LODD: Capt. Robert Gallardy, 47, Altoona FD, PA

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Gallardy, Robert 

Age: 47 

Cause of Death: Other 

Rank: Captain 

Nature of Death: Burns 

Classification: Career 

Emergency Duty: No   

Incident Date: 10/23/2005 

Duty Type: Training 

Incident Time: 12:45 

Activity Type: Other 

Death Date: 10/25/2005 

Fixed Prop. Use: Educational 

Fire Dept. Info: Altoona Fire Department

1319 Washington Avenue

Altoona , Pennsylvania  16601

Chief: Reynold D. Santone, Jr.

 

Initial Summary:    Robert Gallardy, Captain of the Altoona Fire Department, while leading a training exercise at the PA State Fire Academy as an Adjunct Insturctor, suffered burns over a large part of his body including his face and respiratory tract.

He was taken to Lehigh Valley Burn Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Viewings will be held Saturday, October 29, 2005 and Sunday, October 30, 2005 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and again from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.at the Stevens Mortuary, 1421 8th Avenue, Altoona.

A funeral to honor Capt Gallardy will be held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1304 Cathedral Square, Altoona on Monday, October 31, 2005 beginning at 10:00 a.m.; Any FD's that plan to attend the services should call the Altoona FD at 814-949-2281 to register and provide the number of personnel attending.

FD's are requested to bring only 1 piece of apparatus and they must be in place by 8 AM. Detailed directions will be provided when FD's call in to register. This information provided by AFD Chief Renny Santone.   

US Fire Admin.

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Thoughts and prayers are with his family, fellow FFs and friends. RIP Capt. Gallardy.

Coroner: Firefighter died from heat

By KATHY MELLOTT

CNHI News Service

ALTOONA— A Summerhill native who died while leading fellow firefighters in training exercises succumbed to heat injuries, the Lehigh County Coroner ruled Wednesday.

Following an autopsy, Coroner Scott Grim listed the death of Altoona Fire Capt. Robert Gallardy as accidental and said it was caused by “thermal trauma.â€

The single-page release from Grim’s office made no mention of other physical reasons that may have played a part in the incident, and the coroner declined to make any further statements.

In Altoona, where Gallardy has been a firefighter for nine years, officials are preparing for what is expected to be thousands of mourners on Monday. Most will be firefighters from across the state and nation, Altoona fire Chief Reynold Santone said.

“We’re expecting a lot of firefighters, several thousand, in Altoona,†Santone said during a press conference at the fire department’s administration building. “It’s been a sad time for our department and all departments.â€

Gallardy will be buried Monday at the New Germany Cemetery in Cambria County after a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, officials said.

Gallardy’s wife, Vickie, and his sons – Kyle, Drew and Derek, ranging in age from 15 to 21 – and other family members will receive visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Stevens Mortuary, 1421 8th Ave., Altoona.

The funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the cathedral at the corner of 13th Street and 13th Avenue, Altoona.

Gallardy, 47, of the 400 block of East Cherry Avenue, Altoona, died Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, where he was taken Sunday after collapsing during a training accident at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown.

The precise circumstances surrounding Gallardy’s death remain a mystery.

He was training firefighters during a controlled burn on how to teach others about dealing with structural blazes. He apparently became disabled and collapsed in the basement.

Gallardy was wearing his turnout gear, helmet and self-contained breathing apparatus at the time.

He was an adjunct instructor, the highest level at the academy.

“There was nothing unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary was taking place,†state Fire Commissioner Edward Mann said.

Gallardy had no known physical ailments and was described by Santone as being in “excellent physical shape.â€

“Ironically, he was in charge of physical fitness for recruits. He made sure they were physically fit,†Santone said.

Mann said four colleagues found Gallardy.

“Three instructors and one full-time employee of the academy went to the basement and found the captain,†he said.

Burns were reported over 75 percent of Gallardy’s body, including around his face and respiratory system, authorities said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called in to investigate.

Mann and James Glasson, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 299, joined Santone at the press conference Wednesday.

Mann said Gallardy was the first fatality at the state-run Mifflin County fire training academy.

Glasson and many of the two dozen firefighters who gathered at the administration building Wednesday had high praise for their comrade.

“His integrity was beyond reproach. He was a great family man and, if I needed something from Bob, no matter what it was, I would not get a no answer,†Glasson said.

Despite the loss, officials said the state-certified fire school is essential for every firefighter.

“It’s the only way you can do your job. You need the training,†Glasson said.

Gallardy was promoted to captain in July.

Officials said Wednesday that he still considered himself a member of the Summerhill Borough Volunteer Fire Company, where he fought fires for 21 years.