| Name | Steven Wilmot |
| Agency | Springfield Fire Department |
| Rank | Captain |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 46 to 50 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 7/18/1953 |
| Date of Death | 8/9/2000 |
| Cause of Death | Fall |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Fire investigations , Post-incident |
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Springfield |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 7/18/2000 15:30 |
| Incident Location | Residential |
| Incident Attribute | Arson , Fires |
On July 18, 2000, Captain Steven Max Wilmot of the Springfield Fire Department was fatally injured in the line of duty.
On July 18, the Springfield Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Brown Street, and firefighters believed that arson may have started the fire. Wilmot and another fire department investigator were summoned to the scene to investigate the cause and origin shortly after the fire was extinguished. Wilmot was moving through the house when he tripped and fell, pinning his camera between his torso and some debris. Wilmot resumed his investigation, but sought medical attention later that night due to severe pain from his fall. Wilmot received medical treatment over the next three weeks, but a number of complications developed, and he succumbed to his injuries on August 9.
Funeral services for Wilmot were held at the Prairie Capital Convention Center on August 14, and he was interred at Camp Butler National Cemetery. A member of the Springfield Fire Department for fifteen years, Wilmot was survived by his widow and three children.
Four children were later arrested for starting the fire, and because of Wilmot’s injury, the Springfield Fire Department instituted a policy directing fire investigators to always operate in pairs while moving through a fire scene.
Citations:
John Reynolds, “Firefighter’s death saddens department,” State Journal Register, August 10, 2000.
Sarah Antonacci, “Firefighter’s death leads to homicide investigation,” State Journal Register, August 11, 2000.
Obituary of Steven Wilmot, State Journal Register, August 11, 2000.
Additional Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200037.html