EATON, Ind. — A veteran volunteer firefighter died Tuesday a week after suffering a medical episode.
Mark Grove, 33, who had been with the Eaton Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years, was discovered “down and unresponsive”, according to the Star Press.
“The paramedics got there and they got him back on the way to the hospital,” Eaton police chief and firefighter Jonathon Snodgrass said. “They just were unable to get him back all the way.”
Firefighter Grove would often show up to fire calls with his twin brother, Matt, according to the report.
“Both boys have hearts of gold,” Snodgrass said. “It’s a tragedy what’s happened to him. That family is going through a lot.”
Snodgrass said Mark and Matt Grove “ate, drank and slept the fire department.”
“If there was something going on, they were there,” he said. “It didn’t matter what time of the day or night.”
Eaton Fire Chief Clay McDaniel said Grove’s communication skills were critical while battling a fire, according to the report.
“You want something done? Him and his brother do it, no questions asked,” Chief McDaniel recalled. “Mark was very, very important to our department.”
A message was posted on the Eaton Fire Department’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Grove’s death.
“We will take it from here brother,” it reads. “We love you ... Continue (to) look over (your) brothers and sisters from the heavens. You will not be forgotten.”
“We’ll really, really miss him,” Chief McDaniel said.