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 Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County was only 7% contained Sunday as officials warned that wind could drive new evacuations
The Broward County Fire Rescue lieutenant was arrested and fired after deputies said he assaulted a 65-year-old man during a medical call
In Oroville, officials say excessive, non-emergency calls are delaying emergency response and pushing the city to consider charging repeat offenders
Health officials cited methodology concerns in stopping a CDC report that found COVID vaccines cut ED visits and hospitalizations among healthy adults by about half