Trending Topics

Widow of Mo. firefighter/paramedic who died in training receives $1M settlement

The city council awarded nearly $1.1 million to the wife of Kyle Brinker, a Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who died during a training exercise in 2024

FR1 Affiliate images - 2025-08-07T102502.758.jpg

Firefighter-Paramedic Kyle Brinker.

Kansas City Fire Department/Facebook

By Mike Hendricks
The Kansas City Star

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The wife of the Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who died during a training exercise last year has been awarded just under $1.1 million to resolve a workers’ compensation claim filed against the city.

The City Council approved the award to Rebecca Ann Brinker without comment near the end of Thursday’s regular meeting. Her husband, 33-year-old Kyle Brinker, died after suffering an undisclosed medical emergency during a fire department training event on Sept. 17, 2024.

| SPECIAL REPORT: What Firefighters Want in 2025

Personnel at the scene gave him medical care before he was rushed to North Kansas City Hospital. Staff were unable to revive him.

Brinker was an 11-year member of the department and was a firefighter-paramedic. He grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Coastal Carolina University to study marine science before taking up fire science at the Community College of Allegheny County. He later studied emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh after earning his certification as a paramedic in 2012.

Trending
The executive order pushes FEMA and the Small Business Administration to preempt state and local permitting and let builders self-certify standards
Stay current on NIOSH program layoffs, the status of the National Fire Academy and changes to FEMA
Ulster Hose Company firefighters rescued an occupant from a balcony during a basement fire at Royal Garden Apartments
After town leaders warned the Pemberton Volunteer Fire Department could shut down, residents and neighboring firefighters quickly stepped up


©2025 The Kansas City Star.
Visit kansascity.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News
Program provides departments with the funding to address the risks of diesel exhaust and airborne contaminants