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W.Va. fire chief dies due to COVID-19 complications

Salem Fire Chief Rick Todd, who was also a paramedic, was a well-known and respected member of the local fire and EMS community

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Duty Death: Rick Todd - [Salem]

End of Service: 01/09/2020

By Laura French

SALEM, W.Va. — A West Virginia fire chief and paramedic has died due to COVID-19 complications.

Salem Fire Chief Rick Todd’s death was announced Wednesday by Harrison and Doddridge County Emergency Management officials, according to WDTV.

“Chief Todd was a well-known and respected Fire Chief and paramedic in the community and he will be missed by many,” emergency management officials wrote in a press release.

Several local public safety departments shared their condolences on social media, expressing that Todd was a valued public servant and instructor in the community who touched many people’s lives.

“He was my instructor thru fire classes. We had alot of fun in our classes and loved his competitiveness in the field,” wrote Mount Clare Volunteer Fire Department Chief Daniel McNemar in a statement. “Heaven has gained another great firefighter.”

Todd previously retired from career firefighting as a Bridgeport Fire Department captain before becoming the chief of the volunteer Salem Fire and EMS Department, according to Firefighter Close Calls. He was a founding member of both IAFF Local 3692 and Salem Professional Fire Fighters Local 5226.

Todd is survived by his wife, Julie.

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