By Dave Statter
STATter 911
WASHINGTON, D.C. — DC Fire & EMS is reporting that a 23-year-old Maryland man died this morning after becoming ill during a Sunday physical agility test at the department’s training academy in Southwest.
Eric Allen of Temple Hills was in the try-out stages in his effort to become a DC firefighter. Spokesman Alan Etter tells STATter 911 that Allen had already been through a medical evaluation and had reported to the academy early Sunday morning for a series of physical tests to determine if he was qualified to be a recruit.
According to a department press release, Eric Allen became ill after “completing a stair climbing exercise in the facility’s hose tower building”. The department says a paramedic examined Allen, who was having trouble breathing. This was at about 10:00 AM. He was taken to Greater Southeast Community Hospital a few miles from the training facility.
According to Etter, Eric Allen’s condition worsened and he was flown by helicopter to Medstar. He died around 8:30 this morning.
In a statement, DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin said, “Our most sincere condolences go to his family.” Rubin added, “We are ready to assist them in any way we can.”
An investigation is now underway involving DC Fire & EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Eric Allen got to this point in the hiring process from a written entrance examination taken back in April of 2006.