SLOCUM, Texas (KLTV) – An East Texas firefighter died Saturday after being hospitalized earlier this week with a medical emergency while on duty.
Dan Hernandez, a fire safety chief with the Slocum Volunteer Fire Department, experienced a serious medical emergency while responding to a fire July 7, according to the department.
He was taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center and stabilized before he was taken to a Tyler hospital.
Hernandez died Saturday surrounded by family, friends and fellow firefighters, the department announced in a social media post.
“Whether answering emergency calls, supporting his fellow firefighters, or lending a helping hand whenever it was needed, he carried himself with courage, compassion and dedication,” a department spokesperson said. “His commitment to protecting our community reflected the very best of being a volunteer firefighter.”
The department called Hernandez a longtime friend, an integral part of the volunteer fire department and a member of the Slocum community.
“His passing will leave an immeasurable void within our department and throughout the community he so proudly served,” the spokesperson continued. “Dan will be deeply missed, but his kindness and dedication to our community will never be forgotten.”
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