By FireRescue1 Staff
PERTH, N.J. — A firefighter died Sunday after spending the last 24 years under workers’ compensation from medical conditions caused by smoke inhalation.
U.S. Fire Administration reported that firefighter Richard Leonard, 70, was operating a pumper in 1993 at a plastic recycling facility without breathing equipment, resulting in breathing highly toxic plastic smoke for hours.
Leonard did not return to duty after the incident and has been under workers’ compensation for ongoing medical conditions ever since.
You can pay tribute to Leonard here.
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