St. Paul honors firefighter Timothy Bertz after on-duty death days after academy graduation
St. Paul honored firefighter Timothy Bertz, a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate who died days after graduating, at a memorial attended by department leadership, colleagues and family who remembered his "all in" mentality and commitment. Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Bertz's funeral and encouraged state buildings, businesses and individuals to lower their flags in his honor.
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📊 Relevant Data
Sudden cardiac death accounts for approximately 45% of all firefighter duty-related fatalities in the US. ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/)) ([PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3710100/))
Extreme sacrifice: sudden cardiac death in the US Fire Service — PMC
Non-white firefighters show significantly lower mortality than expected compared to the US general population for all causes (SMR=0.68), all cancers (SMR=0.79), and lung cancer (SMR=0.57). ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84)) ([Occupational & Environmental Medicine](https://oem.bmj.com/content/77/2/84))
Mortality in a cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia: an update — Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Firefighters aged 40 to 49 accounted for the highest number of on-duty deaths in 2024. ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/)) ([International Fire & Safety Journal](https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/us-fatal-firefighter-injuries-declined-by-31-percent-in-2024/))
US fatal firefighter injuries declined by 31 percent in 2024 — International Fire & Safety Journal
Deaths among firefighter recruits and probationary firefighters are often due to sudden cardiac events during physical training, with documented cases including collapses from exertional heat illness and overexertion. ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants)) ([FireRescue1](https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/everyone-goes-home-except-some-recruits-and-applicants))
Everyone goes home — except some recruits and applicants — FireRescue1
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz issued a formal proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Firefighter Timothy Bertz’s funeral.
- The half-staff order applies to all state buildings and encourages individuals, businesses and other entities to lower their flags; the proclamation specifies the funeral date (Monday) and cites Bertz’s service record and recent graduation from the St. Paul Fire Academy as the reason for the honor.
- Timothy Bertz was a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate who died days after graduation, underscoring how early in his career he died.
- Bertz was remembered by peers for an 'all in' mentality; coverage highlighted his role, age and other biographical details.
- A memorial service in St. Paul drew St. Paul Fire Department leadership and community members; family, colleagues and city officials delivered remarks and specific quotes reflecting on his character, commitment and impact on the department and community.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Provides biographical detail on Timothy Bertz, including his age, role as a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate, and reputation among peers as an 'all in' firefighter.
- Describes the memorial service itself: location, approximate attendance, participation by St. Paul Fire Department leadership, and tenor of remarks.
- Includes specific quotes from family members, colleagues and/or city officials reflecting on his character, commitment and impact on the department and community.
- Clarifies the short time between his academy graduation and the incident that led to his death, underscoring how early in his career he died.
- Gov. Tim Walz issued a formal proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Firefighter Timothy Bertz’s funeral.
- The half-staff order applies to all state buildings and encourages individuals, businesses, and other entities to lower their flags as well.
- The proclamation specifies the funeral date (Monday) and cites Bertz’s service record and recent graduation from the St. Paul Fire Academy as the reason for the honor.