FDNY firefighter, 54, dies from a heart attack after a 24-hour shift in which he was called out to seven emergencies and a kitchen fire
- A New York City fire lieutenant died from a heart attack after going home from a 24-hour tour of duty
- Lieutenant Brian J. Sullivan, 54, died in the hours following the day-long shift
- Sullivan told fellow firefighters he was feeling pain during his shift on Thursday
- Nevertheless, he kept responding to emergency calls, including a kitchen fire
- He fell ill on Friday evening at his home and died Saturday in hospital
- Twenty-four hour tours aren’t uncommon for New York firefighters, as many schedule their shifts back-to-back
- Sullivan is the 1,153rd member of the FDNY to die as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty
An FDNY lieutenant has died after suffering a fatal heart attack in what fire officials are treating as a line-of-duty death.
Lt. Brian J. Sullivan, 54, of Squad Company 41 in the Bronx suffered a heart attack at his home in Monroe, Orange County, after completing a 24-hour shift.
Sullivan, who was a member of the FDNY’s elite Special Operations Command, had been with the department for almost three decades.
Lieutenant Brian J. Sullivan, 54, died from a heart attack following a 24-hour shift
Sullivan told fellow firefighters he was feeling pain during his shift on Thursday but he still kept responding to emergency calls, including a kitchen fire. Pictured, colleagues pay respects
Fellow firefighters took the time to stand outside the firehouse to mourn their fallen colleague
‘This is a tragic loss for the Fire Department and for the City of New York. Brian Sullivan was a dedicated Firefighter who put himself in harm’s way for 27 years to protect the lives of others,’ Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.
‘Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife Irene, and two daughters Nicole and Samantha.’
FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said, ‘Lieutenant Sullivan was a veteran fire officer and a dedicated member of our elite Special Operations Command who bravely served the Department for nearly three decades.
‘This is a tragic loss for the FDNY for New York. Brian Sullivan was a dedicated Firefighter who put himself in harm’s way for 27 years to protect the lives of others,’ Mayor Bill de Blasio said
He is the 1,153rd member of the FDNY to die as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty
Sullivan, who was a member of the FDNY’s elite Special Operations Command, had been with the department for almost three decades. A makeshift memorial was setup to remember him
Twenty-four hour tours aren’t uncommon for New York firefighters, as many schedule their shifts back-to-back. Engine 41 in the Bronx is pictured
‘The city and the entire Department mourn the loss of this brave individual who spent his career protecting life and property and rescuing others from harm.’
Sullivan’s last tour on Thursday night was a busy one with seven emergencies and a kitchen fire in the Bronx.
Throughout the shift Sullivan was complaining to his colleagues of chest pain.
After the heart attack, he was rushed to the Orange County Medical Center, where he died just after midnight on Saturday.
Sullivan was the 1,153rd line-of-duty death for the FDNY, the department said.
He leaves behind his wife Irene, and two daughters, Nicole, 22, and Samantha, 17.
Twenty-four hour tours aren’t uncommon for New York firefighters, as many schedule their shifts back-to-back.