Former Cabin John Park Fire Chief's Name To Be Added To Memorial Wall

BETHESDA, MD — A plaque with the name of former Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief James Seavey Sr. will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation memorial wall in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation announced this week that Seavey’s death will be considered a line of duty death, allowing a plaque with his name to be added to the memorial wall.

Seavey died on Sept. 4, 2018, at the age of 58 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer presumed to have been a result of contact with toxic substances during his 42 years of service as a first responder.

Firefighters who lose their lives fighting an occupational disease are recognized as having died in the line of duty and are recognized for their service by having their name added to the monument.

During his career as a firefighter, Seavey worked to reduce the health risks faced by first responders and raise awareness of their job-related health hazards. He was instrumental in researching and writing the International Association of Fire Chiefs “Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer,” published just prior to his death.

Seavey was present every October at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation memorial, when the names of firefighters who died in the line of duty were added to the wall.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has moved memorial weekend from October to May 2023, when Seavey’s name will now be added to the memorial.

Born in Washington, D.C., Seavey grew up in Bethesda's Westmoreland Hills. In 1976, as a 16-year-old at Walt Whitman High School, he served as a volunteer at the Glen Echo Fire Department. There he rose to the rank of assistant chief. He moved to the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department in 1990 and took the office of fire chief in 1992, a post he held until retiring on Dec. 31, 2017.

Seavey served as a professional firefighter for the District of Columbia starting in 1986. He later served as a lieutenant with No. 17 Engine Company (Brookland). After his promotion to captain, his career culminated with an assignment at No. 11 Truck Company (Brightwood). He retired from the D.C. fire department in January 2016.