14-Year Veteran was Dedicated Family Man and Firefighter

Firehouse.Com News

A dedicated family man and captain with the City of Manteca Fire Department in Central California made the supreme sacrifice Wednesday in a freak accident during a training exercise.

Thomas Moore, 38, was conducting a drill at the Regional Fire Training Center that required firefighters to climb a ladder to the second floor, advance a hoseline up the ladder and extinguish a fire. During the exercise, Moore fell 18 feet from a second-story window, suffering traumatic neck and head injuries.

Advanced life support measures were initiated quickly, but Moore was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital.

Moore was wearing full protective clothing and SCBA at the time of the accident. He is the first firefighter from the 50-member of the department to die in the line of duty. "He was scheduled to take part in the training with his engine company this day but was requested to replace of our training officer due to an illness," fellow Captain Andrew Kellogg, who was with Moore at the time of the accident.

Moore, a 14-year veteran, leaves behind a wife of 16 years, Robin, an eleven year old daughter, Sarah, and a six year old son, Kevin.

He taught Haz-Mat classess throughout the United States, Guam and Singapore, Kellogg said. He was a devoted family man and Christian.

Moore assisted with pastoring his church and taught Sunday school classes, and regularly took youth groups on mountain climbing trips and camping.

"Tom will be greatly missed by all he touched," Kellogg said. "He died doing what he loved to do."

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