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June 14, 2006

Updated: Providence Fire Department mourns first line-of-duty death in 29 years / Photo

Journal photo / Bob Thayer

Providence Fire Department Lt. Philip Payne tells about his colleague and friend, Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Michael Day, who died yesterday at the age of 49.

PROVIDENCE – The death of Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Michael J. Day, 49, who died while on the job in the downtown fire station last night, was the first line-of-duty death for the department since 1977, Assistant Chief of Administration Mark S. Pare said this morning.

The last Providence firefighter who died in the line of duty was Lt. William J. Moreland Jr., Pare said. Moreland, 48, was crushed to death on Dec. 13, 1977 when a ceiling collapsed on him and 15 other firefighters as they fought an arson fire in the What Cheer American Legion Post.

Day, who is survived by his wife and four children, was found in his office, unconscious and with no heartbeat by his coworkers at the Washington Street Fire House last night, firefighter union president Paul A. Doughty said.

According to Fire Chief David Costa, Day had gone to assist at the scene of a fire earlier yesterday evening, but he was not there very long.

This morning, Pare said the department does not believe there was any connection between that fire and Day’s death.

The department is reeling from Day’s death, Pare said.

The flag at the Providence Public Safety Complex has been lowered to half-staff in Day's honor.

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 8:12 AM | Permalink

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