KY Asst. Chief Stricken on Call, Dies

    Oct. 31, 2023
    Whitesburg, KY Asst. Fire Chief Joe Back fell ill on an EMS call and died in a hospital.
    Whitesburg Fire Department/Facebook
    Whitesburg Assistant Chief Joe Back died of an apparent heart attack suffered on a call.
    Whitesburg Assistant Chief Joe Back died of an apparent heart attack suffered on a call.

    For the second time in as many days, a Kentucky fire department has lost a longtime member.

    Whitesburg Assistant Fire Chief Joe Back collapsed of an apparent heart attack on an EMS call Friday night, according to WYMT. 

    Back could not be revived and was taken off life support on Monday.

    Funeral arrangements are pending.

    Back is the second Kentucky firefighter killed in the past few days.

    As Coon Creek firefighters were headed to a landing zone Saturday night, the fire truck veered off the road and hit houses and a trailer.

    LT. Regina Huffman, a passenger, was killed while her son was injured.

     
    "Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew the man that was referred to by many as a staple of the Whitesburg community and the Letcher County fire service.
     
    In observance of the passing of Assistant Chief Joe Back and Lieutenant Regina Huffman (Coon Creek Fire/Rescue), there will be no classes held within our district this week. This will allow our staff to work with each department on any needs they may have. We will also be out of the district 12 office to attend all services for each of these fallen firefighters. Adjusted business hours for the week will be announced as arrangements are confirmed."

     

     

     

     

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