Ocean City FD Escorts Fallen Philadelphia Firefighter

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Several local fire departments came together to help a fallen Philadelphia firefighter make his journey home. The Ocean City Fire Department was among the participants in the first leg of Dennis McDaniels's journey.

McDaniels, an off-duty Philadelphia firefighter, died Sunday while competing in Cape May's "Escape the Cape" triathlon. He was 36.

Cape May, Margate, Linwood and Somers Point fire officials, Somers Point police and Shore Medical Center staff participated in Leg 1 of the procession.

See video below:

McDaniels was a member of Philadelphia's Ladder 15. He was a 12-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, according to CBS Philly.

The firefighter was also an experienced and avid athlete, according to a GoFundMe in his honor.

“Denny was a class act. In this firehouse, you just enjoyed being around Denny,” Ladder 15 Lt. Michael Foley told CBS3. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, MaryEllen, and their four young sons — Jake, 10; Bryce, 7; Gavin, 5; and Jude, 1.

McDaniels earned a heroism award a few years ago from rescuing two women from a burning home, according to PennLive.

McDaniels was almost finished with the swimming portion when he was unresponsive from an apparent cardiac arrest, according to officials. Medics performed CPR but were unsuccessful.

See photos of McDaniels below posted on the GoFundMe page:

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