Community remembers fallen firefighter

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The community mourns with the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department as the department loses a firefighter in the line of duty.

Mark Haudenschild, II, 26, died from blunt force trauma when he was ejected from a water tanker truck that rolled over as he was trying to get to a brush fire.

"The community will pull together, at least, in times of tragedy, that's what we do," said Brian Fruchey, who lives across the street from the department.

Flags were flown at half-staff Monday at Fort Wayne Fire Department Station 1, at the Firefighter's Memorial off Wells Street and at the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department.

There was a procession Monday afternoon in honor of Haudenschild, II. Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department escorted him from St. Joseph Hospital to D.O. McComb and Sons via Main Street to Columbia Ave.

"We all consider ourselves brothers, and when we lose a firefighter, it's like losing a member of family," said Dennis Giere, treasurer for the Law Enforcement/Firefighter Board of Allen County.

Giere said Haudenschild, II will be added to the firefighter's memorial.

Yorktown/Mt. Pleasant Township Fire Department out of Yorktown, Indiana posted their condolences to the department on its Facebook page. "It states: Thoughts and prayers to the Washington Township Fire Department near Fort Wayne who lost one of their own while responding to a brush fire. Stay strong brothers."

A memorial fund has been set up at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union for the Haudenschild family. Donations can be made at any 3Rivers branch.