107th LODD for 2008 - LT. Rick Borkin; Thiensville (WI) - Training

[markmets415 524]

We regret to advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Lt. Rick Borkin of the Thiensville (WI) FD. The students had just completed live fire training (exterior natural gas props) and were in the process of picking up hose and heading back inside. Lt. Borkin apparently started to not feel well and walked over to a department vehicle to sit down and take his gear off. When other FF's came around the corner of the tower, they found him crumpled on the ground pulseless and not breathing. CPR was started immediately, an ALS unit was only minutes away and they worked him for an extended amount of time...but sadly he passed away in the Line of Duty at the training grounds. Lt. Borkin was 16 year member of the Thiensville Fire Department (WI), a volunteer department, and he was attending a State Certified Firefighter 2 Class at Milwaukee Area Technical College South Campus.

This is the 107th LODD for 2008. As always, our most sincere condolences to the members of the TFD but especially the family and friends of Lt. Borkin.

posted with permission from the secretlist @ firefighterclosecalls.com

Some additional information reported by Dan Benson in the Journal Sentinel

Thiensville - Lt. Rick H. Borkin, a 16-year veteran of the Thiensville Volunteer Fire Department, died Monday evening after experiencing respiratory problems during a training exercise at the Milwaukee Area Technical College campus in Oak Creek, Ozaukee County Coroner John Holicek said this morning.

"He had a history of respiratory problems but wanted to participate in the exercise anyway," Holicek said.

Thiensville Fire Chief Brian Reiels said Borkin, 42, had been sick for about a week before attending the Firefighter II certification training.

Borkin was one of three Thiensville firefighters who attended the training, Reiels said.

During a physically challenging part of the training, "he indicated he wasn't feeling real well and sat down" and collapsed soon afterward, Reiels said.

Borkin was immediately attended by Oak Creek paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene about 8:30 p.m. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed today.

Borkin was promoted in May to training officer, Reiels said.

"He was just a fantastic guy and absolutely committed to the department," Reiels said. "He was one of my best friends."

Borkin was employed by Infinity Telecommunications in Bayside and is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and a 13-year-old son, Reiels said.

Edited December 9, 2008 by markmets415

[firecapt32 282]

Another sad day for the fire service my thoughts and prayers are with the family. Lets see if we can learn for this, read this carefully and see if you come to the same conclusions. Its a tragic lose that might have been preventable.

[ex-commish 490]

May he rest in peace.

[ENG47INE 17]

RIP

[markmets415 524]

Another sad day for the fire service my thoughts and prayers are with the family. Lets see if we can learn for this, read this carefully and see if you come to the same conclusions. Its a tragic lose that might have been preventable.

Capt my thoughts exactly, although the final reports will conclude more but what has been reported

it seems that this may have been prevented.

Another sad day for the us again, RIP LT. Borkin