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
The proposed Hillsborough County program would serve a 70-square-mile area and is expected to deliver blood in under three minutes on average
Firefighters are strengthening containment lines on the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires as hotter, drier weather threatens recent gains
A suspected gas explosion killed one person and injured 14 others as crews battled heavy fire and structural collapse
The former Hillsborough County firefighter/paramedic alleges he was discriminated against for using physician-authorized medical marijuana, while the county maintains its zero-tolerance policy