Cause of LODD New Paltz - Cardiac Arrest

[Guest hoss]

Thoughts are with family and friends of FF Todd Smith on his tragic passing at such a young age. Very sad.

02/08/2005

Heart attack felled volunteer firefighter, 31  

By Steve Earley , Freeman staff  

NEW PALTZ - The 31-year-old New Paltz volunteer firefighter who died while responding to a call Sunday died of cardiac arrest, New Paltz Fire Chief Patrick Koch said Monday.

Todd R. Smith of North Chestnut Street was found unconscious outside New Paltz Fire Station No. 2 late Sunday morning and police, as they do with any unattended death, were treating his death as suspicious pending the results of an autopsy completed Monday. Police said the autopsy did not indicate foul play.  

A motorist found Smith lying face down outside a side entrance of the fire station at the intersection of Henry W. DuBois Drive and North Putt Corners Road about 11:55 a.m. Sunday, according to police.  

Smith was transported by New Paltz Rescue Squad to Vassar Brother's Medical Center in Poughkeepsie and never regained consciousness, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital about 12:25 p.m., Koch said.  

Koch said he believes Smith is the first New Paltz firefighter to die in the line of duty. Koch said he did not know Smith to have a history of heart problems.

Smith was responding to a call for smoke inside a residence and had driven himself to the station, according to fire and police officials. The call Smith was responding to was determined to be steam coming from a home, not smoke, Koch said Sunday.

Funeral arrangements, which were not finalized as of Monday, will be announced by George J. Moylan Funeral Home of state Route 32, Rosendale. Koch said any plans for fire departments to participate would be make in consultation with Smith's family.