Hilliard Firefighter James 'Kevin' Crews Dies in Line of Duty Battling Brush Fire

HILLIARD, Fla. — Firefighter James “Kevin” Crews suffered a medical emergency at approximately 5:20 p.m. Thursday during brushfire suppression operations on the Old Dixie Highway Fire, just south of Henry Smith Road, according to a news release from the Town of Hilliard. First aid was administered on scene, and Crews was transported to UF Health on New Kings Road, where he succumbed at 6:50 p.m. Crews, a two-year veteran assigned to Station 4 of the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department, began his firefighting career in Ware County, Georgia, the town stated. This was the fifth wildfire to erupt in Hilliard in the past week, highlighting ongoing challenges with dry weather and brush fires in Nassau County. The Town of Hilliard and Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department are collaborating with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and state investigative agencies to review the circumstances of the incident, per the release. In tribute, the department has placed Crews’ jacket on a fire truck at the corner of West County Road 108 and Pecan Street, where residents may pay respects through Sunday. The loss comes amid heightened wildfire activity in North Florida, connecting to broader state trends in emergency preparedness as a tropical depression forms in the Gulf, threatening the West Florida coast with potential evacuations in low-lying Panhandle areas. Governor Ron DeSantis recently activated 500 National Guard members for spring storm response, underscoring Florida's focus on resilience amid severe weather. Hilliard residents are encouraged to stay vigilant with fire safety, avoiding open burns and reporting smoke promptly to 911, especially as the state navigates recovery from recent storms and economic strengths like a 2.8% unemployment rate.