NJ Firefighter Dies, Collapsed After Training

HARRISON, NJ — A Harrison firefighter died Saturday after he collapsed a few hours after a training exercise, according to Deputy Chief Henry Richard of the Harrison Fire Department.

The firefighter is Vincent Doffont, who has been a firefighter for the town of Harrison since 2017. Doffont, 37, was a paid firefighter, not a volunteer. He was also a U.S. Marine.

He and the rest of the firefighters participated in a roof ventilation exercise Saturday morning and then Doffont collapsed a few hours later while in the shower at the firehouse, said Richard.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His exact cause of death has not been determined, the deputy chief said.

He described Doffont as an extremely well-liked member of the department, "someone who was always helping the new guys."

Before that, Doffont was a Harrison police officer and also briefly worked as a Hudson County Sheriff's officer, the town fire department said in a Facebook post announcing his death.

"With the most profound sadness we must announce the passing of active firefighter Vincent Doffont," the Harrison Fire Department posted on Facebook. "Prior to joining the HFD, Vinny was a patrolman for Harrison Police. He also served with the Hudson County Sheriff department. Vinny served his country honorably as a United States Marines, proudly as an 0311."

This GoFundMe page was created to cover final expenses for his burial, and to support his family. The GoFundMe was only launched Tuesday afternoon and in just two hours, more than $4,000 has already been contributed.

Harrison firefighter Matthew Nicastro wrote, "Vinnie was the proudest husband, father, son, friend, firefighter, Marine, police officer. Everything he did, he did at its best."

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