United States Fire Administration
15 July 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Chief Engineer Eugene Cervi, 60, of the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department on 6 July 2026.
On July 5, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Chief Engineer Eugene Cervi drove the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company apparatus in response to a possible water rescue. Once on scene, he assisted with the deployment of the department’s boat. The incident concluded around 8:00 p.m. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 6, 2026, Chief Engineer Cervi suffered a cardiovascular event and was taken to a hospital where he passed away later that day.
Age: 60
Rank: Chief Engineer
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: July 5, 2026 6:00 PM
Date of death: July 6, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of fatal injury: Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack
Activity type: Search and Rescue
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Non-Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2026 is currently 44.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2026.
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.”
Photo courtesy of the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook.
Data Not Drama 