Franklin firefighter suffers fatal heart attack on duty

A member of the Franklin Fire Department, Assistant Chief James Wilber, suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a call Sunday morning.

A public news release sent out by the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services stated that Wilber was a 39-year veteran of the Franklin Fire Department: 

It is with deep regret that Delaware County Department of Emergency Services and Franklin Volunteer Fire Department announce the Line of Duty Death of Assistant Chief James C. Wilber. Jim suffered an apparent cardiac event while responding to a call this morning, February 9, 2013. He was transported to Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney by the Unadilla Emergency Squad and Cooperstown Medical Transport where he was declared deceased a short time later.

Assistant Chief Wilber was a dedicated member of the fire service with over 40 years invested in volunteering, 39 years of which he served with the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sue, his son, Ken and his sister, Debbie.

Funeral arrangements and services are pending at this time and will be announced once they are finalized.

Please join us in offering condolences to Assistant Chief Wilber’s family and his fire service family in Franklin.

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