Chicago Firefighter Dies During 3 p.m. West Ridge Training Exercise After 30 Years of Service
Updated
Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · May 15
Chicago Firefighter Dies During 3 p.m. West Ridge Training Exercise After 30 Years of Service
4 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · May 15
A veteran Chicago firefighter was fatally injured during a training exercise in West Ridge on Thursday afternoon and later died after being taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.
The injury happened around 3 p.m. in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue, though officials did not immediately release details about the drill itself.
Chicago fire officials said the fatal exercise was unrelated to a water rescue demonstration held earlier Thursday morning near Navy Pier.
An honor procession later escorted the firefighter’s body from St. Francis Hospital to the Cook County medical examiner’s office; the department said he had served 30 years.
What caused a 30-year veteran firefighter to suddenly die during a routine training exercise?
Are current health programs adequate for first responders facing the strains of a long career?