08/13/2018
Green Bay Metro Fire Fighters
August 13th, 2006 is a dark day in Green Bay Metro Fire Department history. A dispatch for a house fire on Edgewood Drive started out like any other fire for the crew that day. While crews were attacking the fire, Ambulance 5 entered the structure with Lieutenant Arnie Wolff and Fire Fighter Brinkley conducting a search for any possible victims. Shortly after starting the search the floor collapsed, plummeting both of them into a fire engulfed basement. A wall separated the crew members, leaving Lt. Wolff trapped in a small room and FF Brinkley out in the living area of the basement. A Mayday was called on the radio by Lt. Wolff, and within minutes a flashover ensued bearing down deadly heat on the trapped members below. A fire that started out with fire fighters trying to save someone else's life quickly turned to fire fighters trying to save their own life. With both members badly injured, a rescue mission was started by crew members to locate and rescue their fellow Brother and Sister. FF Brinkley was able to extract herself from the basement after finding windows near the rear of the basement. Crew members conducted frantic and emotion driven searches to locate Lt. Wolff and multiple attempts were made, but due to heavy smoke and deadly heat, they were unable to extinguish the fire and locate Lt. Wolff. The amount of heroism and determination exhibited in these searches was unmeasurable, however tragically after every possible effort was made, Lieutenant Arnie Wolff would be lost. The fire department is a family, and the loss of our brother was tragic and eye-opening. His Line of Duty Death has taught us multiple lessons, and our department has grown and created safer working conditions from it. Nothing could have changed the outcome of that day, but his legacy is a constant reminder of the dangers of our job. Today is not a day of sadness, but a day to pay tribute to our Brother who gave the ultimate sacrifice, protecting the citizens of the city that he loved. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother"
Lieutenant Arnie Wolff
Rescue Company 5
Last Alarm #5747
August 13th, 2006
