The Orange Volunteer Fire Department announced the death of one of its veteran firefighters on Wednesday.

Fire officials said Kenneth Mitchell, 71, a past captain with the department, died on Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency while driving his car on Route 1 in Orange.

Mitchell was recently honored for 50 years of service to the department.

"Kenny was a firefighter's firefighter," said Chief Vaughan Dumas. "He remained an active firefighter in Orange as well as serving with departments in Ansonia and Derby. He also served on numerous organizations that help train firefighters and establish practices and procedures that helped make Connecticut's fire departments among the best. His loss will be felt professionally and personally."

Mitchell was a second-generation firefighter and was sworn into the Orange Volunteer Fire Department in 1973.

He rose to the rank of captain and served as chair of the Carnival Committee and as a training officer.

Mitchell also helped build and welcome the department's first ladder truck in 1996.

He is credited with modernizing fire training in Orange and the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Officials said calling hours will be Monday evening and the funeral will be on Tuesday.