Bristol, October 4, 2025
News Summary
The Bristol community is deeply saddened by the passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Clawson, who died following a medical emergency during his duty. Clawson, 40, was a dedicated member of the Bristol Fire Department since 2018 and was honored as a life member of the Carter’s Valley Volunteer Fire Department. As the community grieves, arrangements are being made to honor his contributions to public service. Additionally, plans for Pennsylvania’s first advanced rail incident training facility are underway to improve emergency response skills in the region.
Bristol Community Mourns Loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Clawson, 40
The Bristol community is grieving the loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Clawson, age 40, who suffered a medical emergency while on duty at Fire Station 4. Clawson, who joined the Bristol Fire Department in 2018, was also an active member of both the Church Hill Rescue Squad and the Carter’s Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Recently, he was honored as a life member of Carter’s Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
Firefighter Jason Hilton described Clawson as a passionate paramedic firefighter who dedicated his life to helping others and animals. Funeral arrangements for Clawson are currently pending as the community comes together to honor his service and sacrifice.
In a separate development, Bristol Township will host Pennsylvania’s first advanced rail incident training facility for emergency personnel. This significant project aims to enhance the skills of local firefighters, emergency medical crews, and police for handling hazardous rail incidents. An agreement for the facility was approved last week by the Bucks County Commissioners.
The proposed training facility will be constructed in partnership with various local organizations, including Bucks County Community College, Dow Chemical, and Conrail. This facility will be situated on land leased to Bucks County Community College’s Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center. The training center will help save local first responders the expense of traveling out of state for specialized training.
Nationwide, train derailments average about 1,000 per year, demonstrating the need for enhanced local training. As part of this project, Dow Chemical will provide mobile safety trains for the training sessions. The facility is expected to open in 2026, with the training area incorporated within the Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center.
Officials at Bucks County Community College believe that the facility will not only benefit local emergency personnel but will also attract first responders from outside of Bucks County. The training curriculum aims to improve the preparedness of first responders for incidents involving hazardous materials carried by freight trains.
In related news, the Bucks County Community College recently celebrated the graduation of over 120 firefighters who completed training, with many achieving national certifications. This reflects an ongoing commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities in the region.
FAQ Section
Who was Brandon Clawson?
What happened to Clawson?
What is the advanced rail incident training facility?
When is the training facility expected to open?
Key Features of the Article
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brandon Clawson’s Age | 40 |
| Joined Bristol Fire Department | 2018 |
| Advanced Rail Incident Training Facility | First in Pennsylvania |
| Projected Opening | 2026 |
| Avg. Train Derailments Nationwide | 1,000 per year |
| Graduates from Bucks County Community College | Over 120 firefighters |
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Additional Resources
- PhillyBurbs: Bristol Warriors Volunteer Firefighters
- Wikipedia: Bristol Fire Department
- Levittown Now: New Rail Safety Training Site
- Google Search: Bucks County Community College Firefighter Graduation
- Taunton Gazette: Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Hazmat Incident
- Google Scholar: Rail Safety Training
- WCYB: Bristol Tennessee Fire Department EMT Training Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Paramedic Training Programs
- BMS: First Responders Keeping BMS Safe
- Google News: Brandon Clawson Firefighter
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
