BEAUMONT - A volunteer firefighter from Southeast Texas died Monday night after he collapsed during a training exercise Sunday in Beaumont, according to information provided to KFDM reporter Kalie Desimone by Dennis Gifford, who was an instructor at the training school.
Gifford told KFDM News that Neal Smith, 46, a volunteer firefighter from Atascocita, near Houston, died at about 6:30 p.m. Monday at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth. Gifford says Smith was surrounded by his family when doctors removed him from life support.
"This gentleman's body temperature got so extremely high it likely caused internal organ damage," Gifford told KFDM News earlier Monday. It's horrible to see and experience."
Smith was an eight year veteran of the department.
Gifford says Smith was taking part in a training exercise Sunday at the BEST complex near downtown Beaumont when he became overheated and collapsed.
The company that manages the complex had nothing to do with the exercise and only made the complex available to the group that organized the training.
The instructor told us Smith collapsed during what's known as the smoke diver drill. It takes place inside a six story building on the training grounds. Instructors fill the building with smoke, according to Gifford, who says each trainee puts on an oxygen mask and bunker gear. The goal is to teach them about personal safety and to understand their limitations in a real fire.
Gifford told KFDM that Smith was on his way down from the six story smoke house early Sunday afternoon when he collapsed. Beaumont EMS paramedics responded and rushed Smith to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont where he was admitted to the ICU.
Smith's family was at his side when doctors removed him from life support Monday night.
"As tragic as this is, it's really more or less coming down to the strict limitations of the individual," Gifford told KFDM News. "We are going to take a completely new look and see if there is anything we can do to get our individuals to be a little more proactive in their own safety."
Another firefighter from Georgia was also injured Sunday afternoon during the smoke diver drill.
He's made a full recovery.
According to the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department website, Smith in the past had held the positions of Treasurer and Captain.
His position was Captain at Station 1. He had served as Lieutenant at Station 3, Fire Training Officer (Recruitment) as well as having served on the Board of Directors as the Board's Treasurer since he joined the Department on November 15, 2008.
Smith's training credentials included SFFMA Basic Fire Suppression (Accredited), FEMA ICS-100 (Intro to Incident Command), IS-00700 (National Incident Management Systems), IS-00200 (ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents) and he was the Honor Graduate for the 2008 Recruit Class.
Smith received a Certificate of Appreciation for service during Hurricane Ike and FireFighter of the Month on two separate occasions.
Stay with KFDM and kfdm.com for updates on the story.
Firefighter dies after collapsing during training exerciseRelated Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Texas district that axed sports may get new life
- Texas search team to help after Okla. twister
- Longview police officer, suspect injured in chase
- Man shot outside Houston-area bar fight dies
- Help could be available for uninsured West losses
- Texas House mulls new district for failing schools
- NE Texas expects severe storms, possible tornadoes
- Rare $10 bill marked for city of West to be sold
- House to vote on drug testing for welfare benefits
- Bill bars future governors from Medicaid expansion
- Official: No drugs, alcohol found in Conn. gunman
- 5 Serbs released from Libya after 21 months
- Tornado-ravaged community to be searched twice more
- AP Sources: Obama ok punting gay immigration idea
- Hospitals treat more than 200 after Okla. tornado
- WikiLeaks prosecutor agrees to 1 lesser charge
- Okla. Senator says tornado aid should be paid for
- WikiLeaks hearing focuses on classified evidence
- Jersey shore readies for 1st post-Sandy summer
- Remains found in woods could be missing Maine teen
- Reports: Iran bars 2 top figures from June ballot
- Warsaw ghetto insurgent Boruch Spiegel dies at 93
- 2 donkeys suspected in mauling death in Hungary
- Female Saudi Everest climber happy to change views
- Pigeon sale yields world record for feathered Bolt
- Saudi Arabia says arrests 10 from Iranian spy ring
- Cholera outbreak hits Malian refugee camp in Niger
- Clashes between Egypt troops and gunmen in Sinai
- Karzai expected to seek Indian military aid
- Cuba lifts ban on energy-hogging appliances
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Asia stocks fall
BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stock markets fell today as investors waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve to telegraph what it plans to do next with its economic stimulus program.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Zendaya or Kellie Pickler will be winning the mirrorball trophy.
Get This
GW-GYM FLOOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Washington University students will soon be walking all over the White House and the Capitol, too.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: iPHONE RECOVERED AFTER THEFT IN OREGON
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A smartphone, plus a not-so-smart criminal -- equals an arrest in Oregon.

