Updated: Listed by the USFA on 5 June 2025.
At approximately 1:49 a.m. on June 5, Hickory Fire Department firefighters, including Firefighter Jake Bridges, were dispatched to a structure fire. The fire was extinguished, and firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 4:52 a.m.
After returning to the station, firefighters worked to get the truck back in service. At approximately 5:08 a.m., Firefighter Bridges experienced a medical emergency and was transported to a local hospital. Despite resuscitation efforts of his fellow firefighters, first responders, and medical personnel, Firefighter Bridges passed away.
Age: 20
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: June 5, 2025 1:49 AM
Date of death: June 5, 2025
Cause of fatal injury: Unknown
Nature of fatal injury: Unknown
Activity type: Other
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: Returning
Fixed property use: Residential
The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 is currently 36.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2025.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Earlier:
By Bill Carey
5 June 2025
HICKORY, N.C. – A firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department died on 5 June after experiencing a medical emergency while on duty. The firefighter was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
WCNC reported that no additional details have been released at this time.
The firefighter’s identity has not been disclosed pending notification of next of kin.
Photograph courtesy of the Hickory Fire Department/Facebook.
Data Not Drama 