07/22/2026
Today we would like to stop and recognize Fairbury Firefighter Brian J. Munz who made the ultimate sacrifice on July 22nd 2008.
July 22, 2008 - LODD
Firefighter Brian J. Munz, 24
Fairbury Fire Department. Fairbury, IL
Firefighter Munz died while fighting a residential fire in Forrest, Illinois. The Fairbury Fire Department was one of seven mutual aid departments that responded to the fire, which was confined to the basement of a two-story house. As firefighters entered the basement with an attack line, Munz and three other Fairbury firefighters contributed to ventilation operations by opening first floor windows. As they worked, the Fairbury firefighters recognized that the floor was weakening and becoming spongy, but as they were exiting the structure, the floor collapsed and Munz fell into the basement. The collapse sent fire and heavy smoke throughout the house, and firefighters could not immediately begin search and rescue operations. Water streams were aimed into the basement, and firefighters were soon able to place a ground ladder through the collapsed floor to descend into the basement. Munz was found pinned under a large sofa in the basement, and he was extricated and transported to OSF Saint James- John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, Illinois, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. At autopsy, it was found that Firefighter Munz had first and second degree burns over 50 percent of his body. His carboxyhemoglobin level was normal. The cause of death was listed as positional asphyxiation; Firefighter Munz was crushed by debris, principally a sofa, and was unable to breathe. His facepiece stayed in place.
