Photo Courtesy of FDNY
Firefighter Jesse Gerhard
By Forum Staff
A veteran City firefighter suffered a medical episode while on-duty in his firehouse—Ladder Co. 134 in Far Rockaway—and was transported to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital where he later died last Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams and Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh announced.
Firefighter Jesse Gerhard, 33, had operated extensively at a 2-alarm fire in Far Rockaway the previous day, FDNY officials noted.
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 4:05 p.m., Gerhard responded to a fire at 25-43 Beach Channel Dr. along with his fellow members of Ladder Co. 134. As the first arriving ladder company, they were charged with searching for any trapped occupants inside the three-story private dwelling, which was fully engulfed in flames on all three floors and in the basement. Gerhard was assigned to the “irons” position, meaning he was responsible for gaining entry to the building by forcing open the door so that firefighters could enter to fight the fire and join him in searching for those that may have been trapped. The fire was brought under control at 5:49 p.m. There were four minor injuries to civilians. The cause of the fire is under investigation by fire marshals.
Photo Courtesy of FDNY
Gerhard had operated extensively at a 2-alarm fire in Far Rockaway the day before he died.
Shortly before 11 p.m. the next day, on Wednesday, Feb. 16, Gerhard was on-duty at his firehouse in Far Rockaway when he suffered a medical episode. The members of his firehouse immediately provided emergency medical care and he was then rushed to the hospital where he later died.
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 Co. 264 in Far Rockaway. In March 2020, he transferred to Ladder Co. 134, located in the same firehouse as Engine Co. 264 in Far Rockaway. He was honored for bravery once in his career.
Gerhard is the 1,156th member of the FDNY to die in the line-of-duty. A resident of Long Beach, he is survived by his parents, his brother, and sister-in-law.
“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,” Kavanagh said. “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.”
