It is with tremendous sadness that the Virginia Department of Fire Programs announces the passing of H. Dean Paderick.
A member of the fire service for more than 50 years, Dean served the Commonwealth as the VDFP Roanoke Area Office Manager prior to becoming the Director of Training.
During his tenure, he established the Heavy and Tactical Rescue Team, now known as HTR, assembling a group of individuals to provide specialized rescue services and to develop programs to train others in these highly skilled techniques.
Dean’s list of affiliations, associations, and memberships is extensive and includes: United States Marine Corps, FEMA US&R, VATF-2, Captain of
Virginia Heavy and Tactical
Rescue Team, Chief of Troutville Volunteer Fire Department, and a founder of
Spec Rescue International. He was instrumental in establishing multiple technical rescue schools where he mentored and trained generations of firefighters from around the world. Outside the classroom, Dean applied his skills throughout his decades of service, responding or advising on numerous natural and man-made disasters including the Mexico City earthquake, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Centers after 9/11.
Technical rescue in the fire service would not be where it is today without the countless contributions of Dean Paderick. Current and future members owe their skills to the programs he developed and provided through his tremendous skill, knowledge, and passion.
We at VDFP remember and thank Dean for his mentorship, dedication, and service and we join all those who were trained by him in expressing our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 8 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Troutville Baptist Church located at 5520 Lee Highway, Troutville, VA 24175.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 1 p.m. at Bonsack Baptist Church located at 4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA 24019.
