Montgomery County Firefighter Dies On Duty

BURTSONVILLE, MD — A Montgomery County firefighter died while on duty at Burtonsville Fire Station 15 Friday afternoon, according to the spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.

Charles "Rick" Gentilcore, 52, of Bowie, was found unresponsive in the fire station by co-workers at around 3:30 p.m. The cause of death has not been determined yet.

Gentilcore was a 23 year member of the MCFRS. He first served as a volunteer with the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department for 11 years, and most recently worked as a career fire fighter rescuer for 12 years.

He leaves behind a wife and son.

"The members of IAFF Local 1664 are deeply saddened by the line of duty death of our fallen brother. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the Gentilcore family during this extraordinarily difficult time," Jeffrey Buddle, President of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1664, said in a statement.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Photo: MCFRS