Rural Metro, AZ, Firefighter Recruit Dies after Heat-Related Illness

Aug. 24, 2024
Recruit Cody Treatch, who fell ill Aug. 14 during training, died Friday.

A firefighter recruit who suffered a heat-related emergency during training has died.

Rural Metro Recruit Cody Treatch fell ill Aug. 14 and was rushed to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, according to KGUN. 

His condition progressively worsened, and he died Friday morning. 

“Our focus is on supporting the Treatch family and our personnel as we all mourn the passing of Cody and work through this difficult time.” Fire Chief Karl Isselhard said.

A motorcade with the Tucson Police Department, Tucson Fire Department, Northwest Fire District, and Davis-Monathan Fire escorted Treatch's body to the medical examiner's office. 

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.