Excerpts from FireRescue1.com
Firefighters often face heartbreak as part of their duty. Finding comfort in the hope that others might learn from such moments and prevent future tragedies is a common way to cope.
The recent passing of Kenneth Lehr, the volunteer fire chief from Medora, Illinois, was one such heartbreaking event. It was an unexpected and senseless accident that left many in shock and searching for answers.
As with many similar incidents, some people immediately looked for someone to blame. In this case, it was Patrick Cullum, the firefighter who was operating the engine that led to Chief Lehr’s death.
On February 5th, a landing zone (LZ) was set up to transport an injured patient to a trauma center. However, the initial location was deemed unsuitable, and a second site about a mile away was chosen. Cullum, 47, drove the fire engine from the first LZ to the new location.
As he pulled off the highway near the second LZ, Cullum claims he saw personnel nearby—about 10 to 15 yards away. What he didn’t realize was that Chief Lehr had been riding on the back of the engine, unnoticed by him. In the brief moment between stopping and putting the truck into reverse, Lehr either fell or stepped off the tailboard and was struck by the reversing vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cullum has since expressed deep regret over not taking the extra 10 seconds to find a spotter before backing up. “Someone told me that Chief Lehr had fallen off the truck before I could stop,†he said. “This wasn’t an accident—it was my responsibility to ensure the safety of the vehicle. In an accident, there’s nothing you can do to change the outcome. But in an incident like this, things could have been prevented.â€
Early reports from state police and local news were limited in details regarding the patient’s condition, the call for assistance, which departments responded, and the exact locations of the landing zones. Those specifics are expected to be included in the final OSHA report.
Cullum is not alone in this situation. Many emergency responders have reversed vehicles without a spotter, a practice that reflects what experts call the "normalization of deviance." It's similar to not wearing a seatbelt or being distracted while driving an emergency vehicle—dangerous habits that can lead to serious consequences.
Medora is a close-knit community. After the incident, members of Chief Lehr’s family asked Cullum not to attend the funeral and requested his resignation from the department. He respected both requests and stepped down.
While the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the risks firefighters face, it also serves as a powerful lesson in the importance of vigilance, communication, and accountability in emergency operations.
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