Cal Fire chief from Jamestown dies during Santa Cruz investigation

A state fire chief from Jamestown died after losing consciousness while on an investigative assignment in Santa Cruz.

Rob Van Wormer, 47, the Santa Clara Unit Battalion Chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was pronounced dead at Dominican Hospital about 8 p.m. Saturday.

Cal Fire has not released additional details about the circumstances of Van Wormer's death except to say that there were numerous attempts to revive him.

The cause of death is not known.

Van Wormer works in the Santa Clara County unit, but was in Santa Cruz working on an investigation when he lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, Cal Fire spokeswoman Angela Bernheisel told the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper.

Van Wormer had been with Cal Fire for 24 years, Bernheisel said.

"He has a long history of doing some pretty high-profile fire investigations and also has a long history in the Cal Fire air program," she told the newspaper. "I've been getting many, many calls from people to say how sorry and shocked they are. He touched a lot of people and was just one of those incredibly likable guys."

She declined to say what case Van Wormer was working on when he collapsed, according to the newspaper.

Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott told the newspaper that Van Wormer's death was "a huge loss for his family, his many friends, his Cal Fire family and the fire service as a whole."

Gov. Jerry Brown said Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in Van Wormer's honor.

"It is with great sadness that Anne and I learned Cal Fire Battalion Chief Rob Van Wormer has passed away," he said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to Rob's family, friends and everyone at Cal Fire during this difficult time."

Van Wormer is survived by his parents, Sharon and Ken, both of Alpine; wife, Jennifer Van Wormer; sons, Austin and Dalton; brother, Kirk Van Wormer of Petaluma, who is a chief officer with Cal Fire; and sister Debbie Van Wormer of Alpine.

This story was originally published October 29, 2012 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Cal Fire chief from Jamestown dies during Santa Cruz investigation."