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William “Billy” J. Shaffer

Assistant Chief

Assistant Chief Shaffer and the members of his fire department responded to a vehicle fire incident. Following his arrival on scene, Chief Shaffer suffered a medical emergency with respiratory and cardiac distress. Other emergency personnel on-scene immediately began medical intervention; however, he then went into cardiac arrest. He was transported to a local hospital, but was unable to be revived.

photo of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
William “Billy” J. Shaffer was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.

Department information

Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company #2
375 Route 206
Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844

Chief: Mike Patton

Age: 53
Rank: Assistant Chief
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: July 14, 2021 1:18 p.m.
Date of death: July 14, 2021
Cause of death: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of death: Heart Attack
Activity type: Incident Command
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Street/Road

Last updated: July 07, 2022