Verde Valley Fire District officials announced late Monday, Oct. 18, that firefighter and paramedic Tyrone Earl Bell died from complications of COVID-19.
“It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that we announce the Line of Duty Death of Verde Valley firefighter / paramedic Tyrone Earl Bell. Tyrone passed away this afternoon from complications of Covid-19,” the statement read.
| At the Verde Valley Fire District Governing Board Meeting July 25, 2017, Tyrone Bell was promoted from a reserve firefighter/paramedic to a full-time firefighter/paramedic. Photo courtesy of the Verde Valley Fire District |
Bell, 35, served four years at firefighter with Verde Valley Fire District, but had a 14-year career as a first responder in the Verde Valley.
Bell earned his EMT and firefighter certifications at Yavapai College. He started working for Verde Valley Ambulance Co. in 2007 as a full-time EMT. After about three years, he attended paramedic school through Northern Arizona Healthcare and had been a paramedic for six years when he became a reserve firefighter for the Clarkdale Fire District.
In 2016, he became a shared Reserve Firefighter for Verde Valley Fire District and Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority. The Verde Valley Fire District hired him full time July 25, 2017.
“He was a dedicated public servant,” the VVFD statement read. “To know Tyrone was to love him. His passing will leave a huge void here at Verde Valley Fire District. Additional information about Firefighter Bell and the details regarding the services will be released in the days to follow.”
Bell is survived by his wife of eight years, Ashli, and their 5-year-old son Tyson.
On a page Carrie Heisinger set up to organize a meal train for Bell’s family, a statement posted Oct. 18 by Daniel Grenough reads, “Dear friends, I am saddened to share the passing of our beloved friend Tyrone Bell. He fought a terrible battle against Covid 19 very hard this past 11 days. Unfortunately, God needed him to serve from above, and he joined many sweet family and friends on Oct 18, 2021. At this time, we are postponing any meal or grocery needs as his son, mother and father also recover from COVID. We will make updates as the needs arise. Continue to pray for peace, understanding, and healing for his supporting family, his friends and colleagues at Verde Valley Fire District, and all the people he has touched over his all too abbreviated life. We are forever blessed to have known and loved him. Peace, our sweet brother, we love you.”
The earlier statement on the meal train page reads, “As you may know Tyrone Bell became suddenly ill with COVID-19 on Saturday. His first symptoms included seizures. His fellow colleagues/friends from Verde Valley Fire District rushed him to VVMC where efforts to control the seizures continued, but proved to be difficult. He was then intubated, sedated, and flown to Barrow Neurologic Center at St. Joseph’s in Phoenix. During the next several days there were delays in getting his MRI of his brain due to staffing shortages. This further prolonged his complete assessment and resulted in days of agonizing uncertainty for his family. No family is ever prepared for this type of catastrophic interruption.
“Of course, there is no direct contact with him as he is in isolation. The nurses have shared video of him. As there is no known timeline in Tyrone’s recovery, we ask that you provide prayers and support any way you can. We will know more over time, as to when the family will be home and in need of meals.
“Missed work, and medical bills add up quickly so please consider a monetary donation if possible. Tyrone’s career as a Verde Valley firefighter/paramedic has committed him to serve his community. Let us show he and his family how much we appreciate his compassion for others. This is a man who will drop what he is doing to help others. He always offers a laid back smile and makes everyone feel comfortable. He is a model husband and father to Tyson and Ashli. As you know, the Bells have struggled through this same scenario with other family members more than once, so you can imagine the devastating impact this has had on them. Pray for a full and fast recovery for our sweet friend.”
