Fire Chief MAYDAY: While In Indy, Ohio LODD Update (The Secret List)

While in Indianapolis attending the FDIC (Fire Department Instructor’s Conference) on April 11, Chief Chris Hecht (FF since 1992 and Chief since 2001 of the Sister Bay Liberty Grove FD in Door Co, Wisconsin) suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm.

He was rushed by I-EMS to the University of Indiana Methodist Health Hospital in Indianapolis. It was determined through testing that Chris had a ruptured brain aneurysm. The medical team immediately took him to surgery. Since the surgery (first of many), Chris has been heavily sedated and on a ventilator. Liz (his wife) and children (Helen and Matt) have been at his side since.

Not surprisingly, the IFD and Chief Ernie Malone have been in touch with, visiting, and helping the family. The FDIC Leadership is well aware and in touch with them as well.

On April 16th, Chris was taken to surgery yet again so the medical team could improve blood flow in the brain. He is still in critical condition, and his prognosis is guarded. They likely won’t be able to do a full neurological scan for another week or more.

What the family does know is that they don’t expect him to return home anytime soon. However, he comes out of this, it will take months of recovery. While they are reluctant to ask for help…the area Brothers & Sisters are stepping up, knowing the family WILL need help.

Like so many of you, Chris has been a very giving person and goes out of his way to help many without hesitation. The ask today is if you can send a few bucks to help support the family with their out-of-town expenses and related challenges they will be facing.

Upon Chris’s return to his hometown in Wisconsin, he and Liz will be faced with various unplanned expenses (lack of Liz’s income from work, so she can help Chris, home nurses, potential modifications to their home, etc)

Officials held a press conference this morning regarding the investigation into the death of Lieutenant Paul Mickolick, the Wayne County Firefighter-Paramedic who was killed in the line of duty while assisting a driver at the side of a road in Congress Township.

Mickolick, who served for 16 years as a flight paramedic for the Cleveland Clinic before joining Town and Country Fire, was assisting the driver of a pickup truck who had become stuck in a ditch off of Stratton Road on April 18. A Ford F-150 driven by a 64-year-old West Salem man was southbound on Stratton Road when he drove off the right side of the road into the ditch, striking the pickup truck and its driver as well as Mickolick.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 4/24/2025-1418 Hours