Last Updated: 5:21 p.m.
A 40-year-old man who was being assessed for recruitment as a Flagler County Fire Rescue firefighter died this morning at the John R. Keppler Jr. Fire Training Center on Justice Lane in Bunnell.
Flagler County Fire Chief Michael Tucker and Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson confirmed that the incident took place at 10 this morning. The man was part of a group of seven recruits. Police were called at 12:30 p.m.
Bunnell Police Chief Dave Brannon identified the man as Fendrick Gabaud of Ormond Beach. He had recently graduated from fire school and was seeking employment locally as a Firefighter/EMT. A Bunnell release issued this afternoon said he “reportedly was in good shape had no prior employment as a firefighter.”
“We were doing a new hire assessment,” Tucker said. “There’s a physical exam they have to go through, a standard physical exam that they do.”
Tucker did not initially explain the circumstances of the medical episode that led to the death of the potential recruit, as the incident was still being actively investigated by the Bunnell Police Department. “We’re cooperating with both the Bunnell Police Department and the state fire marshal’s office. We’re providing what information we possible can,” Tucker said. “Obviously this is something that saddens all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with the family.”
Tucker and training staff told Bunnell police that Gabaud had successfully completed the required physical agility test, which included climbing three stories of stairs with firefighting equipment, hose lifts, advancing charged hose lines, spraying targets, and dragging a 150-pound dummy, or mannequin. Others at the scene he finished well within the allotted time. Weather conditions at the time were warm, with AccuWeather reporting the temperature in Bunnell at 85 degrees at 10:00 a.m.
“He was seated on a bench and was in the process of removing the gear he had to wear” when the incident developed, Brannon said in an ingterview. Gabaud was wearing a helmet, a bunker coat, shorts, which was allowed, and steel-toed boots.
“He complained of being unable to catch his breath and feeling unwell,” Brannon said, “so they brought an ambulance which was already on site to attend to him, with two paramedics, and they began assessing his situation when he became unconscious and unresponsive. They immediately implemented life-saving efforts and transported him to the hospital at the same time.”
Fendrick Gabaud was pronounced deceased at AdventHealth Palm Coast South, on State Road 100. His body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s office in St. Augustine for the autopsy that will determine the cause of death.
“We do not suspect that any accident occurred or any foul play is involved, but we have to wait for that determination by the medical examiner before we can finalize our investigation,” Brannon said.
County and city public safety agencies and officials rallied around the county fire service and extended condolences to the family. “We are heartbroken by this tragic loss,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said. “On behalf of Flagler County, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, especially his wife and two young children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”
Jackson was especially aware of the incident for its echo of an almost identical loss in November 2021, when Sgt. Dominic Guida of the Bunnell Police Department died during training at the same facility.
“I don’t know the gentleman, but we’re saddened by what occurred,” Jackson said of today’s incident. “It’s almost déjà vu, because we had Sgt. Guida who basically came to a death at that site too. Our hearts go out to the family, and we will be praying for them–not just me, but we as a city, we as a community.”
Different agencies apply different training regimens to potential recruits. But two typical training methods in those circumstances are the “combat challenge” and the candidate physical agility test.” In the combat challenge, a potential recruit in full firefighting gear must do such things as carry a 50-foot section of hose up four stories, put it down, hoist another 50-foot section of hose to the fourth floor, then take the initial section back down the stairs, and from there simulate a forcible entry after pounding an entry point with a sledge hammer numerous times. The potential recruit must then pull a charge hose 100 feet and drag a 175-pound dummy 100 feet.
The candidate physical agility test, known as CPAT, is a standard timed test consisting of eight events, all conducted either in full gear or in weighted vests–climbing stairs, dragging a hose, carrying equipment, forcibly entering an area, search and rescue and a ceiling breach and pull.
The training that took place this morning at the Keppler facility–named for Flagler County’s only firefighter line-of-futy death in the county’s history. Typically, the public safety agency conducting the testing will either have those in training checked for vital signs, or assign someone to conduct that testing before and after the routines, especially when those involved are firefighters, or individuals hoping to become firefighters.
“Our hearts go out to the family of this young man whose life was tragically cut short, as well as to the men and women of Flagler County Fire Rescue who stood beside him during his final moments,” Brannon was quoted as saying in the release. “This is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by those who pursue a career in public safety. On behalf of the Bunnell Police Department, I extend our deepest sympathy to his loved ones and to our colleagues in the fire service.”
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