During a fire fight in extreme heat on Labor Day, a fire chief collapsed with an apparent heart attack.
Cavour Chief Josh Kogel, 48, was transported to a local hospital where he died.
His death has left area firefighters reeling, Huron Chief Ron Hines told KELO.
Kogel was remembered as a generous and hard-working man who loved what he did.
“Thank you for serving and protecting our community. Your courageous work does not go unnoticed. You show up in difficult situations and always put others before yourselves. You’re all appreciated more than you’ll ever know, and you are all true heroes,” Public Safety Commissioner Drew Weinreis said at a press conference Tuesday.
Hines says Kogel was his close friend for 27 years and his death is felt throughout the community.
“He would give you the shirt off his back to help you with anything. Very, very good guy 20-20 plus years probably 27 years in the fire service. He’ll be greatly missed by his friends and family and his brothers and sisters in the fire service,” Hines said.
On Monday afternoon, Kogel answered his final alarm when his department was dispatched to assist Huron at Hurd Alignment & Repair. A police officer reported three buildings at the business were ablaze. Dark, thick smoke filled the sky throughout the area.
Funeral services are pending.
