A veteran Tennessee firefighter died Sunday following a response to a brush fire.
David Schnepp, 43, a volunteer with the Carter's Valley Vol. Fire Department, had assisted with a brush fire about 5:02 p.m. Sunday, according to the Times-News.
Chief Mike Yates told reporters that in addition to that call, Schnepp also responded to the fire station when the department was dispatched about 9 p.m. to assist with a house fire.
He stayed behind as backup in case another emergency occurred, the chief explained.
But, Schepp wasn't done with his volunteer work just yet. He worked on a fire truck for the rest of the night, and texted another firefighter at about 12:30 a.m. Monday that he was going home.
The chief added that Schnepp’s wife called 911 at about 7 a.m. Monday for medical assistance. He died on an undetermined cause.
An autopsy is being conducted.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Yates said Schnepp, a 20-year fire service veteran, had been with the department for three years, and previously was involved with Lakeview, Bulls Gap and Striggersville fire departments.
Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency director Gary Murrell told reporters that Schnepp is the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the county.
In December, Schnepp assisted with the rescue of an elderly woman from a house fire.
Yates told reporters who wrote about the December house fire: "I want to express how well all the departments worked together. Everyone was there, it was by the book and everything fell just like it was supposed to. We've been blessed with a very good group of firefighters."
