Trending Topics

Pittsburgh battalion chief suffers fatal medical emergency while commanding fireground

Battalion Chief John Walsh died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital after being stricken while working as the incident commander during a house fire

By Bill Carey
FireRescue1

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Battalion Chief John Walsh died following a medical emergency while working as the incident commander during a house fire in the city’s East Hills neighborhood.

The Pittsburgh Firefighters Union announced that Walsh, 60, who was working as Battalion Chief 3 based in Station 8, died after being transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital on Nov. 20, CBS Pittsburgh reported.

“His unwavering passion for the job, his courageous service, and his remarkable leadership over 37 dedicated years will never be forgotten,” the union wrote in a social media post. “Chief Walsh embodied the very best of what it means to serve and protect.”

A procession led Walsh’s body from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office. He had been a member for 37 years.

Trending
A fast-moving fire tore through a Kimberly-Clark facility in Ontario, collapsing part of the roof and triggering an operational retreat
A Massachusetts Firefighting Academy staff member suffered serious injuries after falling from the burn building at the agency’s Stow campus while preparing for recruit training
The Grapevine City Council is set to consider buying a squad vehicle for the fire department, a move city leaders say fits rising EMS demand but firefighters argue could weaken fire response
The NFFF will honor fallen firefighters and mark the approaching 25th anniversary of 9/11 with special events at FDIC