LODD - Oklahoma FF

[PVFD233 68]

from firehouse.com

MICHAH GAMINO

The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)

GEARY - Assistant Fire Chief Jon Bingham had been counting the days until he retired as a Geary volunteer firefighter, but his colleagues and friends never thought they would lose him so soon.

Just two days after he helped battle a deadly apartment fire on the southeast side of town, Bingham, 48, suffered a fatal heart-attack at his home Friday.

The 19-year veteran had been planning to retire after one more year with the department, Fire Chief Greg Lewis said Saturday.

"He was counting his days," Lewis said, "but none of us expected that year to come around so quick."

Lewis said he does not know what led to or caused Bingham's heart failure, but said he thinks the stress associated with their line of work was a contributing factor.

"We know it does" put a strain on the body, Lewis said.

"But we put other people first. If we don't do it, who's going to?"

On Wednesday, a fire ripped through several units of the Grand Valley Apartments on S County Line Road in Geary. Mark Whitebear, 58, was killed.

It took rescue crews 18 hours to extract Whitebear's body from one of the burned units on the lower floor of the building, and Bingham and 16 of his colleagues had to remain there the whole time.

Lewis called the conditions of the fire "extreme" and "unusual," but added that "when you're a volunteer (firefighter), you don't have shifts to work."

Jon Bingham's wife, Linda, declined comment Saturday about her husband's death. But she did offer gratitude to her supporters.

"I am grateful for everything the fire department and the community are doing to help me through this," she said.

Micah Gamino

[ENG47INE 17]

RIP

[Guest]

RIP asst. chief Jon Bingham!!

[TL2L31 8]

RIP CHIEF

[DOC22 1]

Rest in Peace, Chief and may God grant your family, friends and extended family the strength to make it through this difficult time.

[JM15 386]

RIP Chief

[Guest]

RIP Chief

[RescueKujo 130]

Rest in Peace, Chief. Take up, your job is done. Thoughts and prayers to his family and fellow firefighters.