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Rodney Keith Eddins

Lieutenant Eddins and the members of his fire company responded to a working fire in a residence. Lieutenant Eddins participated in search and rescue operations. Once the fire was knocked down at 0005hrs, Lieutenant Eddins exited the structure and went to Rehab. Approximately 15 minutes later, he re-entered the structure to assist with salvage and overhaul operations. While he was shoveling debris for removal from the building, he became ill and collapsed. He was treated and transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead at 0116hrs. The cause of death was a heart attack.

Incident Location: 4513 Marigold Lane (U.S. National Grid: 15S YU 6527 7973)

Department Information

Memphis Fire Department
65 S Front Street
U.S. National Grid: 15S YU 6830 9297
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Chief: Memphis Fire Director Gina Sweat

Rodney Keith Eddins was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.
Age: 57 
Rank: Lieutenant 
Classification: Career 
Incident date: Apr 16, 2016 23:34
Date of death: Apr 17, 2016 
Cause of death: Stress/Overexertion 
Nature of death: Heart Attack 
Activity type: Support 
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire 
Fixed property use: Residential