Minnetonka’s assistant fire chief dies after medical emergency

Minnetonka Assistant Fireplace Chief Jim Flanders died Saturday immediately after he was uncovered unresponsive at his property.

Police and firefighters attempted lifesaving measures and took Flanders to a hospital in which he later died, a information release from the west metro city claimed.

“My coronary heart is damaged for Jim’s relatives and our hearth loved ones. Getting rid of one particular of our brothers is devastating,” stated Minnetonka Fireplace Chief John Vance. “He was constantly at his post assisting our community get ready for and deal with emergencies.”

Flanders was 59.

Flanders served for several several years as assistant chief of Unexpected emergency Professional medical Products and services and Unexpected emergency Management and was beloved by his colleagues in emergency administration and local government, the city said.

In 2021, Flanders was honored with the Spirit of Minnetonka Award for his do the job and commitment. The accolade is supplied each year to the city’s worker of the yr,

“Jim was an indispensable useful resource for our neighborhood and also acknowledged by our inhabitants,” explained Minnetonka Metropolis Manager Mike Funk. “Just a couple of times ago, he was the one particular passing together warnings as significant storms approached Minnetonka. He also ongoing to observe COVID-19 and coordinated the area’s response to the pandemic.”

Specifics about plans for a memorial will be unveiled at a later date, the town said.