Florida Rescuers Respond to One of their Own

A Martin County Fire Rescue lieutenant just months away from retirement died in a crash early Monday morning.

July 21, 2009

PALM CITY, Fla. --

A veteran Martin County Fire Rescue lieutenant died in a single-vehicle crash early Monday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Lt. Daron "Trent" Gallimore, 51, was traveling west on Southwest 96th Street near Greenridge Lane about 2:30 a.m. when he lost control of his truck, apparently overcorrected and veered off the road, crashing into a tree.

The crash occurred not far from the station where he was assigned.

Fire-rescue personnel from his unit were called to the scene.

Gallimore had been a member of Martin County Fire Rescue since October 1984 and was months away from retirement. He was not working at the time of the crash.

"He was the epitome of a firefighter," Chief John Belding said. "He was short in stature, but he was one of the biggest men you would ever know. He carried himself very well. He was well proficient in his abilities, he was a good communicator and he was a very good friend."