Lieutenant Isai Huerta, 29, died Sunday after he and two other firefighters were injured while responding to a trailer fire in the 1900 block of South Westcliff Road in Odessa, according to a city of Odessa news release.
Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 4:59 p.m. While crews were operating at the scene, conditions deteriorated, resulting in injuries to three firefighters. All three were transported to Medical Center Hospital. Huerta later died from his injuries. The other two firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving care.
Huerta served with Odessa Fire Rescue for nine years.
“Isai was a huge part of our organization, a true firefighter,” Odessa Fire Rescue Chief Jason Cotton said in a statement. “He was always happy, always willing to help, and he truly enjoyed the job. Our department is in need of prayer, guidance, and grace as we navigate moving forward. We grieve alongside Isai’s family and ask our community to keep them and our firefighters in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick described Huerta as a “hero” who dedicated his life to protecting others.
The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters is leading the investigation into the incident. Representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters were also expected to travel to Odessa to provide support.
According to the National Fire Protection Association’s annual report on firefighter fatalities, 72 firefighters died while on duty in the United States in 2024.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 615, families of firefighters who die as a result of line-of-duty injuries may be eligible for survivor benefits. The law provides financial assistance to eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents of firefighters and other first responders who die from line-of-duty injuries. Eligible survivors may receive a state lump-sum death benefit, which is set at $500,000 and adjusted periodically for inflation.
The law also provides additional survivor benefits, including health insurance coverage for qualifying dependents. Texas law states that firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection who die while performing certified firefighting duties are considered to have died in the line of duty for purposes of the statute.
According to state information on the program, the benefits apply to firefighters employed by the state and political subdivisions, including municipal fire departments.
Odessa Fire Rescue said it has begun debriefing personnel and is providing firefighters and first responders access to emotional health, mental health, and peer-support resources following the incident.