CNBNews

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Clair Melvin Pierce, age 68

Rank: Firefighter

Date of Death: 12/26/2009

Fire Department: Wellsboro Fire Department

Address: PO Box 81, 21 Pearl ST, Wellsboro, PA 16901

Fire Department Chief: Lonnie W. Campbell

Fire Department Website: http://www.wellsborofire.com/

Incident Description: Firefighter Pierce passed away at home after responding to a series of EMS and fire calls. The cause and nature of Firefighter Pierce’s fatal injury are still to be reported.

Funeral Arrangements: Friends and family are invited to Clair's Life Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main St., Wellsboro. There will be a viewing for fire service personnel at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Peter A. DeVantier officiating. Burial will be in Wellsboro Cemetery.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Memorials may be made in memory of Firefighter Clair Melvin Pierce to the Wellsboro Firemen's Ambulance Association Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 81, Wellsboro, Pa. 16901.

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Clair Melvin Pierce at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 90 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2009; 87 from incidents that occurred in 2009 and three from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm