Community Rallies To Support OC Firefighter Who Died In Line Of Duty

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — The family of an Orange County firefighter sought the public's help, after dedicated Fire Apparatus Engineer Kevin Skinner died serving in the line of duty this weekend.

The veteran firefighter suffered a cardiac arrest and died Sunday morning while fighting a residential structure fire in south Orange County, authorities said.

In order to help support Skinner's wife and three children during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page was created by the Fallen Firefighter Relief Fund. As of Tuesday, over $3,000 out of a $300,000 goal had been raised.

According to firefighters, Skinner was among those dispatched to a residential blaze in Laguna Niguel at around 4:56 a.m. Sunday in the 2900 block of Point Royale.

While actively engaged on the scene, Skinner experienced a sudden medical emergency. Fellow firefighters performed life-saving measures, and Skinner was moved to a nearby hospital, where he died.

"Kevin Skinner was a dedicated member of the OCFA family, serving with distinction and unwavering commitment to the community. His loss is deeply felt by his colleagues and the countless lives he touched during his career," a department spokesperson told Patch.

At a news conference later Sunday morning at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where Skinner was taken by ambulance and pronounced dead, OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy said Skinner and his crew were assigned to search the home for residents, but he informed his captain that he wasn't feeling well. He was escorted outside to a paramedic unit where he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

Fennessy said Skinner joined the OCFA on July 3, 1999, and prior to that had served in the U.S. Navy for four years.

"Kevin was well-liked throughout our agency and had a gift for making everyone around him feel welcome. His presence will be missed," the chief added.

To donate to Skinner's GoFundMe, click here.