LODD: New Paltz Vol.FF of Unknown Causes

[Guest hoss]

02/07/2005

Volunteer firefighter dies  

By Steve Earley , Freeman staff  

NEW PALTZ - A 31-year-old New Paltz firefighter died of unknown causes while responding to a call just before noon Sunday, police and fire officials said.

A passerby found the body of a firefighter lying on the ground outside New Paltz Fire Station No. 2 at the intersection of Henry W. DuBois Drive and North Putt Corners Road about 11:55 a.m., according to town police. The firefighter was identified as Todd Smith by Fire Chief Patrick Koch.

As with any unattended death, Smith's death is being treated as suspicious pending the results of an autopsy scheduled for today, Police Chief Raymond Zappone said in a prepared statement.

Smith was at the station responding to a call for smoke inside a residence, a distraught Koch said by telephone Sunday evening.

Koch said the department would release further details concerning Smith's death once police complete their investigation.

"I'm very heartbroken," Koch said. "I've just got to gather my thoughts first. It's just hard right now for me."

Town Supervisor Don Wilen, speaking by phone from Charleston, S.C., said he received word of Smith's death around 3 p.m.

"It's sad when we lose a volunteer fireman," Wilen said. "They perform their duties without pay. ... It's pretty amazing their dedication to duty."

Koch said funeral arrangements are pending and that any plans for fire departments to participate would be made in consultation with Smith's family. Koch said Smith had been with the department for several years.

The call Smith was responding to was determined to be steam coming from a home, not smoke, Koch said.