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Quincy Firefighter Dies Responding To Emergency Call

QUINCY (CBS) – A veteran Quincy firefighter died just as he was responding to an emergency call Monday.

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Jackson told The Patriot Ledger firefighter John Austin, 37, became unresponsive at the Copeland Street firehouse as he and other firefighters were getting ready to go out on an emergency call around 3 p.m.

He was rushed to Quincy Medical Center where he died.

There's no word yet on a cause of death.

Austin lived in Quincy and had been with the department since 2002, after serving with the Marines.

According to the Friends Of Quincy Firefighters IAFF Local 792, he leaves behind a fiance and a young son.

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch issued this statement Tuesday:

"Our entire community is deeply saddened by the loss of Firefighter Austin. He was a hard-working, respected, and well-liked young man from a wonderful Quincy family. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with his mom and dad, Lillian and John, his immediate family and his family in the Quincy Fire Department as they begin to cope with this heartbreaking loss. It is a sad day for the City of Quincy."

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