Portland Fire Department Captain Michael Kucsma Dies While Scuba Diving near Back Cove

PORTLAND, Maine – Captain Michael Kucsma, a decorated 21-year veteran firefighter, died off-duty while on a recreational scuba dive. Kucsma, an avid and experienced diver, was reported missing by a diving partner around 3:40 PM.

Members of the Portland Fire Department responded to the scene and worked to locate, extricate, and resuscitate Kucsma. He was pronounced dead at the scene and then taken to a local funeral home.    

Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria spoke of the tragedy saying, “Rescues of this nature are never easy, but when it’s a co-worker it is that much harder on everyone involved.” Counselors and peer support personnel have been called in to provide support to the family, the responding crews as well as Kucsma's co-workers who are off duty today. “When you spend this amount of time with someone and place the kind of trust in each other as we do, we become a big family. It’s just a devastating loss for everyone. We will provide whatever support is needed for his family at home and his co-workers here in Portland,” continued LaMoria.

Kucsma joined the department in 1993 as a firefighter and was most recently promoted to the rank of captain in 2006.  He was assigned to Engine 6 at Bramhall Station on Congress Street in Portland.

Funeral arrangements have not been determined at this time and will be released as they become available.