The dangerous nature of the firefighting profession was felt across the world this week.
On Friday, at least three Latvia firefighters were among the victims killed in the collapse of a grocery store.
The responders were engaged in rescue efforts when they too became trapped and killed.
The operation continued Friday, and the death toll was rising.
In Pennsylvania, an assistant fire chief was manning the pump panel at a structure fire when he suffered an apparent heart attack.
Although his colleagues immediately rendered aid, Russ “Rooster” Gow, 58, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The veteran firefighter was loved as a mentor and friend in the Factoryville Fire Department and community.
In New York, a state trooper who also was a paramedic, died during a high-angle rescue drill.
Trooper Ross M. Riley, 44, and others had just rappelled to a ledge, and placed a dummy into a Stokes basket when he lost his balance, and fell backwards off the cliff. He plummeted about 30 feet, and suffered extensive head injuries.
The former Marine died at a local hospital.
Meanwhile, a South Carolina firefighter is recovering after suffering cardiac arrest at an incident.
The Darlington County firefighter was at a grass fire when he collapsed. Colleagues administered CPR and used an AED to revive their colleague.
He was rushed to a hospital where he remains.
And, a firefighter in Florida is talking about what he remembers about the day he collapsed during a drill.
Fellow Tallahassee firefighters found him on the third floor of the training tower, and immediately went to work to on him. Watch what he had to say.
