A Kentucky volunteer firefighter in a community just south of Louisville died last month after suffering a medical emergency following mandatory training.
The U.S. Fire Administration on Tuesday announced the line-of-duty death of Nichols Fire Protection District firefighter Joseph "Joey" Wright, who passed away on Sept. 24 after spending 10 days in an intensive care unit.
According to USFA, Wright, 39, participated in "strenuous" ladder training on Sept. 14 and continued assisting at the station before leaving for work. He then suffered chest pains and dizziness and was transported by ambulance to a hospital where he died 10 days later after suffering multiple cardiac events.
According to a post on the department's Facebook page, the six-year fire service veteran leaves behind a wife and three children.
"He took numerous classes and trainings on his own to better his knowledge and be the best he could for the department," the post says. "He handled the majority of our technology and software, he was always trying to better himself, the department and the members."
