Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Howard Strube |
| Agency | Canton Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 31 to 35 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 9/5/1963 |
| Date of Death | 9/7/1997 |
| Cause of Death | Caught/Trapped |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | Equipment failure |
| Type of Duty | Aerial apparatus operations , Ladder operations , Training duties |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Canton |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 9/7/1997 15:0 |
| Incident Location | Training ground |
| Incident Attribute | Training accidents , Aerial apparatus accidents |
Incident Summary
Firefighter Howard E. Strube Jr, died on September 7, 1997, at the age of 34. Strube was appointed as a probationary firefighter for the Canton Fire Department on June 8, 1995. He completed his probation one year later and was permanently appointed as a career firefighter.
In late August of 1997, the Canton Fire Department accepted delivery of a new 100’ platform truck. Members of the department had anxiously awaited the delivery of the truck, which replaced a 50 year old, 85’ straight ladder truck. After delivery, department members were instructed in its use and began to practice driving and operating the apparatus. During the same time period, small tools and other firefighter equipment were being located and mounted to the truck.
Shortly before 3 PM on September 7, 1997, Strube and other firefighters were in the parking lot behind the Central Fire Station practicing apparatus operations. Strube was serving as the safety person and was located on the platform at the base of the ladder. As the ladder was being retracted by personnel in the bucket at the top of the ladder, Strube somehow became entrapped in the ladder. On duty firefighters provided immediate basic life support and paramedics arrived moments later to assist. Strube was rushed to Graham Hospital, but died of his injuries. Strube was survived by his wife and three sons.
Summary by John Stanko, Canton Fire Department
Firefighter and Incident Images
