An Alabama firefighter passed away Friday morning after responding to an emergency call.
Lt. Joey Qualls, 29, was a 14-year veteran of the Bayou La Batre Fire Department.
Cricket Vigor of Mobile County Emergency Medical Services said Qualls died after returning home from a fire call at 10:40 a.m. His fiancee found him and department Chief Gary Johnson arrived on the scene and attempted resuscitation.
Vigor did not have information about the incident Qualls was working before he died, and she said the casuse of death will be determined by an autopsy. She said officials expect his death to qualify as a line of duty death.
"He was very well-liked among the entire community," Vigor said.
She said Qualls was involved in numerous community activities in addition to the fire department, such as maintaining the lawns of several non-profit groups.
During the critical incident stress debriefing at Qualls' residence today, "I could barely park my vehicle," she said.
The Bayou La Batre Fire Department is a 22-member all volunteer department that operates out of one station and serves an area of about 100 square miles. Vigor said the movie "Forrest Gump" filmed there and based its shrimping community on this town.
Funeral arrangements and additional information will be posted when they become available.
