Fallen Firefighter Survived By Wife, 2 Children; Tributes Come In

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Emergency responders and county leaders continue to pay tribute to fallen Master Firefighter Christopher J. Higgins, 46, who died Jan. 11 while his Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crew responded to a house fire.

Higgins was driver of Truck 715 (Burtonsville), which was called to a fire on Bradford Drive in Prince George’s County. A news release from the fire department said Higgins suffered a "medical event" as crews fought a fire in a carport, and Higgins died from his injuries.

"It is with profound sadness that the BVFD shares in the grief following the loss of our brother Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins. Having begun in the fire service as a volunteer with the Earleigh Heights VFD, MFF Higgins was a 22-year veteran of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service and was assigned to Fire Station 15 since 2015," Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department shared in a statement.

Gov. Wes Moore extended his condolences over the weekend.

Higgins is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their two young children, the Burtonsville department said. The family lived in Pasadena.

Details about memorial services and department honors for Higgins will be shared as they become available.

Related: MoCo Firefighter From Pasadena Died From PG County Blaze 'A True Hero'

Battalion Chief Rafael Gibson, of the MCFRS Fire & Rescue Training Academy and a longtime colleague of Higgins, said at a news conference that he was a “fireman’s fireman. Chris was loved. Chris was a fireman’s fireman. One of our best,” Gibson said, according to WTOP.

Higgins' death is a sad moment for the county, particularly the members of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and IAFF Local 1664, said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.

"I met with Chris’ family Saturday night and offered my deepest condolences, and I assured them that we would be here to support them during this unimaginably difficult time," Elrich said. … "Our first responders are asked to enter dangerous situations every day to keep us safe. On Saturday, Chris was doing exactly that — demonstrating the bravery and commitment that define the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. His death is a stark reminder of the risks they face on our behalf every hour of the day, every single day. We owe them our deepest gratitude.

"I ask the people of Montgomery County to keep the Higgins family, his friends and his fire service colleagues in your thoughts," Elrich added. "These are the days we hope will never come, but together, we will honor his service to our community."

In addition to serving as a firefighter in Montgomery County, Higgins volunteered in Earliegh Heights in Anne Arundel County.

“To our community, we are still here for you; even during this tough time, we are going to still ensure that we are protecting our community,” Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey Smedley said. “I just ask that things that happen over the next couple of days, you bear with us, it is going to be a very difficult time for each and every one of us.”

Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart offered condolences on behalf of its members to the Higgins family and called him "a true hero (who) devoted more than 22 years of his life to serving and safeguarding our community with compassion and care.

"We are committed to providing the Higgins family and our entire Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service with the support they need throughout this difficult time. We will keep Master Firefighter Higgins and his commitment to helping others in our thoughts, and we know those who served with him will continue his legacy. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him."