New York City officials announced the death of Firefighter Jesse Gerhard, 33, a seven-year veteran of the department who passed from a medical episode while on-duty.
On Wednesday, February 16, Gerhard suffered a medical episode while on-duty in his firehouse – Ladder Company 134 in Far Rockaway, Queens, FDNY said in a Facebook post. Gerhard worked extensively at a two-alarm fire in Far Rockaway the previous day.
“Firefighter Jesse Gerhard dreamed of being a firefighter his entire life; and he lived that dream, bravely serving the residents of Queens by battling fires and rescuing New Yorkers from harm,” said Mayor Adams.
“As a Firefighter and an EMT, Jesse Gerhard served our city with incredible courage and valor, always rushing into danger and risking his life to save others,” said Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.
Gerhard was appointed to the FDNY as an emergency medical technician in July 2014 and was first assigned to Station 10 in Manhattan and later served at Station 47 in Far Rockaway.
He entered the Fire Academy in December 2017 and, after graduating in April 2018, was first assigned as a firefighter to Engine Company 264 in Far Rockaway. In March 2020, he transferred to Ladder Company 134, located in the same firehouse as Engine Company 264 in Far Rockaway. He was honored for bravery once in his career.
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