By Ilana Arougheti
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City firefighter and paramedic who died following a training exercise on Tuesday has been identified as Kyle Brinker, 33.
Brinker suffered a medical emergency around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday while participating in a Kansas City Fire Department training exercise. After his colleagues attempted to provide aid, Brinker was evacuated to North Kansas City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1 p.m.
An 11-year veteran of the department, Brinker spent the majority of his KCFD career at Station 35 — one of the busiest in the city, according to Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. A firefighter paramedic, Brinker was most recently assigned to the Technical Rescue Division at Station 35.
This position placed him on the front lines at active fires, where Brinker communicated with fellow firefighters and made critical decisions while evacuating residents from burning buildings, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
In a statement Tuesday, Grundyson described Brinker as someone who “operated at the highest level of skill and compassion.”
“He was a mentor and role model for many, exemplifying the qualities KCFD looks for in our uniformed personnel,” Grundyson said.
Brinker worked as a paramedic in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, from August 2012 to September 2013, before joining the Kansas City Fire Department.
Brinker grew up in Plum, Pennsylvania. He attended Coastal Carolina University for marine science before studying fire science at the Community College of Allegheny County. He later studied emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh after earning his certification as a paramedic in 2012.
In posts shared online Tuesday, one of Brinker’s co-workers described him as an excellent leader with a strong sense of humor.
“You didn’t cower under pressure,” the coworker wrote, addressing Brinker. “You set an example that many people, myself included, looked up to. You showed the highest of qualities in every facet of life. You will always be a hero of mine.”
Brinker is survived by his wife Becky, along with his brother Scott, who is also a KCFD firefighter, according to Grundyson.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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