Firefighter at RSM Station Suffers Heart Attack, Dies

Article originally posted Monday, 4:14 p.m. Updated to include additional information.

A 49-year-old Orange County firefighter suffered an apparent heart attack Monday at a station in Rancho Santa Margarita and was declared dead shortly afterward.

Greg Hennessey was found by his colleagues in full cardiac arrest at OCFA Station 45 about 9:40 a.m. on Monday. They immediately began lifesaving operations and transported him to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later, according Capt. Steve Concialdi, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority.

Hennessey, an Eagle Scout-turned-firefighter who worked for the department for 24 years, was an apparatus engineer who mentored youths in the Explorer programs in RSM and Mission Viejo.

“Today we have lost a valuable family member,” OCFA Chief Keith Richter said. “Greg was a respected engineer and indispensable mentor to the young lives that he helped. We are assisting the Hennessy family during this difficult time, and appreciate the support from those around us.”

Hennessey began his career with the OCFA in 1990 and worked for 11 years as a firefighter until he was promoted to engineer in 2001. 

Hennessey, who lived in Trabuco Canyon, is survived by his mother Virginia, wife Deanna and two sons, Ryan, 22, and Brandon, 19.

Funeral arrangements were being made, Concialdi said.

—City News Service

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS: What sentiment or memory would you like to share with the Hennessey family and the crew of Station 45?