FF/EMT Justin D. English, LODD in Iraq

[FFPCogs 863]

The following is a firefighter from Springdale Arkansas...not the Springdale Fire Co. of Stamford.

A former Springdale Ark. firefighter died Monday in Iraq when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb.

Justin D. English, 25, left the Springdale Fire Department on June 13 to take a job with Wackenhut Services Inc. He arrived in Iraq on June 30.

Justin English served as a Springdale firefighter and emergency medical technician from Sept. 11, 2006, until he left to do the same work as a private contractor in Iraq.

Wackenhut spokesman Sam Brinkley wouldn't release many details of the incident but said English was traveling in a convoy near Baghdad. Brinkley did not know the type of vehicle but said it would have been armored.

Brinkley said the company provides fire prevention and suppression duties protecting U.S. personnel at installations in Iraq. Employees can work alongside military firefighters or they can work alone, but they stay on base in either case.

Other Wackenhut personnel were injured, but Brinkley said he could not release more information about the incident.

Arlene English said her son had never married and did not have children. She said he was the type of man who was always ready with a kind word and helping hand.

*I have only posted excerpts from the full article. The full story is available at Firehouse.com. See the link below

Article

My deepest sympathy and condolences to Justin and his family.

R.I.P.

Cogs

Here is some additional info.

The vehicle in which FF English was travelling is called a Rhino..basically a armored bus. This vehicle is used as a short range transport between bases for military and civilian personnel.

Apparently FF English was being transported to his initial assignment base from Camp Liberty. (All civilian personnel process through Liberty before placement at their duty station). The IED was struck along the route somewhere between Camp Liberty and a nearby base..which one is unknown at this time.

2 KBR civilian employees were also killed, and a number of other cilvilian employees and military personnel were injured. No info on the number or extent of injuries.

Cogs

[RWC130 594]

REST IN PEACE

FF Justin D. English

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Rest in Peace, Firefighter English, and May God's Perpetual Light shine upon you.