A Willow Fire Department firefighter lost consciousness while preparing to depart for a call for service early Saturday morning and was pronounced deceased after fellow firefighters, EMS, Alaska State Troopers, and a LifeMed crew attempted life-saving measures.
Willow firefighter Roger Delongchamp, 66, was in a fire truck preparing to depart in response to a fire when he reportedly lost consciousness just before 2:15 a.m. Saturday.
Fellow Willow firefighters, EMS, Alaska State Troopers, and a LifeMed crew responded to the scene to assist. CPR was performed on Delongchamp for approximately one hour according to AST, after which time Delongchamp was declared deceased at 3:10 a.m. Saturday.
Delongchamp's family has been notified.
"It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our brother today," a statement from Mat-Su Director of Emergency Services Ken Barkley read.