Edwin Martin, World’s Oldest Firefighter, Dies at 111 in Florida

Retired firefighter Edwin Martin, aged 111 years and 159 days, died in Lehigh Acres, Florida, on July 24‑25, 2024. Martin began his career in 1940 with the Baltimore County Fire Department, serving 24 years before retiring in 1964 and moving to Florida. He returned to service in 1967 as a volunteer with the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, eventually holding every senior position, including interim chief in 1970 and assistant chief from 1971 to 1976.

Martin was recognized as the world’s oldest living firefighter and, after June 2026, the oldest known living man in the United States. Funeral services are scheduled for August 10 at Hodges Funeral Home in Fort Myers, Florida.