Baltimore County firefighter dies during training exercise

A 58-year-old Baltimore County firefighter died Friday afternoon after he suffered a suspected heart attack during training, officials said.

Robert Fogle III, a 27-year veteran and career firefighter, was participating in exercises at the Sparrows Point training facility when he became ill. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

"It just reminds us about the sacrifice that our first responders do each and every day and the risks that they take to be fit and capable of helping others," Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said.

Officials said Fogle had gone with an engine crew and medic crew from the Pikesville station to the Sparrows Point facility for routine training at 1 p.m. They first did "operations readiness training," which involved firefighting skills such as climbing stairs and lifting ladders, said Fire Chief John Hohman.

After a break, the group went to "the maze," a trailer where firefighters must use their breathing apparatus to navigate through an unfamiliar area. No smoke was used, Hohman said.

When it became clear Fogle was in distress, he was quickly removed and treated, Hohman said.

"It wasn't long at all. The maze is designed in such a way that when something like this happens, they can dismantle things and get somebody out fairly quickly. The crew was right there," Hohman said.

It was there that Fogle suffered an apparent heart attack and was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

All firefighters complete the training annually, Hohman said. This is the first death at the training center. He said there will be an internal investigation into Fogle's death.

Fogle's death is considered a "line of duty" death, Kamenetz said, the first in the county in 2014.

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Baltimore County firefighter dies during training exercise