NICOLE LOZARE
Firehouse.Com News

A fire chief of 15 years died Jan. 17 when he lost control of his tanker. Fire Chief James Altic, 47, was on his way to a mutual aid call to a structure fire when he lost control of his tanker on the wet roads according to Chief Chuck Rowley of the Half Way Fire and Rescue Department.

Altic was driving the tanker on the wet road when his water load shifted on him. He may have overcorrected the tanker causing it to flip over. He was 8 miles away from the scene. Altic was crushed and died instantly according to Rowley.

"He was very safety minded…he always pounded in into our head," said Rowley who served under Altic for almost 7 years. "I was never worried about things that might happen to me when I entered a scene because he was always watching over everybody and making sure the scene was safe."

Altic served as Assistant Chief before becoming Chief two and a half years ago.

"He was very community oriented…everyone was important to him," said Rowley.

Altic spent most of his time managing "The Corner Store", the only convenience store in Half Way which he owned with his wife Marla Geary. He talked about his children a lot said Rowley.

"God needed someone really special…and Monday he took Jim," said Rowley.