Virginia Deputy Chief Suffers Fatal Heart Attack after Wildfire

By Bill Carey
25 April 2023

WINCHESTER, Va. – Frederick County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Chester Lauck died Saturday morning at his home after fighting a wildfire, according to a Facebook post by the department.

“Chief Lauck suffered a cardiac event at his home very early Saturday morning several hours after engaging in firefighting operations on a wildland fire on Back Creek Road in Gore, Virginia,” the post stated.

In his current position, Lauck was responsible for the Emergency Management Division. Prior to that he had worked for the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department and had retired from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department as a Battalion Chief of the Special Operations Division. Lauck also worked as an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighter for the Air National Guard and began service in 1984 as a patrolman for the Virginia Department of Forestry, where he worked on wildland incidents and events.

Photograph courtesy of Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department.

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations. View more posts