EMT’s death a mystery

A black banner hung over the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department’s Hillendale station Monday as fellow volunteers mourned the sudden loss of a veteran medic.

Cecilia Turnbough, who had served eight years with the fire department, mysteriously collapsed during a training simulation around 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Prince William Public Safety Academy in Nokesville. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital a little more than an hour later.

The state medical examiner’s office in Fairfax performed an autopsy Monday to determine the cause of death, but the final results won’t be released for about 12 weeks.

Maintenance crews on Monday hung the black banner, called memorial bunting, above the station’s bay doors. It will stay for about 30 days.

The symbol is a sobering reminder to local residents and fire and rescue volunteers alike that their job is never easy.

Turnbough’s death delivered a tough blow to the members of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Chris Hool called Sunday the “saddest day” in the department’s history.

“I would love to have her as a mom,” said Stessy Jones, a member of the department’s maintenance crew who considered Turnbough a close friend. The medic had three children — one of them a 19-year-old son serving in the military. “She was dedicated to her kids because they came first.”

Turnbough’s fellow volunteers described her as a dedicated member of the department, always focused on helping those in need.

There was a fun side to the dedicated wife and mother of three, too. Jones said while not on duty Turnbough would help decorate fire trucks and ambulances for holiday parades. She would often bring her kids to the fire department’s Thanksgiving dinners and usually dressed up as a gypsy for Halloween events.

Her spirit will definitely be missed around the holidays, Jones said.

There were no official plans Monday for a memorial service, although the department plans to coordinate something, department member Steve Chapel said.

Chapel said more than 200 members of the organization were expected Monday night for an informational session about the loss of their fellow volunteer.

Chapel said the department usually communicates through an internal e-mail system but a tragic event like this deserves a “more personal touch.”

“We want to make sure than everyone is clear on the information on what occurred yesterday and what the plan is to celebrate Cecilia’s life and providing her the appropriate respect she deserves,” Chapel said.

The meeting was expected to last about an hour and was closed to reporters.

Turnbough’s husband, Chris, is a lieutenant with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department. He has not been back to the fire station since his wife died Sunday, Chapel said.

The family is awaiting the return of 19-year-old Richie Turnbough, the couple’s son, who is out of the country serving aboard a U.S. Navy ship.

He is aware of his mother’s sudden death and the Navy is working to get him back to the U.S., family friend Todd Martinson said.

The Navy will provide shore leave and transportation for him but it “may be a few days” before he returns to the county, Martinson added.

Turnbough was training to become a firefighter because she wanted a change from her regular medic duties, Chief Hool said Sunday night.

She served at all four of Dale City’s volunteer stations wherever she was needed, Hool added.

Her training class, which began on Oct. 23, has been canceled indefinitely, Prince William fire spokesman Randy Earl said.

Turnbough lost consciousness inside the maze — a training simulator that uses no smoke or fire, but requires students to use oxygen masks and full breathing gear to simulate being inside an actual burning building.

When an instructor realized she never made it out of the simulator, someone went inside the maze and pulled her out around 2:30 p.m.

Turnbough was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a little more than an hour later.

The maze is no longer being used as the investigation into Turnbough’s death continues, Earl said.

Prince William police closed the outdoor training grounds, where she collapsed, around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The area still remains roped off as part of their investigation, Earl said.

Classes resumed inside the training academy Monday.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.