It is still unclear what happened during that training exercise and how the firefighter died. But the union president says he was admired for his work and commitment.
Steven Decker was a 30-year CFD veteran and engineer and worked for Engine 71 on the city's Far North Side in West Ridge. CFD said on Thursday that the 61-year-old died after a training exercise in the 6600-block of North Kedzie.
Though CFD has not offered details about what happened, the president of Chicago Firefighters Local 2 says Decker was participating in a twice-a-year mandated hose testing.
Decker was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he died. An ambulance carrying his body was later escorted by colleagues in a more than 10-mile procession to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, where first responders stood at attention, saluting his service and sacrifice.
Decker is the second Chicago firefighter to die while on duty this year. CFD Firefighter Michael Altman was also killed two months ago while battling a fire in Rogers Park.