Apparatus and staff vehicles will be staged there and further directions will be provided. We ask that units be staged by 0930 hours (9:30 A.M.)
The Funeral Service will be open to all Emergency Services personnel and is immediately adjacent to the apparatus staging area. Immediately following the service the funeral procession will pass apparatus which will line the roadside leading to the interment site. The family has requested that the grave side service be a private family service. Due to these wishes, there will be no apparatus procession following the Funeral Service.
Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services will be hosting a Luncheon and Fellowship Service immediately following the Funeral Service. This service will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the Huguenot Road Baptist Church, immediately adjacent to the area will the apparatus will be staged. We encourage all to attend.
Full dress uniforms are encouraged, but not required.
In lieu of flowers, the McNeer Family ask that donations be made to the Bradley McNeer Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations may be mailed to the Chesterfield Fire Department, P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA, 23832.
Directions to Services:
From I-95 north and 64 east: I-95 south to Chippenham Parkway. Chippenham Parkway north to Huguenot Road exit. Left at the light and follow approximately 4 miles to church on the left (east) side of roadway.
From I-95 south: I-95 north to Chippenham Parkway. Chippenham Parkway north to Huguenot Road exit. Left at the light and follow approximately 4 miles to church on the left (east) side of roadway.
From I-64 west: I-64 west to I-195 south to Powhite Parkway south (toll road) to Midlothian Turnpike exit. Midlothian Turnpike west to Huguenot Road. Right at the light onto Huguenot Road approximately 2 miles to church on right (east) side of roadway.
From Rt. 60 west: Midlothian Turnpike (Rt. 60) east to Huguenot Road. Left at the light onto Huguenot Road approximately 2 miles to church on right (east) side of roadway.
From Rt. 360 south/west: Rt. 360 east to Rt. 288 north to Powhite Parkway north (toll) to Courthouse Road exit (1st exit on Powhite). Left at the light to Courthouse Road north. Courthouse Road turns into Huguenot Road after it crosses Midlothian Turnpike (Rt 60). Huguenot Road approximately 2 miles to church on right (east) side of roadway.
For additional information, please call 804-748-1360.
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