Chief dies from colon cancer

The Dale City Volunteer Fire Department lost a long-time member to colon cancer.

Assistant Chief Carl Persing died this week after fighting three bouts of colon cancer during the past five years. He was 53-years-old when he died, said DCVFD spokesman Steve Chappell.

Black cloths have been draped over Dale City’s four firehouses and Persing’s chief’s vehicle, said Chappell.

The department draped similar black cloth over their stations in 2008, after Dale City EMT Cecilia Turnbough died during a training exercise at the Prince William County Public Safety Center.

Funeral Arrangements for Persing are still being worked out.

He leaves behind two children, his parents, brother, sister and the fire department family, said Chappell.

Persing retired from the Manassas City Fire and Rescue Department in 2007. He joined DCVFD as a volunteer in 2001.

During his life, he also served with the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire Department and the U.S. Army.