HEATHER CASPI
Firehouse.com News

An Illinois firefighter died Saturday, October 13 while taking part in dive rescue training.

Kenneth J. Frayne, 28, served the Channahon Fire Protection District for four years.

During a multi-agency rescue drill at about 12 p.m. Saturday, all of the divers under water gave the "safe signal" to surface, said Paul Segalla, the department's administrative coordinator. Frayne was accounted for at that point, but he didn't come up with the other divers.

After his body was recovered, Frayne was given CPR en route to the hospital and received treatment there for about another 45 minutes, Segalla said. But the firefighter was pronounced dead in the Morris Hospital emergency room at 1:12 p.m.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, pending the results of an autopsy and an examination of the dive equipment.

The department is also reviewing its standard operating procedures to see if any alterations are necessary, Segalla said.

Frayne was extremely involved with the department, and in addition to his work with the dive rescue team, he was a member of the special rescue team.

Department members described him as a smart, energetic poster-child for the department, and as a proud member who always wore something with the department's logo on it.

Frayne also ran his own construction business, and was an avid hunter and lover of the outdoors, Segalla said.

He is survived by his wife Deborah and many close family members, and was the first in his department to die in the line of duty.

Funeral Services took place Wednesday, October 17 at Channahon United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. Interment was at Willard Grove Cemetery in Channahon.