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.”
C says
How sad. My prayers and sympathy to his family and friends
Atwp says
Sad.
ATwp says
Checking vital signs prior to the test is a moment in time. What should be happening IMO is that a 12 lead as well as a right-sided ecg. Having a cardiologist there to read those prior to starting any agility test. The least that could be done is that those test are required of anybody applying for those positions. As high as our taxes are and as much money that is budgeted for these departments those test should be apart of recruitment.
Jf says
Umm Flagler needs to change! My buddy died in there as a K9 officer now this? Such a shame in the county’s behalf!!!
Jane Gentile Youd says
To ATwp: Every word of yours I agree with and I am sure Chief Michael Tucker is beside himself in remorse and knowing him I am sure he is thinking ‘ I will do everything in my power to make sure this never happens again to anyone on my watch”s.
My heart goes out to the Gabaud family, to Chief Tucker and to all the fine dedicated fire rescue guys and gals who take care of us all. How sad that even deadly heart attacks we have seen in otherwise healthy teenagers are still happening. How truly sad the tricks like can play on us. How sad.
Pogo says
@FlaglerLive
An excellent report, especially the plainly stated objective description of the basic physical requirements (even, absent the myriad educational and training components) of the occupations involved — 24/7, 365. That alone, ought to humble the armchair killer elite who think their ability to eat breakfast and chew tobacco at the same time is special.
Flagler County is liable says
It would seem that (at a minimum), for liability issues, Flagler County should use due diligence in requiring all possible recruits to complete a standard EKG as well as submit cardiac clearance. At a minimum.
But that would require some foresight.
DaleL says
From the rapid onset of symptoms and death, I speculate that Fendrick may have died from an aortic dissection. Aortic dissections have an abrupt onset. They most commonly occur in association with a rather sudden rise in blood pressure, such as from heavy exertion. There are no warning signs in advance. An aortic dissection is when a tear happens in the inner layer of a weakened area of the aorta. Blood flows into the tear. This causes the layers in the wall of the aorta to separate (dissect). The result is to block the aorta and rupture the wall. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 40% of people, with a dissection of their ascending aorta, die immediately from a complete rupture and bleeding out from their aorta.
Compared with a heart attack, aortic dissection is rare. There are an estimate 1.5 million heart attacks in the USA each year versus an estimated 2,000 aortic dissections. As a result, routine screening for it is not done in otherwise healthy adults.
A bit of trivia, the actor/comedian John Ritter died in 2003, at the age of 54, from a aortic dissection.
It is sad and I wish the best for his family and friends.
Hope says
What a sad story. Let’s be Flagler Strong and ensure this guy gets a proper funeral!
I know from experience people without healthcare avoid healthcare as it would be auto-bankruptcy without insurance ….Why Canadians live 8 years longer on average! United healthcare “made” over 14 Billion dollars in profit alone in 2024! We may have much shorter lives but can sure generate value for shareholders for a short time!
DaleL says
@Hope says: I checked various websites and I could not find a single one that reported that Canadians live 8 years longer than a US American. Worldometers info gave the life expectancy at birth as: Canada = 82.88 yrs vs. USA = 79.61 yrs (3.27 yrs difference). NationMaster info was similar: Canada = 80.4 yrs vs. USA = 77.8 yrs (2.6 yrs difference). Country economy’s website: Canada = 81.65 yrs vs. USA = 78.39 yrs (12/31/2023 data)(3.26 yrs difference).
However, the Country economy data from 12/1/2021, the height of Covid, resulted in: Canada = 81.52 yrs vs. USA = 76.33 yrs (5.19 yrs difference). Note that Covid vaccines became available to everyone by spring 2021. Canada initially had difficulty in obtaining the vaccines. By May 2021, Canada’s vaccination rate exceeded that of the USA.
On average, at birth, the average Canadian can expect to live about 3 years longer than the average US American.
Medical screenings, including an EKG, for firefighter candidates are reasonable and will detect most medical conditions. They cannot detect every possible issue. There was an ambulance with paramedics on site. The cause of Mr. Gabaud’s tragic death is still not known. I think that if it was a regular heart attack (myocardial infarction), the paramedics should have been able to save his life. If he had an aortic aneurysm that dissected (aortic dissection), then depending on the severity and location, the paramedics would not have been able to do anything to save him. He may have had some other preexisting condition. We just have to wait to be sure.
Pogo says
@DaleL
Your excellent contribution is — excellent. Any comment on this:
Other causes of death, including being buried alive
https://www.bing.com/search?q=us+medical+personal+bankruptcy+vs+canada+medical+personal+bankruptcy
Joe D says
Reply to ATwp:
It is truly a tragedy for the prospective recruit , the family and the County, and my heartfelt condolences go out to them.
However, as a Registered Nurse , Master’s prepared Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Certified Nurse Case Manager, with 43 years of nursing experience , those tests you suggest would probably be good PRE-APPLICATION tests, and I might also suggest a Cardiac stress test ( treadmill with monitoring leads in place).
But to have those testing leads STAY in place during the actual agility tests would be difficult. Sweating makes the stick-on leads come loose.
I would ASSUME there was a general physical exam with health history assessment, required prior to the testing, and it wasn’t a 95-100 degree heat index day, where the testing should have been postponed. There was a standby EMT team and an ambulance there on site (from what I understand from the article).
It is an unfortunate accident, but there isn’t much more you could have expected the County to do which could have prevented this untimely death. I’m sure there will be a postmortem done to determine the cause of death.
I can tell you from personal experience, working with even just a surgical gown, isolation helmet and gloves, can cause you to sweat profusely, much less all the protective gear required of firefighters.
I’m sure there may be some adjustments in the testing process in the future, based on the findings of the investigation. It’s just SAD , we lost someone so willing to take on a difficult job of keeping the Community safe!
AKishia E. says
Fen was in excellent shape. He worked out everyday & ate healthy.
He was an active friend & Masonic Brother. He will be sorely missed.
This is heartbreaking! My condolences to his family.
DaleL says
@Pogo
I do not disagree that the US health system is driven largely by profit. Those who have good health insurance or are wealthy receive some of the best healthcare in the world. Uninsured people get much of their healthcare in emergency rooms. As a result, hospitals in many rural and low income locations struggle financially. Under insured people are usually lower income and can face a difficult choice. During a medical crisis they have to choose between financial ruin or substandard healthcare. Canada has a more equitable healthcare system. Canada also approaches food safety a bit more logically. For example, Canada completely bans the sale or distribution of raw milk. Here, in Florida, Keely Farms raw milk is being sold openly in the Wild Hare Natural Market as (wink wink) “livestock food”.
I came across the similar tragic death of Sgt. Dominic Guida.
https://flaglerlive.com/dominic-guida/
Sgt. Guida (43) was training at the county’s training facility and burn tower on Justice Lane in Bunnell in November 2021. He also died despite being immediately treated by paramedics and quickly transported to the hospital. The cause of death was reported as a “cardiac event”.