A veteran Chicago Fire Department engineer who died during a training exercise this week has been identified, authorities said.
Steven Decker, a 30-year member of the fire department, marks the department’s second loss in less than two months.
Decker, 61, died while taking part in a training exercise on the 6600 block of North Kedzie in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, authorities said.
CFD Local Union 2 shared a photo of Decker and a statement on social media late Thursday, saying he worked at Engine Co. #71.
“Steven passed today performing his duties with his brothers and sisters on CFD. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers” the union said.
Outside his firehouse Friday morning, fellow firefighters could be seen hanging ribbons and bunting in his honor.
It marks the second big loss for the department following the death of firefighter Michael Altman, who was killed battling a blaze in Chicago less than two months ago.
