By FireRescue1 Staff
CLINTON, Miss. — A firefighter who died after exercising while on duty was killed by a heart attack, investigators found.
Clinton Fire Department, Miss., Capt. John Thurman, 54, was jogging alone on a paved trail behind his fire station as part of his fire department’s physical fitness program when he collapsed, a NIOSH report released Thursday said.
A civilian called 911 after finding him lying on the trail, unresponsive and not breathing.
Firefighters initiated began CPR, but he died en route to a local hospital.
An autopsy revealed severe narrowing of all three major coronary arteries and an acute ruptured plaque.
Capt. Thurman had a high history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, the report said.
As a result of the findings, NIOSH recommends fire departments:
• Ensure firefighters over the age of 45 with two or more risk factors for CAD have a maximal (symptom-limiting) exercise stress test (EST)
• Ensure that firefighters are cleared for return to duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of firefighting, the personal protective equipment used by firefighters, and the various components of NFPA 1582
• Ensure on-duty firefighters exercise in pairs or within viewing distance of another crew member