Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Battalion Chief John Walsh dies of medical emergency at East Hills fire scene
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Battalion Chief John Walsh has died after suffering a medical emergency while in command of the response to a house fire.
The Pittsburgh Firefighters union announced that Battallion Chief 3 John Walsh, 60, worked out of the bureau's Station #8 in East Liberty and died after being taken to the hospital from a house fire scene along Wilkinsburg Avenue in the city's East Hills neighborhood.
The fire broke out just after 9 p.m. Wednesday and Chief Walsh suffered a medical emergency while in command of the scene.
The union said that Chief Walsh's "unwavering passion for the job, his courageous service, and his remarkable leadership over 37 dedicated years will never be forgotten."
"Rest easy, Chief Walsh," the union said. "We have the watch from here."
A procession led Chief Walsh's body from UPMC Presbyterian Hospital to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office early Thursday morning.
Numerous fire departments and companies from around the area including the Swissvale Firefighters union, the Glendale Hose Company #1, and the City of McKeesport Bureau of Fire, among others, shared their thoughts and prayers for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire on social media.
Funeral plans for Chief Walsh have yet to be announced.
