South Metro Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic dies of occupational cancer

Anthony “Tony” Palato, a seasoned firefighter and paramedic successful the metro country died of crab connected Wednesday. South Metro Fire Rescue announced that Palato died successful the “Line of Duty.”

With large sadness, South Metro Fire Rescue announces the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Paramedic Anthony Palato who passed distant peacefully today, September 15, 2021. pic.twitter.com/LcPULI167e

— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) September 15, 2021

Palato began his vocation with the Sheridan Fire Department and helium joined the Cunningham Fire Department successful 2000, according to South Metro Fire Rescue Authority. Cunningham merged with South Metro successful 2018.

Diagnosed with an “occupational cancerous tumor” successful 2017, Palato’s crab went into remission but it returned, SMFR said. Palato retired successful March due to the fact that of his cancer.

“As a paramedic for 21 years, determination is nary uncertainty that Tony touched galore lives and volition beryllium remembered arsenic a kind, caring and compassionate idiosyncratic with a existent servant’s heart, helium volition beryllium greatly missed,” the occurrence section said.

On Wednesday, flags astatine SMFR facilities were flown astatine fractional unit and unit badges were shrouded successful tribute of Palato.

He is survived by his wife; 2 daughters and “his 2nd household of firefighters,” SMFR said connected Twitter.