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By JACKIE RIPLEY
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 31, 2001
TAMPA -- A 36-year-old Hillsborough County firefighter collapsed while exercising at his fire station Wednesday and died despite rescue efforts by his colleagues.
Hillsborough Fire Capt. Darryl J. Dzugen was taken to University Community Hospital on Fletcher Avenue and died at 9 p.m.
"He had every possible chance," said Nancy Couch, a division chief with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
"A citizen passing by saw him collapse and ran inside to notify the other guys. He had immediate care."
The cause of death was undetermined.
Couch said Dzugen had helped battle a blaze earlier that day but was back at Station 14 near the University of South Florida by 4:30 p.m.
"He and all the crew worked very hard," Couch said. "He came back, had dinner and was concerned about some weight gain, so he was working out when he collapsed."
Couch said Dzugen joined Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in 1985.
At age 12, he was a firefighter Explorer, and he continued his involvement in the program until he was old enough to become a volunteer firefighter in 1983 for the Brandon Fire District.
"His father was an active volunteer at the Fire Department in Brandon," Couch said. "That's where his interest came from."
Dzugen, who worked his way up through the ranks, was promoted to captain in February 1995.
He also taught basic firefighting for six years at Hillsborough Community College, taking over as coordinator of the program last year.
"He touched hundreds, thousands of people interested in getting into this field," Couch said.
Dzugen, who lived with his family in Carrollwood, leaves behind his wife of 13 years, Jackie, and two sons, ages 8 and 5. He also is survived by his mother.
-- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 226-3468
Visitation for Hillsborough County fire Capt. Darryl J. Dzugen will be at Blount Roel and Curry Funeral Home, 5101 N Nebraska Ave., on Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Monday from 6 to 10 p.m. A funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, U.S. 301 and Fowler Avenue.