LA County Fire Department Announces On-Duty Death of Firefighter

Jonathan Van Oeffelen was assigned to Station 52 in Vernon. L.A. County Fire Department

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has announced the on-duty death of one of its firefighters.

Jonathan Van Oeffelen died March 24 while on active duty, the department said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Van Oeffelen was assigned to Station 52 in Vernon, the department said.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner said Van Oeffelen died by suicide.

“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of FF Van Oeffelen,” the department’s post read.

“To ensure the proper care and support of the Van Oeffelen family and our personnel, Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone has activated the department’s chaplains, peer support team, behavioral health clinicians, and memorial management team,” the department continued in its statement.

“Thank you for respecting the privacy of the Van Oeffelen family during this extraordinarily difficult time.”

The Los Angeles County Firefighters’ Benefit & Welfare Association created a GoFundMe page for the family with a $50,000 goal. More than $28,000 had been raised as of the afternoon of March 27.

City News Service contributed to this report.