Three names to be added to firefighter memorial

The names of three firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty will be added to the Nevada Firefighters Memorial during ceremonies in Carson City 11 a.m. Oct. 13.

The firefighters being memorialized are:

• Clark County Firefighter Richard Washington Jr., died Aug. 8, 2006, following an on-duty heart attack.

Washington, 49, was a 17-year veteran of the Clark County Fire Department. He was hired Aug. 7, 1989, and was assigned to Fire Station 16 where he was working at the time of his death.

• Clark County Firefighter Robert Thomas Corse, 50, also died of a heart attack on Sept. 4, 2006.

He was a 15-year veteran of the Clark County Fire Department and was assigned to Fire Station 19. He was hired April 29, 1991, and was assigned to Fire Station 19 at the time of his death.

• Las Vegas Firefighter Mark Thomas Keeton, 44, died of cancer on May 8.

Cancer is considered a line-of-duty death because firefighters are exposed to the numerous chemicals and smoke that are present at every fire. The cancer rate among firefighters is three times higher than the average person.

Keeton was a 19-year veteran of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. He joined Las Vegas Fire & Rescue on Oct. 3, 1988, and at the time of his death was assigned to the ladder truck at Fire Station 9.

The addition of these three deaths brings the total number of names of Nevada firefighters known to have died in the line of duty to 56.

The earliest known line-of-duty death occurred in Gold Hill on Sept. 6, 1870.

Martin Panian, a member of Liberty Engine Company No. 1 of the Gold Hill Fire Department, was struck on the head, fell into an open cistern and drowned while fighters battled the Ashland House fire.

The memorial ceremony will also include presentation of the National Volunteer Fire Council Lifetime Achievement Award to the late state Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen who died July 26, 2006, at the age of 85.

Council Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg, who is the fire chief of in La Farge, Wis., will make the presentation to Sen. Jacobsen's family.

The award is made to individuals whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplify outstanding performance, and is one of only two awards that the National Volunteer Fire Council bestows.

Sen. Jacobsen was nominated for the honor by the board of directors of the Nevada State Firefighters Association because of his lifelong support of the Nevada fire service and his actions as a legislator in creating and supporting legislation benefiting public safety, firefighters and the Nevada fire service.

The Nevada Firefighters Memorial ceremony is always held the last Saturday of National Fire Prevention Week in October.

The ceremony will be at the Nevada Firefighters Memorial on the east side of Mills Park.

If you go

What: Nevada Firefighters Memorial ceremony

When: 11 a.m. Oct. 13

Where: Nevada Firefighters Memorial on the east side of Mills Park