Beloved Virgin Islands Fire/EMS Director Mourned

Oct. 25—Virgin Islanders are grieving the sudden loss of Daryl George Sr., director of the V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

The department issued a statement on Saturday, notifying the community that George had been hospitalized after a medical emergency, and asking for privacy for George's family. He died on Tuesday.

News of George's death spread quickly on social media, and government officials shared condolences for the beloved and dedicated public servant affectionately known as "Mousy."

"It is with a profound sense of grief and loss that we announce the untimely passing of a dedicated public servant and cherished member of my Cabinet, Daryl A. 'Mousy' George Sr., director of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services," Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said in a statement.

"Mousy's sudden and unexpected departure from this world leaves a void that is truly difficult to grasp. I have known him since our childhood, and the news of his passing is a heavy blow to me personally, as well as to the entire Virgin Islands community," Bryan said.

He added that "Mousy was more than just a member of my Cabinet; he was family. His unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our people was nothing short of remarkable. As a firefighter and first responder, he dedicated his life to protecting others, often risking his own safety to ensure the security of our community."

Stephen DeBlasio Sr., assistant director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, worked alongside George during the most recent fire at the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas.

George served as incident commander for the fire, which was first reported on Sept. 14, in a section of the landfill where debris had been stored since the 2017 hurricanes. Firefighters battled the inferno for weeks, and heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Philippe finally helped extinguish the fire on Oct. 6.

"He did an outstanding job managing the operation and coordinating with the other elements such as the Waste Management Authority," DeBlasio said Tuesday. "It was a monumental effort, and he rose to the occasion and did the right thing by it and got it done."

George worked alongside firefighters at the scene, and "he was very much intrinsically involved in the operations throughout," DeBlasio said.

DeBlasio also shared a statement on behalf of VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen, saying that "our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family, and we'll keep them in our prayers and our thoughts in VITEMA."

Calvert White, commissioner of the Sports, Parks, and Recreation Department, worked closely with George over the years.

"Director George believed in serving his community. He was one of those co-workers I would always reach out to if I needed assistance. I can't remember a time when he ever told me 'NO,'" White said in a message to The Daily News because he was too sad to talk. "Our personalities automatically drew us close to each other. Ironically, he would always sit next to me during Cabinet meetings and it would be jokes from beginning to end."

White said he referred to George as "Jorge," which "is Spanish for George, my Spanish name for him because he would always wear these exotic shirts."

"He loved life and that's the person I'm going to remember. He has left a big void in my working career and moving forward Cabinet meetings will never be the same without him, but more important, I lost a true friend," White said. "RIP Jorge."

A veteran firefighter with over 20 years of experience, George led the Fire Service since 2019.

A former assistant director of the V.I. Fire Service, George served as a former special assistant to the director of the Fire Service, and as the program coordinator of the Junior Fighter Corps from 1997 through 2014 during the administration of John deJongh Jr.

Upon taking office in January 2019, Bryan nominated George to head the Fire Service, which in July 2022 merged with the Emergency Medical Services division that originally operated under the V.I. Health Department.

"One of his most enduring legacies was his tireless advocacy for the merger of the Virgin Islands Fire Service with the Virgin Islands Emergency Medical Services to create VIFEMS. Under his steadfast leadership, VIFEMS became a model of efficiency, responsiveness, and care. His dedication and relentless passion for this cause demonstrated his vision for a safer and stronger Virgin Islands," Bryan said.

Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. said in a statement that George's passing, "is a huge loss to the public safety and first responders' community. The entire territory has benefited from his leadership, vision and advocacy."

Francis worked with George to integrate the Fire and EMS into one agency, and accomplishing the merger was George's "life work. He never wavered in his conviction that the creation of VIFEMS was the right and best choice in our mission to provide comprehensive emergency services to the territory's residents and visitors. I am thankful that he was able to see his vision successfully become a reality," Francis said.

Sen. Dwayne DeGraff also shared his condolences for George, "a fellow Savanero and friend. He was a dedicated public servant, who took his role as leader of the VIFEMS seriously."

DeGraff said in a statement that, "George's legacy will live on through the many contributions he has made and the many lives he has impacted. May he rest in peace."

Sen. Kenneth Gittens also shared his "profound sorrow," after hearing of George's death.

"We have a long history with both our first responder backgrounds. We didn't always see eye to eye but we've been able to work together on a number of projects for the improvement of life across the territory," Gittens said in a statement. "I applaud his dedication and his passion as he led in varying capacities over the years. His sudden and untimely death has shocked our community. His loss is a great one."

"There are no words that will lessen the grief and sadness we all feel today, especially those felt by his family, friends, the men and women of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services and his fellow Cabinet members," Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory said in a statement. "However, may we all be comforted in knowing that Daryl George was a good man who lived a good life and gave of himself to make our community better."

At-Large Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. described George as "not only a dedicated professional but also a paragon of kindness, unwavering integrity, and dedication to his profession," according to a statement.

"We mourn the sudden loss of Director Daryl George, a remarkable figure in our community. His untimely departure leaves a void that resonates deeply within the Virgin Islands Fire Emergency Medical Services and our territory at large," Bolques said.

Bryan, in his statement, said "Our hearts go out to Director George's family during this time of immense sorrow. We offer our deepest condolences, particularly to his children, who have lost a loving father and a true role model. We also extend our heartfelt sympathies to the wide circle of friends who have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Director George," Bryan said in the Government House statement.

"To the members of the VIFEMS family, we understand that you have lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend. His influence will remain in the fabric of the organization, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the service of our people," he said.

Bryan added that, "In honor of Director George's life and his extraordinary service to the Virgin Islands, I have immediately ordered that flags throughout the territory be flown at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, October 25. This is a small yet significant gesture to remember and pay tribute to a life that touched so many."

— Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email [email protected].

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