Florida Town Fire Chief Collapses, Dies

[SeaBreeze]

Florida Town Fire Chief Collapses, Dies

Updated: 01-17-2007 04:52:43 PM

Tony Bridges
The News Herald (Panama City, Florida)

Jan. 17--SPRINGFIELD -- Chris Adams grew up in the Springfield Fire Department. His father was a firefighter there, and for most of his adult life, so was he. In 2004, when the department needed a new chief, Adams was the man Mayor Robert Walker picked for the job.

He was at the job he loved Tuesday when a heart attack claimed his life. Adams was 40.

"Everybody's just shell-shocked right now," said Springfield Police Chief David Barnes, a close friend. "He's been like a brother to me for the last 19 years."

Barnes said Adams had been having chest pains for several days but thought it was bronchitis. He collapsed at Springfield City Hall on Tuesday morning and was taken to Bay Medical Center.

Doctors later told Adams' family and friends the pain was brought on by a blood clot in his chest that caused the heart attack, Barnes said.

Walker saw Adams earlier Tuesday on his way into work.

Chief Adams had stopped to help an elderly woman who had fallen and cut her leg while crossing Transmitter Road and Seventh Street. Adams tried to convince the woman to go to the hospital. When she wouldn't, Adams put her in his truck and drove her home.

"I guess that was the last good deed that he done," Walker said. "He was a really good guy. He's going to be missed." Adams is survived by a wife and two daughters. Funeral arrangements were not complete Tuesday evening.


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[SeaBreeze]

Adams, Jeremy Chris

Age: 40
Cause of Death: Other
Rank: Fire Chief
Nature of Death: Heart Attack
Classification: Career
Emergency Duty: Yes

Incident Date: 01/16/2007
Duty Type: After
Incident Time: 09:30
Activity Type: EMS/Patient Care
Death Date: 01/16/2007
Fixed Prop. Use: Street/Road

Fire Dept. Info:
Springfield Fire Department
3726 E Third St.
Springfield , Florida 32401-6003
Chief: Acting Chief Donny Boyer

Initial Summary:
Fire Chief Adams worked an EMS incident he had discovered in transit to work. Other fire department personnel also responded to the scene where a pedestrian had fallen and cut her leg. The victim refused transport to the hospital so Chief Adams provided same to her residence. Shortly thereafter while at the City Hall, Chief Adams experienced a heart attack caused by a blood clot that was dislodged from a lung. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced at approximately 1330hrs. Adams had complained a couple of days earlier of chest pain, but reportedly thought it to be bronchitis.

Memorial Fund Info:
College scholarship fund for Chief Adams' two teenage daughters, C/o Springfield Fire Department, 3726 E. Third St., Springfield, FL 32401-6003



http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/applications/ffmem/ffmem_detail.jsp?p_id=3375&p_free_text=&noticeYearCutoff=&p_fd_state_code=&p_first_name=&p_fd_city=&p_last_name=&p_mn_status=1&p_death_year=2007

[SeaBreeze]

Florida Firefighters Stunned by Chief's Death

Updated: 01-18-2007 11:14:28 AM

Firehouse.Com News


The sudden death of the fire chief has left a void in Springfield, Fla.

"Stunned. We're all stunned," said Pete Russ, a career firefighter and longtime friend of Chief Chris Adams.

Adams, 40, collapsed at city hall Tuesday morning. He was rushed by ambulance to Bay Medical Center where he died.

"I was at the station when he showed up to get the timecards. He was his normal self, in a good mood," Russ said, adding that the chief gave no indication that he was not feeling well.

Not long afterward, they got the call to go to city hall. The patient was their chief.

Adams was known for his fairness. "He treated everyone the same. It didn't matter to him if you were a volunteer or got a paycheck. He never forgot where he came from."

The combination department in the city of 15,000 has 13 personnel. Although small, Adams was leading a progressive force.

"He was very dedicated to his family, his job, his community. We grew up in the fire service together. He was like a brother to me."

Adams is survived by his wife, and two teenage daughters. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at Heritage Funeral Home in Callaway. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Springfield Community Church.

Fire personnel from across the region are expected.

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