By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — The North Park Fire Protection District is mourning the death of Brian Rehnberg, a firefighter and paramedic who died shortly after returning home from his shift on Christmas Day.
Rehnberg, 50, responded to several calls while on duty and his death is being treated as a line-of-duty event, the department said in a news release. His cause of death was not immediately released.
“He was a loving friend, mentor and an outstanding firefighter whose passion was providing caring and compassionate service to the public,” the district wrote in a news release. “Brian’s love and passion for the fire service was unmatched and unwavering.”
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Rehnberg was with the department since November 2008. He had started in fire service as an explorer with the Rockford Fire Department before joining the Cherry Valley Fire Protection District in 1999. He also served as an emergency medical technician with Lifeline Ambulance and the Kirkland Fire Protection District.
“Brian was always looking to better himself and those around him,” North Park wrote in a Facebook post.
Memorial services are planned for Tuesday at the Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.
A visitation will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with funeral services at 1 p.m. A procession will depart from the memorial services to Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, where his final call will be dispatched.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.