TX Firefighter Dies after Contracting COVID-19

Sept. 7, 2021
Orange County ESD 1 firefighter James Heater, 32, contracted COVID-19 while on duty in late August and died from complications of the virus on Friday.

Editor's note: Find Firehouse.com's complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic here.

A young firefighter in southeast Texas has died after contracting COVID-19 while responding to numerous emergency medical calls.

The U.S. Fire Administration announced in a release on Tuesday that Orange County Emergency Services District 1 firefighter James Heater, who was only 32 years old, died on Friday of complications related to the virus.

USFA says Heater contracted the deadly virus on or around Aug. 22 and was then hospitalized before eventually being placed on a ventilator.

"He was always fun to have around, he would just brighten the mood whenever he came in," ESD 1 Fire Chief Robert Smith told KFDM News of Heater, who was a devoted husband and father.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!