This story has been updated to add additional photos and more information.
An Ormond Beach candidate with Flagler County Fire Rescue died Aug. 22 after becoming ill following a physical agility test, according to the Bunnell Police Department.
At about 10 a.m., Fendrick Gabaud, 40, was participating in a Flagler County Fire Rescue standard pre-employment physical agility test at the fire tower at 655 Justice Lane in Bunnell, police stated in a release.
Gabaud recently graduated from fire school and was seeking a job as a firefighter/EMT with Flagler County. “He reportedly was in good shape had no prior employment as a firefighter,” the release stated.
Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker and training staff said Gabaud “successfully completed the required physical agility test, which included climbing three stories of stairs with firefighting equipment, hose lifts, advancing charged hose lines, spraying targets, and dragging a 150-pound manikin.”
Gabaud “finished well within the allotted time.”
After finishing the test and taking off his gear, Gabaud “complained of shortness of breath and feeling unwell,” the release stated. Paramedics were present and immediately rendered aid, but Gabaud became unresponsive, police said.
Gabaud was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, where he was later pronounced dead.
AccuWeather reported the temperature in Bunnell at 85 degrees at 10 a.m., police stated.
Gabaud dreamed of becoming firefighter
Gabaud had dreamed of becoming a firefighter, according to two GoFundMe accounts started to help his family.
“All Fendrick Gabaud wanted to be was a firefighter,” according to both Fundraising accounts.
A Facebook post by the Flagler Beach Fire Department stated that Fendrick was born in Palm Beach County and “was a talented athlete who played football and ran track and field in high school.” The post said he married his high school sweetheart, Alicia. In addition to his wife, survivors include their two children, Aaliyah, 10, and Leo, 6.
Besides graduating from Daytona State College’s Firefighter Minimum Standards and EMT program recently, Gabaud also completed the police academy in 2019, the Facebook posted stated.
“Though he had not yet officially begun his career as a firefighter, Fendrick was – and will always be – part of the firefighter brotherhood, having already proven his dedication, strength and commitment to serve,” according to the post.
Bunnell Police sergeant died during training in 2021
Gabaud’s death brings to mind the death of Bunnell Police Sergeant Dominic Guida, who suffered a “cardiac event” during training at the same place with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 2021.
Guida, 43, suffered the cardiac problem while at the fire tower complex in Bunnell as part of emergency response team training. Guida was rushed to AdventHealth Palm Coast where he died.
In 2018, a 25-year-old Daytona Beach Police recruit named Thomas Coulter died after he collapsed during a jogging and walking exercise, which included stops for pushups and stretching.
Flagler County firefighter candidate’s death under investigation
The Bunnell Police Department, along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Seventh District Medical Examiner’s Office, is conducting an investigation.
“At this stage, there is no indication of accident or foul play,” police stated.
Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon expressed his condolences and stated, “Our hearts go out to the family of this young man whose life was tragically cut short, as well as to the men and women of Flagler County Fire Rescue who stood beside him during his final moments. This is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by those who pursue a career in public safety. On behalf of the Bunnell Police Department, I extend our deepest sympathy to his loved ones and to our colleagues in the fire service.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ormond Beach man trying out for Flagler County Fire Rescue dies after agility tests
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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