Florida Firefighter Loses 10-year Battle

May 31, 2005
He contacted Hepatitis C during EMS call.

The US Fire Administration is reporting that Lieutenant Dennis Bottge, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, passed awar May 22 after suffering a significant bloodborne exposure 10 years earlier.

During the course of providing emergency medical care to a cardiac care patient who had suffered a seizure in February of 1994, Lt. Bottge was stuck by a needle. As a result he contracted Hepatitis C. After a 10 year battle with this debilitating disease Lt. Bottge pasted away.

Funeral Information

DENNIS JAMES BOTTGE Age 53 of Wellington, FL passed away Sunday, May 22, 2005. He was a lieutenant with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Dept. and a coach for the Wellington Roller Hockey Assoc. for eight years. Dennis is survived by daughter, Melissa Bottge of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; son, Brian Bottge of Wellington; one brother, Tom Bottge of N.J. and aunt, Barbara Delessio of N.J. A visitation will be held Wednesday May 25, 2005 from 6-9PM with a Memorial Service at 7:30PM at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Parkway, Royal Palm Bch., FL. Palms West Funeral Home & Crematory.

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