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Va. firefighter dies while teaching swift water rescue course in N.C.

Alicia A. Monahan served with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS and the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association

aliciamonahanwithdog.jpg

Photo/Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association

By Leila Merrill

BRYSON CITY, N.C.— Firefighter Alicia A. Monahan, 41, died Saturday while teaching a swift water rescue course in North Carolina.

She “suffered a catastrophic accident” while teaching, the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association posted on Facebook.

Monahan served with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS in Virginia for more than 11 years, according to the department. She was assigned to Engine 207-B shift.

https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldVAFireEMS/posts/pfbid025SNpbAUGFfKrcsEJnfV5qQL6oNzmf5xHhWjBeDdT2xvYTPE1pttyXfabneC1G4ikl

“Our prayers and full support are with her fiancée and both her sons,” Chesterfield County Fire and EMS posted. “Our hearts and prayers go out to Alicia’s family, friends, and co-workers during this very difficult time.”

The rescue association also expressed its members’ sorrow.

“Alicia was more than a teammate she was also a personal friend to many of us and this loss is unimaginable,” the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association posted. “Alicia was a wonderful, caring person . . . a beautiful, bright light went out today and our hearts are broken.”

https://www.facebook.com/VSRDA/posts/pfbid0357oyUiuWqeMRooWzz1tRKtAXBoSGRY2rrPUPqosptgD8qJwN5GijofCizsb3diGEl

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