NC Fire Dept Honors Colleague Who Died From COVID-19 With Siren: VIDEO

A fire department in North Carolina will honor a colleague who died recently after a battle with COVID-19.

The Clayton Fire Department will sound three whistles from an old fire siren Friday morning to honor the life of 20-year department veteran and deputy chief of training and operations Jason Dean, the department announced on its Facebook account.

Dean, 42, died Tuesday night after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in August, ABC 11 reports.

Dean's body was transported back to Clayton from UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill on Thursday as local fire departments in the Triangle region participated in a caravan along Interstate 40 as emergency vehicles escorted him home, ABC 11 reports.

Dean was one of 17 Clayton firefighters reported to have tested positive during an outbreak at the department in August and was hospitalized on August 18, ABC 11 reports.

Clayton Fire Department said it teamed up with the Archer Lodge Fire Department and Clayton Public Power crews to mount the old fire siren on Thursday. The department used to use three whistles to call to the station to respond to fires and emergencies.

Local residents are encouraged to participate in a moment of silence during the Friday's demonstration.

A funeral procession is scheduled to take place on Monday, which will include a parade of fire trucks from departments throughout the state of North Carolina, prior to Dean's burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Clayton, ABC 11 reports.

Photo: Clayton Fire Department