Heart attack kills longtime Deptford volunteer firefighter, chief on return to station
DEPTFORD TWP — Volunteer firefighter and past chief Jeff M. Pfeiffer died March 24 from a heart attack suffered after returning to his station from a smoke investigation at a street intersection, the Deptford Fire Department confirmed on Monday.
Pfeiffer, who was 66, was a township firefighter for 50 years. He was a chief for 17 years.
“He served as fire chief in the Almonessen Lake Fire Company and recently retired as a battalion chief in January 2022,” Battalion Chief Robert A. Burkhardt Jr. “The tragic passing of past Chief Jeff M. Pfeiffer reminds us of all the inherent dangers of our profession.
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“We are grateful to our firefighter brothers and sisters, the Gloucester County EMS, Inspira paramedics, and to the hospital staff for their valiant attempts to save Jeff M. Pfeiffer,” Burkhardt said. “The Deptford Fire Department is working to assist the Pfeiffer family and the affected firefighters during this difficult time. Please keep the Pfeiffer family and the men and women of our fire department in our thoughts and prayers.”
Pfeiffer had begun coughing while returning from the Thursday night assignment. The coughing worsened and he was transported to a hospital where he later died, according to an incident posting at the U.S. Fire Administration.
An obituary posted Monday noted that Peiffer was commander of the Gloucester County FOAM Task Force. He was deputy commander of the Delaware Valley Judges Association.
The obituary also noted Pfeiffer was the owner of Westgrove Industrial Park on Delsea Drive and a drummer for many bands.
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His brother Chris also is a volunteer firefighter here as well as a former chief.
A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, April 13 in the chapel of Boucher Funeral Home at 1757 Delsea Drive.
The funeral service will follow at noon. Interment will take place afterward at New Saint Mary’s Cemetery & Mausoleum at 515 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr.
The department is seeking ladder companies to assist with the funeral procession. Personnel and apparatus wishing to take part are asked to contact the department.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Deptford NJ firefighter dies after heart attack
