Vandergrift #1 VFD

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, will hold an annual memorial weekend of activities in May for all line of duty fire personnel deaths that occur across the country. This year on May 2nd and 3rd, they are memorializing 204 responders who have died while serving their communities. One of those deaths being honored is Captain Ronald Shaffer from Station 51. Ron died on March 27, 2024. After attending a Tuesday evening training class, he responded to a vehicle accident on the rescue truck and then suffered a heart attack after returning home. He passed away in route to the hospital in a medical helicopter.
Family members and fire personnel will attend several planned events including a Candlelight Service at the memorial on Saturday evening, and a Sea of Blue procession for the families as they arrive for the Memorial Service on Sunday from 10 am to noon. Ron is the third line of duty death (LODD) suffered by the George G. McMurtry Vandergrift No. 1 Fire Department in our 129-year history.
Our additional LODD includes Eric Fitzgerald in 1983, and Richard Gabrielli in 2004.