OCFA Firefighter/Paramedic Dies During Training Exercise

I heard the call for a "full arrest" go out on this one and thought at first it might be a drill since the call was at the OCFA training center, but it quickly became apparent that this was the real thing and it involved a member of the Orange County Fire Authority. Sadly, those calls usually don't end well.  From the OC Register:

A firefighter/paramedic died Thursday after collapsing during a routine training exercise at the Orange County Fire Authority drill grounds, the OCFA said.

James M. Owen, a 30-year OCFA veteran, went into full cardiac arrest just before 11:30 a.m. at OCFA's headquarters in Irvine.

"They had broken for break, and he just collapsed," OCFA Capt. Greg McKeown said.

Owen was taken to Western Medical Center – Santa Ana, where he was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m.

"He was a top-notch firefighter," McKeown said. "To lose him like this is a tragedy."

Owen began his career with OCFA in 1980, spending most of his tenure at an Irvine station on the agency's hazardous materials team.

McKeown described him as an iconic figure at OCFA, known for his "hard work ethic and zealous generosity."

Owen, 56, is survived by his wife Sharon, sons Jim Jr., Daniel and Kevin.

My sympathies to the family and all the members of the OCFA.

UPDATE:  The Register has a photo essay taken at the hospital when the family and honor guard escorted the body from the hospital to the coroner's office.  Heartbreaking to look at, but also moving in how firefighters honor their own.