Slocum VFD Safety Chief hospitalized

SLOCUM – A firefighter with the Slocum Volunteer Fire Department is currently in the hospital after experiencing a serious medical emergency while on duty earlier this week.

According to our news partner KETK, the department spokesperson said while responding to a fire on Tuesday, Safety Chief Dan Hernandez experienced a medical emergency and was taken to a hospital in Palestine.

After being stabilized, Hernandez was taken by an ambulance to a hospital in Tyler, where he currently remains.

“We request your thoughts and prayers for Dan, his wife Valerie, his son Trey, his grandsons and all of his family,” the department said. “We not only consider Dan an integral part of our department, but also a long-time friend and member of our Slocum community.”