A veteran volunteer firefighter in central New Jersey has died after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a vehicle fire.
The Hillsborough Fire District in Somerset County announced in a press release that Assistant Chief William Shaffer, 53, had died after becoming unresponsive at the scene of a vehicle fire on Wednesday afternoon.
Hillsborough Fire Company #1 and #2 had just arrived and began extinguishing a well-involved car fire at Copart Salvage Auctions when Assistant Chief Shaffer suffered the medical emergency. He was evaluated and treated by members on scene before being transported to RWJ Somerset Hospital by ambulance, but hospital staff were unable to revive him upon arrival.
"The Hillsborough Board of Fire Commissioners wish to convey their sincere condolences to his family and Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 and thank him for many years of service, may he rest in peace," the press release says.
Shaffer, a 35-year veteran of the fire service, leaves behind a wife and three children.
