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| Phillip Wayne Dean, 29, a Fire Engineer in the Fort Worth Fire Department, gave his life in the line of duty while fighting a church fire in Lake Worth, northwest of Fort Worth, on Monday, February 15, 1999. Phillip graduated from Castleberry High School. His love for his work began in 1986 when he first volunteered for the River Oaks Fire Department where he was very active and held the rank of Captain. Phillip graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Criminal Justice. Phillip graduated from the Fort Worth Fire Academy in May 1994. He served at Station 16 with Brian Collins previous to his recent promotion to Engineer. His coworkers remember his as soft-spoken, hard-working and a kind friend to all. Though he only had five years experience, he was a very knowledgeable firefighter. He truly loved his career, spending a great deal of time studying his profession. He had recently been assigned to Station 15 as a paramedic for the fire department hazardous materials team. Phillip truly loved serving others. Friends and firefighters all recall how he would be the first to help someone in need. He was quick with a smile, always upbeat and had a genuinely kind and gentle manner. He was greatly loved by those who knew him and was well known for his integrity, loyalty and compassion. Phillip was a dedicated family man. He married Renea in 1994 and they were expecting their first child the week of this tragedy. Phillip had spent that Monday morning preparing a room for his first child. Elijah Phillip was born on Saturday, February 20, 1999 and is named for his father and the prophet Elijah, who rode to heaven on a chariot of fire. Phillip taught a Sunday school class of ninth grade boys and enjoyed singing and playing his guitar. Phillip was a loving husband, father, son and brother, and a dedicated community servant. He will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten. |
| Brian William Collins, 35, a Lieutenant in the Fort Worth Fire Department, gave his life in the line of duty while fighting a church fire in Lake Worth, northwest of Fort Worth, on Monday, February 15, 1999 Brian served 15 years in the Fort Worth Fire Department and 19 years with the River Oaks Volunteer Fire Department. He was the first certified emergency medical technician (EMT) on the River Oaks Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 19, acting on his own initiative, paying for the course on his own. He was qualified as a master firefighter for Fort Worth through his years of experience and specialized training. He was a 10-year veteran master sergeant with the Air Force Reserve. He was on the promotion list for Fire Captain in the Fort Worth department. Brian earned an Associated Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Tarrant County Junior College and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University. Brian served at Station 16 in west Fort Worth and is remembered as a practical joker that could give and take a joke with the best of them. Brian also has a big heart and would give you the shirt off his back. He was a dedicated family man. Brian was a dedicated Christian as well, teaching Sunday school to pre-school age children. Brian's true love was children, and he had an interest in fire safety education. He had served as the fire safety coordinator for the Fort Worth Fire Department and was instrumental in forming the first group of "Firesafety Clowns" in 1995, performing at area schools, churches, and community activities. Brian was the first firesafety clown in the state and taught 'fire clowning' to numerous other firefighters across the state for the State Commission on Fire Protection. Brian married Mary Ray of Fort Worth in June 4, 1987. Son Ryan, age 5, and daughter Hannah, age 2 were the central elements of his life. His third child, Nathan, was born in June 1999. Brian was a godly man, a loving husband, father, son and brother and a dedicated community servant. He will be greatly missed by all that were fortunate enough to have known him. |
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