We raely report on the loss of firefighters, so many of the publications do such a great job, but in this case it's close to home, it was a firefighter from Prince Georges County Fire / EMS in Maryland, a department we consider home. 

Smoke-eater John Ulmschneider, 39, died after the shooting in the Washington D.C. suburb of Temple Hills around 7:30 p.m.

Firefighter Ulmschneider was shot dead and another was seriously injured after a suspect fired on them during a medical emergency call.

Volunteer firefighter Kevin Swain was in surgery late Friday night after arriving at a local hospital in critical condition.

They were responding to a home where a concerned relative had reported a medical emergency, and were trying to gain entry for a welfare check when the man inside who had been unresponsive opened fire through his doorway.

Jessica Diezcanseco, who said she had worked with Ulmschneider at the fire department, said, "I hope you know how much you were loved, and the impact you made in so many lives."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire department and the family of firefighter Ulmschneider; Rest-in-Peace.

As well, our prayers go out to firefighter Swain and his family.

The Battalion Team