LODD: Dep.Asst.Chief Michael Day, Providence FD

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May he rest in peace.

Providence firefighters struggle with loss of assistant chief

09:14 AM EDT on Wednesday, June 14, 2006

By KATE BRAMSON

projo.com staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Michael J. Day died yesterday, while on the job in the downtown fire station, after having returned from a fire earlier in the evening.

Firefighters are reeling this morning from the first line-of-duty death for the department in 29 years, Assistant Chief of Administration Mark S. Pare said.

Day, 49, was found in his office, collapsed and unconscious and with no heartbeat by his coworkers at the Washington Street fire house last night, according to Paul A. Doughty, firefighter union president.

Fellow firefighters tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Day. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

A 27-year veteran of the department, Day had served as battalion chief for many years before being promoted to deputy assistant chief last June, under the department's new merit-based promotions system.

His duties included overseeing operations at the downtown fire house as well as several other fire stations in the central district, Fire Chief David Costa said. Day was the city's top-ranking officer of the B shift, Costa said.

The last Providence firefighter who died in the line of duty was Lt. William J. Moreland Jr., Pare said.

Moreland, 48, was crushed to death on Dec. 13, 1977 when a ceiling collapsed on him and 15 other firefighters as they fought an arson fire in the What Cheer American Legion Post.

Last night, Costa said Day had gone to assist at the scene of a fire earlier in the evening, but he was not there very long.

Doughty said authorities will not know the exact cause of death until an autopsy is conducted.

This morning, Pare said the department does not believe there was any connection between that fire and Day’s death.

A city resident, Day is survived by four children, his wife, and other family members, authorities said.

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Online at: http://www.projo.com/digitalbulletin/conte...h.8570d67e.html

[Guest]

Day, Michael J. 

Age: 49 

Cause of Death: Vehicle Collision 

Rank: Deputy Assistant Chief 

Nature of Death: Unknown 

Classification: Career 

Emergency Duty: No   

Incident Date: 06/13/2006 

Duty Type: After 

Incident Time: 21:30 

Activity Type: In-Station Duties 

Death Date: 06/13/2006 

Fixed Prop. Use: Store/Office 

Fire Dept. Info:

Providence Fire Department

325 Washington Street

Providence , Rhode Island  02903

Chief: David Costa

 

Initial Summary:   

Chief Day had responded to a small fire earlier in the evening and then returned to his office. 

He was discovered unresponsive at his desk around 2130 hours. 

Care was initiated and he was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from a cause still to be determined.   

Memorial Fund Info: Pending

 

USFA