Members of Fire Fighters Local 2665 and the Rock Community Fire Protection District are mourning the loss of one of their own and have started a fundraiser to help the longtime fire fighter’s family.
Captain Alan “Al” McClain passed away unexpectedly Jan. 2 at age 49. He was a third-generation fire fighter at Rock Community and leaves behind a wife and five kids. He was a member of the Rock Community Fire family for almost 32 years, starting as a volunteer in 1992 and becoming a full-time fire fighter and EMT in 1998.
“Unfortunately his death did not qualify for line of duty, so the family will not receive the federal death benefit or BackStoppers assistance,” said Paul Vessels, Local 2665 Fifth District vice president. “The Rock Community shop has started a fundraiser to help with this financial burden for the family.”
Vessels urged donations of any amount to help Brother McClain’s grieving family with funeral expenses, insurance coverage, bills, mortgage payments and other expenses.
A funeral service was held for Brother McClain Jan. 8 at Immaculate Conception Church in Arnold. He is the third member of the Rock Community Fire Protection District to die over the past year. Battalion Chief Al “Alfie” LaPointe died in March 2023, and fire fighter Robert “Scotty” Broombaugh died in October 2023.
DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY
Brother McClain’s wife Nicole told The Leader newspaper that her husband became a fire fighter because he was dedicated to serving his community.
“And the man just loved to fight fire,” she said in the article. “He was born to do it. Being a fire fighter kept him connected to the community, and I know he loved that. He didn’t boast about it, but I know he loved it.”
DONATE
You can donate to the fundraiser via Venmo @Nikki-LearMcClain or you can write a check payable to Rock Community Professional Fire Fighters and mail it to 3749 Telegraph Road, Arnold, Mo. 63010.
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