A New York firefighter who suffered a serious medical emergency during a call in May died Friday.
Jim Brooks, the second assistant chief for the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Co., suffered a torn aorta while responding to a blaze in Dresden, the department said. He was taken to Rutland Hospital in Rutland, VT, before being airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
During an emergency operation to repair the valve, Brooks suffered three strokes, which left him confined to a wheelchair and with only the use of his right arm. A GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $20,000 was then created for him to help pay his medical bills, raising just more than $18,000.
Brooks "passed away quietly" at 10:30 a.m. Friday at his sister's home in Gansevoort, NY.
"The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company would like to express its condolences to the Brooks family, and all the members of the community who came to his aid," the department said in a statement.
Brooks has been with the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Co. for 20 years. He also has volunteered with Toys for Tots and to escort sports teams after championship wins.
