Skip to main content

Local 2960 Rallies to Support Family of Fallen Dispatcher

Megan Lange had only recently returned from maternity leave when she arrived for her shift as an emergency dispatcher with the Phoenix Fire Department on Jan. 27. No one knew it would be her last day on the job.
Local 2960 Rallies to Support Family of Fallen Dispatcher
By Olivia Sandbothe ·
Tags: Our Stories
Local 2960 Rallies to Support Family of Fallen Dispatcher
Megan Lange had only recently returned from maternity leave when she arrived for her shift as an emergency dispatcher with the Phoenix Fire Department on Jan. 27. No one knew it would be her last day on the job.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Megan Lange had only recently returned from maternity leave when she arrived for her shift as an emergency dispatcher with the Phoenix Fire Department on Jan. 27.  She was told to take furlough and go home early.  No one knew it would be her last day on the job.

Lange was struck and killed by a drunk driver who was headed the wrong way on Interstate 17.  She leaves behind her husband, two young sons aged 6 months and 2 years, and a grieving community of AFSCME sisters and brothers.

On Feb. 10, Lange was buried with full Fire Department honors at a funeral attended by more than 2,000 people.  Fifteen fire and EMS departments from around the state of Arizona were represented at the service.

As a member of Local 2960, Lange was passionate about the union cause.  In her five years with the Fire Department she took on an active role in union efforts and campaigned to protect city workers’ pensions from a harmful ballot measure in last fall’s midterm elections. 

“Her untimely death will leave a hole in the dispatch center and in our union,” says Frank Piccioli, president of Local 2960. “But the union has dedicated itself to take care of her family and make sure they are never alone.”

Lange’s husband Patrick is working to finish nursing school while raising his sons, Sean and Miles.  The union already raised $50,000 to support the family at this difficult time. If you would like to help please visit this page to make a donation. 

Related Posts