The Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue is mourning the sudden loss of a veteran firefighter and paramedic who suffered a medical emergency while on duty Easter Sunday morning.
Firefighter/Paramedic Steven Lepselter, 54, was found unresponsive around 6:55 a.m. Sunday at the Palm Garage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to Dr. Gregory Tony.
Deputies and fire rescue personnel responded to a medical call at the airport garage, where they discovered Lepselter on the ground. He was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Officials said Lepselter had just completed a fire watch assignment at the airport and was preparing to head to his regular shift in Weston when he was found unresponsive. A cause of death has not yet been released.
In a statement, Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue said Lepselter served Broward County for more than 19 years with dedication, professionalism and compassion. He began his career with the department’s Fire Rescue and Emergency Services division in January 2007.
During his tenure, Lepselter served in multiple specialized units, including Airport Operations, Seaport, Hazardous Materials (HazMat), Air Rescue, and the Training Division.
“This loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Lepselter is deeply felt across our entire organization. Moments like this affect each of us in different ways,” Sheriff Tony said in a statement.
“Throughout his career, he exemplified the values of BSO, consistently putting the needs of the community and his fellow team members above all else. He will be remembered not only for his commitment to the mission, but also for the lasting impact he had on those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” Tony added.
Lepselter was also recognized for his mentorship within the Training Division, where he helped guide and develop the next generation of firefighter-paramedics. Officials described him as bringing passion to his work and providing expert care and reassurance to those in need during emergencies.
Arrangements for Lepselter are pending as colleagues, friends, and family mourn the sudden loss of the veteran first responder.
