Honorees

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Year Honored
2008
Honoree
Joseph Newsome
Agency
Chesterfield Fire-EMS
Agency City
Chesterfield
Agency State
VA
Last Call
4/23/07
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
"You couldn't ask for a finer person," stated Captain Steve Hall. He was a highly-decorated, dedicated and respected firefighter and paramedic.<br /> <br /> Joseph Newsome, 40, of Midlothian, Virginia, died in the line of duty on April 23, 2007. He was performing required fitness training when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on a treadmill. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.<br /> <br /> Mr. Newsome was an 18-year veteran of the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department. He served as acting director for the Emergency Medical Services Division. He had previously served the Namozine Volunteer Fire Department and became a career firefighter with the City of Petersburg. There he obtained the rank of Sergeant until moving on to begin his service with the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department. He became a paramedic in 1992 and was promoted to Lieutenant of the EMS Division. He was a member of the technical rescue team, and was promoted to Captain of the EMS Division in 2005. Mr. Newsome was appointed as Acting Battalion Chief for the division in 2007.<br /> <br /> Joseph received the Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor, for his actions during Tropical Storm Gaston. He was also Firefighter of the Year in 1992.<br /> <br /> Honored 2008