United States Fire Administration
4 August 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Firefighter/EMT Bryce Jungbluth, 27, of the Eau Claire Fire Department on 31 July 2026.
During his shift on July 23, 2026, that included responding to one emergency, Firefighter/EMT Bryce Jungbluth reported that he was not feeling well and had developed a headache. He completed this shift. Firefighter/EMT Jungbluth then worked two additional 24-hour shifts on July 24 and July 25 during which he responded to multiple emergencies including a structure fire. He continued to feel unwell and complained of a headache during these additional shifts.
On the morning of July 26, 2026, Firefighter/EMT Jungbluth came off the third shift. Because he was still unwell, Firefighter/EMT Jungbluth went to a hospital where it was determined that he had suffered a sudden onset of hydrocephalus. Firefighter/EMT Jungbluth passed away on July 31, 2026.
Age: 27
Rank: Firefighter/EMT
Classification: Career
Incident date: July 23, 2026
Date of death: July 31, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Other
Nature of fatal injury: Other
Activity type: In-Station Duties
Emergency duty: No
Duty type: Other On-Duty
Fixed property use: N/A
The number of on-duty deaths for 2026 is currently 49.
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 Bratley-Nelson Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Data Not Drama 