WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A prominent figure in Whatcom County’s firefighting community has died.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) announced that Division Chief Shaun Ward passed away on March 19 at the age of 58 due to complications from cancer.

Ward joined Whatcom County Fire District 8 as a firefighter in 2007. He served as a Lieutenant and Captain after he switched over to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, where he worked for 18 years.

Ward was promoted to his most recent role as the Division Chief of Support Services in 2021.

NWFR Chief Jason Van der Veen said that Ward was diagnosed with cancer that stemmed from his exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job. He was forced to retire from his position in December due to complications from the cancer.

Chief Van der Veen notes that this marks NWFR’s 3rd occupational-illness related death in 5 years.