[Archived] Alexandria Fire Department Paramedic Succumbs to Injuries Sustained During February 8 Emergency Response

News Highlights

Paramedic Weissman responded to a car fire on I-395 near Glebe Road at approximately 6:21 PM on February 8.
He fell from the roadway, where he suffered a severe head injury and was transported to the Washington Hospital Center Trauma Unit.
Paramedic Weissman died at 4:25 p.m. today; funeral arrangements are pending.
More Information alexandriava.gov/57158

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Paramedic Joshua Weissman

It is with great sadness that Alexandria Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel announced the death of Paramedic Joshua Weissman at 4:25pm today. While responding to a car fire on Interstate 395 near Glebe Road on the evening of February 8, Paramedic Weissman fell from the roadway, where he suffered a severe head injury. He was rescued by City of Alexandria and Arlington County Firefighters and Paramedics, with assistance from the City of Alexandria and Arlington County Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. Despite valiant efforts by the medical team at the Washington Hospital Center, Paramedic Weissman’s injuries proved to be fatal.

Paramedic Joshua “Josh” Weissman was hired as a Medic I for the Alexandria Fire Department in April 2006, and was promoted to Medic II the following year. Most recently, he was assigned to the D Shift at Fire Station 206 (Seminary Road).

Josh had a recurring history of outstanding performance ratings. He was an enthusiastic and engaging instructor. He took great pleasure in researching and proposing innovative procedures and protocols, and identifying the latest equipment on the market. He was an active participant in, and member of, the EMS Training Committee, the EMS Quality Management Committee (where he was in charge of the Call of the Quarter Submissions), and the EMS 1/5/10/20 Committee. Josh was also involved in establishing and implementing a training program on Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI).

Josh was instrumental in the establishment of the Field Training Program for EMS Interns, served as a Field Training Officer, and received the Alexandria Jaycees Award in 2011 for his contributions to the Field Training Program for EMS Interns. He was a recipient of an Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Valor Award. He was also certified as an Acting EMS Supervisor (Medic III) and served in that role on various occasions.

Josh had received letters from members of the Alexandria community commending him for his work and his effectiveness while on scene at incidents. In one situation, for example, Josh had responded to a home incident in which a grandmother, who had been carrying her young grandson, had tripped and fallen. The boy’s mother, upon arriving home after the incident, was concerned with the medical status of her son. Josh revisited the home and reassured the mother that he had thoroughly checked the little boy during the initial response, thus alleviating the mother’s concerns. The mother was so impressed by Josh’s concern that she wrote a letter to the Fire Chief expressing her appreciation for Josh’s actions.

Paramedic Weissman was certified as a NREMT-Paramedic in the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. He also held instructorship status in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS).

Paramedic Weissman was born in Ithaca, New York on February 23, 1978. He lived with his wife, Rebecca, in Bristow, Virginia.

Funeral arrangements are pending. The Alexandria Fire Department asks the public to offer their thoughts and prayers for Josh and his family. The Department has not only lost an outstanding employee and Paramedic, but a dedicated co-worker and friend. This is a day of great sadness for all in the Alexandria Fire Department, and for the City of Alexandria.

The last line of duty death experienced by the Alexandria Fire Department during an emergency incident was in 1965. In that incident Firefighter Roger Welker suffered a heart attack atop an aerial ladder at fire scene.

For more information, contact Robert B. Rodriguez, Chief Fire Marshal / Community Services Officer, Alexandria Fire Department, at 703.746.5217 or robert.rodriguez@alexandriava.gov


Joshua Weissman's turnout gear and medic unit are positioned in front of Alexandria Station 206 in memory of Paramedic Weissman's passing February 9. Photos courtesy of the Alexandria Fire Department.