On Wednesday, the Kansas City-metro first responder community celebrated the life of firefighter-paramedic Kyle Brinker, who died in the line of duty on Sept. 17 after experiencing a medical emergency during a training exercise.
First responders from around the metro and as far as Topeka and Columbia, Missouri, were at the celebration of life for Brinker at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty.
Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department (KCFD) Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins, who knew Brinker as a co-worker for five to six years, said Brinker’s close co-workers are staying strong, but are heartbroken.
Lauren Leslie/KSHB“Unfortunately, when he passed, they were actually there on the scene, and they were the ones who were working that incident,” Hopkins said. “So, that’s very traumatic for you. We do that kind of work every day, but when you’re doing it on someone you know and care about, it’s a whole different level.”…