Officials said the incident occurred Thursday during brushfire suppression operations on the fifth wildfire to break out in the region within a week.
HILLIARD, Florida — A volunteer firefighter died in the line of duty Thursday while battling a brush fire in Florida.
The Town of Hilliard made the announcement Friday that the firefighter with the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department was battling a brush fire off Old Dixie Highway on
Town officials said 59-year-old James “Kevin” Crews of the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department experienced a medical emergency while fighting the Old Dixie Highway fire.
The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. Thursday during brushfire suppression operations on the fifth wildfire to break out in the Hilliard area of Nassau County during the past week. Life-saving measures were immediately provided by on-scene firefighters.
Crews was brought to a nearby hospital, where he later died, town officials said.
The Town of Hilliard and Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department are working closely with Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and state investigative agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident, officials said.
Crews began his career as a firefighter in Ware County, Georgia. He was a two-year veteran of Hilliard VFD assigned to Station 4.
Town officials said he is remembered by colleagues as a dedicated public servant, well respected by all firefighters, and loved by his community.