Our condolences to the Mitchell family and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue of Florida. FireFighter Recruit Wayne Mitchell, 37, was in his 14th of 16 weeks of training when he died Friday August 8, 2003. Wayne was was overcome by heat during a routine certification exercise in a shipboard simulation container at the Resolve Marine Fire School in Port Everglades. Four other recruits were overcome by heat. All five recruits were rushed to Broward General Medical Center. Wayne died before reaching the hospital. The four other firefighters were treated and released.

     Three instructors were with the five recruits during the exercise. After completion of the exercise and exiting the container the instructors realized Wayne had not exited. They rushed in to find him collapsed. There were approximately 30 recruits involved in the training on the day of the accident. The recruits of Class No. 93 are scheduled to graduate in late December. Before joining the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Wayne had been saving lives as a lifeguard, most recently at Haulover Beach.

     Our brother Wayne leaves behind his wife Nancy, a social worker for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. A memorial fund has been established and donations can be made to: