A veteran member of the Chicago Fire Department died Thursday afternoon during a training exercise on the city’s North Side, turning a routine drill into a heartbreaking loss for the department and the West Rogers Park community.
The incident happened around 3 p.m. in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The CFD member, who officials say had served with the department for roughly 30 years, was transported from the scene to a hospital.
CBS Chicago reported the member was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. A procession to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office was expected Thursday evening, as firefighters and paramedics prepared to escort their colleague with full honors.
Department statement and review
In a statement shared with ABC7 Chicago, the department said, “The Chicago Fire Department mourns the loss of a 30-year member who died today during a training exercise.”
Officials have not released the member’s name, the cause of death or details of the specific training involved. The department said the incident is under review.
Recent losses and context
The death comes less than two months after Firefighter Michael Altman died following injuries suffered while battling an apartment fire in Rogers Park in March. The Chicago Sun-Times recently covered Altman’s funeral and the department’s outpouring of grief and respect.
Officials did not immediately release further information about Thursday’s training incident. The CFD said it would provide updates as they become available, and CBS Chicago reported that investigators are expected to review the exercise as part of the department’s internal process.
