Frederick Co Fire and Rescue Medical Emergency Fatality 2023

On Friday, April 21, 2023, multiple fire and rescue stations from Frederick County, VA and Hampshire County, WV responded to a wildland fire in Frederick County. The wildland fire burned several acres of brush and woods with total incident duration lasting approximately seven hours. Deputy Chief Chester Taylor Lauck was the operator of the Ultra-Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and performed firefighting operations, to include extinguishment with a hose line and applying a fire line. Approximately two hours after arriving home, Deputy Chief Lauck began to feel ill and 9-1-1 was immediately called. He was then transported to a heart specialty center where he was treated. During this time, he suffered multiple heart attacks and was put on life support. After additional diagnostic testing, the family decided to stop all life support. Deputy Chief Lauck passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023.