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Pa. fire captain dies after water rescue training

Northampton Captain Michael Booke suffered a cardiovascular event during a water rescue training course

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Captain Michael Booke.

Northampton Fire Department/Facebook

NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH, Pa. — Northampton Captain Michael Booke suffered a cardiovascular event shortly after completing a 200-yard swim during a water rescue training course, the United States Fire Administration reported.

Fellow first responders immediately began life-saving measures and transported him to a local hospital on Oct. 25. He remained hospitalized under medical care until he died on Nov. 12.

WFMZ reported Booke joined the department in 1998 and served in a variety of roles over his career, ultimately rising to the rank of captain.

Booke had also served as a Pennsylvania State Police trooper and later as the Fire Marshal for Troop M, retiring from the agency in 2017.

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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.