Thursday, October 1, 2026
Jesse Gerhard spent his younger years dreaming of becoming a full-time firefighter, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who was a fire captain in Queens.
He volunteered in 2009 with the fire department in Islip, where he was raised and where his family lives. Eight years later, he fulfilled his dream when he was appointed a probationary firefighter. He had worked as an emergency medical technician beginning in July 2014.
Gerhard entered the New York City Fire Academy in 2017 and was later assigned to Station 10 in Manhattan and Station 47 in Far Rockaway, Queens.
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Gerhard, 33, died doing what he spent his professional life preparing for fighting fires to save lives.
The NYFD said Gerhard had suffered “a medical episode” fighting a two-alarm blaze at a house fire in Far Rockaway. He had been working with Ladder 134 in Far Rockaway. Officials said he'd been previously honored for bravery.
Gerhard had recently moved to Long Beach, the FDNY said. No other details were provided.
"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 in a statement. "Our entire department is in mourning over the tragic death of this extraordinary young man who always answered the call and never wavered in his sworn duty to save others."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also issued a statement: "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. The heartbreaking loss of this brave young man who was so committed to saving others is a painful reminder of the dangerous and difficult work New York City Firefighters do every single day."
Gerhard’s father, Bruce Gerhard, of Islip, told local television reporters that he felt “numb.”
“It's just like out of the blue, how could you think something like this could happen? You know it's always inevitable and never think it could happen to your kid," Gerhard said.
"All he wanted to be was a fireman. His life was a fireman, and all his friends were firemen, and he lived in Long Beach with all the firemen. He was a good kid. A really good kid."
At the volunteer firehouse in Islip, purple and blue bunting was spread across the building. A bouquet of flowers and a condolence card were placed next to Gerhard’s fire helmet and jacket.
