WASHINGTON COUNTY

LINE OF DUTY DEATH (L.O.D.D.)

CAPTAIN SEAN WHITEN

ROSCOE VOL. FIRE DEPT.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN SEAN T. WHITEN 

Roscoe fire captain dies during training

The captain of Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday at Monongahela Valley Hospital, where he was taken after collapsing during a training exercise in Westmoreland County.

Sean Whiten, 47, of Stockdale, was conducting training at the Westmoreland County fire training facility near Smithton when he collapsed, said Roscoe fire Chief Todd Mauk. Whiten was a Pennsylvania certified fire instructor.

Washington County Coroner Tim Warco, in a report released Saturday night, said Whiten was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m. in the emergency room, where he had been brought in cardiac arrest. Whiten had completed the exercises and was taking a break when he was found unresponsive.

"It is a bittersweet day for us," Mauk said Saturday. "Our assistant chief is getting married today. We are absolutely in shock. He died in the line of duty."

Whiten, who also had been chief of the department, was a member for more than two decades. He also was a state-certified instructor for almost that long, Mauk said.

Whiten had been conducting a class in structural burn.

"The ambulance was on the scene for the class," Mauk said. "The ambulance took him to the hospital, but they were unable to revive him."

Roscoe Mayor Tom Wilkinson said that when he was chief of the department, Whiten served as his assistant chief. Wilkinson said that word has started to filter through the community about Whiten's death.

"He was a dedicated volunteer," Wilkinson said. "When the whistle blew, he was always there to respond. He will be missed."

Whiten's brother, Bob Whiten, is the chief of Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department.

Mauk said arrangements are incomplete. A firefighter's funeral will be conducted next week.

 Fallen
                           

Rest now my fallen brother
Lay soft your suffering back
Rest well and forever
Your memory shall not lack
Rest your tired hands
Wipe clean your weary brow
Rest with St. Florian
Your spirit now endowed
Rest here your breaking heart
We know you gave your all
Rest easy, you’ve done your part
You’ve answered your last call
Rest knowing that in god we sought
Oh lord, watch over another who just fell
Rest assured your troubled thought
As we ring the final bell.

 OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF SEAN WHITEN AND STATION 16 

YOU WILL BE MISSED.