LODD: Capt. Rob McLaughlin-Ocean Shores, WA

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McLaughlin, Rob  

Age: 40 

Cause of Death: Caught or Trapped 

Rank: Captain 

Nature of Death: Drowning 

Classification: Career 

Emergency Duty: No   

Incident Date: 03/20/2006 

Duty Type: Training 

Incident Time: 15:30 

Activity Type: Other 

Death Date: 03/22/2006 

Fixed Prop. Use: Outdoor Property 

Fire Dept. Info:

Ocean Shores Fire Department

676 Point Brown Avenue, NE

PO Box 100

Ocean Shores , Washington  98569

Chief: Jim Hodges

  

Initial Summary:    Captain McLaughlin was participating in surf rescue training when the watercraft he was in capsized. 

He became caught in rough surf conditions. 

Once rescuers could reach him safely, he was found to be unresponsive. 

Care was initiated in the water and then he was brought to shore. 

He was transported to the hospital where he remained until he succumbed to his injuries (drowning).

Funeral Arrangements: 03/29/2006 @ 1400hrs, Ocean Shores Convention Center, Ocean Shores, WA  98569   

Memorial Fund Info: A memorial fund account has been established in the name of Captain Rob McLaughlin at Twin County Credit Union, 900 Point Brown Ave., NE, Ocean Shores, WA 98569; Tele. (800) 258-3115 ext. 6664 

USFA

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May he rest in peace.

credit: KOMO 4 News

Firefighter Killed In Training Accident Remembered

March 29, 2006

By Keith Eldridge

KOMO4 News

OCEAN SHORES - Hundreds of firefighters gathered in Ocean Shores to honor one of their own, killed in the line of duty.

Capt. Rob McLaughlin's passion was his work on the surf rescue team. He died last week in a training accident.

The crowd at the memorial at the Ocean Shores Convention Center was filled to overflowing. More than 1,000 people came here to pay tribute.

The beach is such a beautiful setting. That's why people come here. Sometimes they get into trouble and that's when rescuers like Rob jump into action.

Surf rescue is a dangerous job, but it's something Rob eagerly volunteered to do.

As a procession of nearly 100 fire trucks and rescue vehicles passes by, Ocean Shores resident Les Smith in tears says, "These men, trying to save other people. It's just really hard."

Smith and her friends just had to be here and pay tribute to Rob and all the men and women who put their lives on the line every day.

Rob died a week ago when he was knocked into the water during a training exercise. He was wearing a life jacket, survival suit and helmet.

"But they do what they have to do and they wanted to be prepared and we just lost him," Smith said.

The fire crews from all over the region came not to dwell on his death, but to celebrate his life.

"Just to support a fallen brother," said Everett Fire Department Capt. Bob Downey. "A 'line of duty death' and be here for his family and do what we can to support them."

Rob leaves behind his wife Christine and three children, Christa, Katalin and Killian. They were his first love.

Fire-rescue was his second. At 16, he volunteered with fire departments and then signed on with Ocean Shores. He quickly rose to the rank of captain, and he had just joined the surf rescue team a year ago.

"Rob was fireman all the way," Ocean Shores fire chief Jim Hodges said. "He lived it, he ate it, he breathed it and unfortunately he died it, but he died doing what he loved doing and that was preparing himself to save and give to other people."

Rob talked with KOMO 4 News 8 years ago when he was among the first to try to save another surf rescuer, Lt. Jim Davis, who died in a rescue.

Now, firefighters from all over the area have returned to Ocean Shores to say goodbye to the second surf rescuer killed in the line of duty.

The sheriff and state are still investigating what happened. But the other surf rescue team members say they're ready to go if someone gets in trouble out here.