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 Lexipol survey of 915 public safety professionals finds staffing, training and major disruptions remain key preparedness challenges
At least 40 states address 9/11 through education standards, laws or school observances, but what students learn about the attacks and their aftermath varies widely
About half of U.S. adults rank the Sept. 11 attacks among the most important events of their lifetimes, while younger Americans are more likely to point to COVID-19
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been held at Guantanamo Bay for two decades, with legal battles over torture and evidence continuing as a military trial is now set for 2028