By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Fort Myers Fire Department announced that a firefighter recruit died on July 11 after completing his physical assessment and evaluation.
Fire Chief Tracy McMillion said the department is experiencing “heavy hearts” over the loss of Nathaniel Lee Wilcox, 22, from Cutler Bay, FOX4 reported.
The department plans to make Wilcox an honorary firefighter.
McMillion said Wilcox had medical complications during the physical assessment evaluation and said he was not feeling well but showed no signs of heat exhaustion, WINK reported.
An investigation has begun on the cause of Wilcox’s death. His family is awaiting the results of an autopsy.
Trending
Boston’s Fire Prevention Unit has paused handing out plastic fire hats to kids due to budget cuts, drawing criticism from city councilors who question spending priorities amid a growing deficit
During the NFFF Memorial Weekend in May, the names of 97 firefighters who died in 2025 and 107 from previous years will be added to the memorial
Vacaville firefighters rotated through controlled burns at “Train Town,” simulating real fires to build experience and maintain readiness, especially for newer firefighters
Four children were rescued from a blaze that officials say started when a child was playing with a lighter