World Wide Emergency Services Institute

WWESI owner on the cover of Southeast & Country Club Living - Best Version Media

September is always one of our favorite months here at Southeast & Country Club Living, when we get the honor of featuring one of our area's first responders! This month, Meet Marion County Fire Rescue's Chief Nick Coutsouvanos!

Kody Michael Vanfossan, 24, of Christopher, died doing what he loved, on May 5, 2019 while battling a 6 alarm commercial fire in Christopher, IL. He idolized his father and followed in his footsteps by becoming a third generation volunteer fire fighter. They trained and fought fires side by side. Kody became a Cadet at the age of 16 and had a total of 9 years of service on a fire department. He worked at Nascote in Nashville. He was a devoted father and soon to be husband, a beloved son, brother, grandson, and nephew. Kody’s kind heart and willingness to help others earned him countless friends, both in and out of the fire service. He was born in Carbondale to Brent and Mindy Vanfossan on November 15, 1994. He is survived by his fiancé Casey Garrett, 5 month old son Erik Michael Vanfossan, his parents Brent & Mindy Vanfossan, brother Garrett Vanfossan, and sister Paige Vanfossan all of Christopher. Grandparents Gary and Kathy Bartolotti of Christopher, Lisa Wilkerson of Georgia, Terena Kash of Whittington, and Great Grand Mother Doris Adams of Huntsville, AL. His Uncle Michael (Susie) Bartolotti of Christopher. Several Cousins and Great Aunts and Great Uncles. He is proceeded in death by his grandparents Libero & Delphine Bartolotti, Mitch Wilkerson, Bob Adams and Tom Vanfossan. Funeral services will be on Friday May 10, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Christopher High School Gymnasium #1 Bearcat Drive Christopher, IL 62822 with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday May 9, 2019 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Christopher High School Gymnasium with a Firefighter Walkthrough at 7:30 PM. Visitation will also be on Friday from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM with a Firefighter Walkthrough at 10:45 AM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to an educational fund for his son, checks can be made payable to Erik Vanfossan care of Mindy Vanfossan and will be accepted at any State Bank of Whittington Bank, Christopher City Hall or the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Envelopes will also be available at the Christopher High School Gymnasium Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

Prayers for our brother and his family.

May 5, 2019 - LODD
Firefighter Kody Vanfossan, 24
Christopher Fire Department. Christopher, IL
Firefighter Vanfossan responded to a multi-alarm fire at a two-story vacant furniture store at 118 West Market St, in Christopher, Illinois. Upon arrival, heavy smoke could be seen coming out of the top floor of the structure. Vanfossan, along with a second firefighter, began an interior attack on the fire. As the two firefighters started down steps in the rear of the building, the steps collapsed. While the second firefighter was able to make it out of the building, a Mayday was issued for Vanfossan. Vanfossan was recovered from the building and placed into an ambulance where he was pronounced deceased. His father, Lieutenant Brent Vanfossen, was also operating at the fire. Investigation into the incident continues.

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Amazing shots from the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Great video footage of our brothers in Paris fighting the Notre Dame Cathedral fire using unmanned robotic master streams. So sick!