Trending Topics

Baltimore firefighter suffers fatal medical emergency during training

The union said Emergency Vehicle Driver Charles Mudra suffered a “catastrophic medical emergency”

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Fire Department is mourning the loss of Emergency Vehicle Driver Charles “Charlie” Mudra, who died in the line of duty after suffering a medical emergency during a training session.

Mudra, a 17-year veteran of the department and a member of Truck Company 20, suffered a catastrophic medical emergency during a skills training session, Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 posted on social media.

Mudra’s death comes just days after the department and union shared that Lt. Mark Dranbauer’s injuries from a May 12 incident were determined to be non-survivable. Dranbauer experienced a medical emergency on an aerial ladder during a fire.

Trending
A mayday call went out when two Albuquerque firefighters plunged into a basement while battling a structure fire at an abandoned house
A pilot and nurse died and a patient remains missing after the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff
An Illinois man allegedly sold the stolen valves to a recycling company, disabling hydrants across three north St. Louis neighborhoods and causing at least $215,000 in damage
Firefighters from dozens of departments spent days learning to cut through steel, stabilize collapsing structures and rig heavy loads

Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.