Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One says firefighter died unexpectedly at home
A member of Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, 47-year-old Eliza Hoover, died unexpectedly at her home on July 26, the department said.
“With much sorrow, we regret to share the unexpected passing of a dedicated member of our fire service family on July 26,” the department said. “Eliza Hoover joined Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One in 2009. She was our first career female firefighter, first female paramedic, EMS Provider of the Year, Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor, and EMT course coordinator.”
Assistant Chief Dan Bjurstrom told The Gateway that he had known Hoover personally and appreciated the outpouring of community support he has already seen following the loss.
“She was part of our family and we are grieving and we are in mourning,” Bjurstrom said. “We just appreciate the ongoing support and the continued kindness that flows from our community.”
Across its social media accounts, the department also changed their profile images to reflect mourning, with a straight black line through the middle of the Gig Harbor Fire and Medic logo.
According to KOMO, the department held a procession for Hoover on Friday. The procession took the fallen firefighter to her final resting place in Gig Harbor.
Bjurstrom was at the procession and said it was important for him to stand with the department to honor one of their own.
“It was important to be a part of the group that honored her and ensured that she was escorted with great dignity and care,” Bjurstrom said.
The department shared a tribute to recognize Hoover for who she was as a person beyond her time on duty.
“However, Eliza was much more than a Firefighter/Paramedic. She loved snowboarding with her son, hiking, and spending time with her German Shepherds,” the department said. “She deeply loved her family, treated others with kindness, and was our friend. We will miss her greatly.”
Bjurstrom said the cause of death was not currently known.
“It is undetermined,” Bjurstrom said. “She was at home, and right now we’re just awaiting more information.”
The assistant chief did say that the department responded to Hoover’s home, as she lived in the city.
“She did live in Gig Harbor and yes, we responded,” Bjurstrom said.
Bjurstrom did confirm that Hoover had “not been transported to a local hospital” after responders came to her home.
As of Monday, Bjurstrom said the department was still waiting on more information on the circumstances surrounding Hoover’s death.
“At this point in time, the cause of death is still undetermined,” Bjurstrom said.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner has listed on their website that they have determined the “cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of this incident” though it has not been officially released.
“If [the medical examiner] has issued a report, I have not seen it,” Bjurstrom said.
Tina Curran, public information officer for the department, said a death like this was a rarity for the department.
“This came as a shock to all of us and, at least for Gig Harbor Fire, this is not something that we experience with any regularity,” Curran said. “We’re all humans and we loved Eliza and so we are processing the grief of our friend and our colleague. We have great support from operational teams as we navigate through this tough time.”
Curran said the department is still working closely with the family on funeral services in order to be sensitive to their loss and respect their privacy.
She also highlighted how Hoover was a “lover of life” and held a special place in their hearts as the department’s first female firefighter.
“She had a very supportive family and a son who lived here locally,” Curran said. “She had a very robust life.”
The department also gave notice on its Facebook page that it had canceled their Board of Fire Commissioners last week.
The next regular meeting will be on August 10 at 5 p.m.
The firefighter’s union, Gig Harbor Firefighters Local 3390, announced a donation campaign that it said was “an official & family approved method of assisting in these difficult times.” The campaign can be found at https://unionly.io/o/npff/honoring-eliza-hoover.
This story was originally published July 27, 2021 at 5:23 PM.
