58-year-old Baltimore County firefighter Robert Fogle III died Friday afternoon during a training exercise in the Sparrows Point area. He went into cardiac arrest during the exercise, and was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Fogle was at Sparrows Point training facility, performing a drill that is required of every firefighter once a year. He was going through a maze while wearing a breathing apparatus.
Fire Chief John Hohman told The Baltimore Sun, The Baltimore Sun “It wasn’t long at all. The maze is designed in such a way that when something like this happens, they can dismantle things and get somebody out fairly quickly. The crew was right there.”
This is the first death to occur at the training center.
Stephen Wantz, president of Pleasant Valley volunteer fire company and longtime friend of Fogle told the Carroll County Times, “ It’s a huge loss for all of us. We’re all devastated. He was a true friend. He was a brother for me.”
Stationed in Pikesville, Fogle was a 27-year veteran of the department. He is survived by a wife and two adult children. Decisions regarding his memorial services will be decided in the next few days by his family.
Robert Fogle III’s death is considered a line-of-duty death.