Davidson, 37, a father-of-four and a 15-year veteran of the FDNY, died on Thursday
The Fire Department of New York lined the streets during the wake for a fallen hero and colleague who died tackling a blaze on a movie set.
Michael Davidson, 37, died in the line of duty on Thursday after suffering critical injuries as he battled a fire that broke out on the Harlem set of a film starring Edward Norton and Bruce Willis.
His life was celebrated during a wake in Floral Park, New York, on Sunday afternooon.
His wife Eileen and colleagues were spotted lining the streets in honor of the fallen firefighter.
Another wake is planned for Monday and his funeral is scheduled on Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown.
Colleagues have been sharing pictures of the 15-year veteran firefighter and the family he leaves behind: Eileen, and their four children; Brooke, seven; Joseph, six; Emily, three; and Amy, one.
Davidson’s wife, Eileen, was pictured attending the fallen firefighters wake on Sunday in Floral Park, New York
Firefighters lined the street to celebrate the Davidson who served worked with them for 15 years. Davidson died on Thursday after he fought on Edward Norton’s film set in Harlem
Another wake for the fallen hero is scheduled for Monday and his funeral will take place on Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown
Davidson’s colleagues mourned and celebrated his life on Instagram after he died from his injuries on Thursday
Alongside the pictures posted to Instagram, those who worked with Davidson told of the men who they knew as a leader who was always the first to run into a dangerous situation while holding a nozzle to try to save lives.
‘Mike was on the Lieutenant list and he would have made a terrific Lieutenant. He could take charge, he could take direction, he had all the qualities that would make a good officer,’ said Captain Robert Allen, a 34-year veteran of the FDNY who served with Davidson at Engine Company 69.
Davidson has been posthumously promoted to Lieutenant.
Allen also worked with Davidson’s father Bobby and met him as a young boy already hanging out at the fire station.
Firefighting was the family business, with Bobby serving 26 years mostly at the same station as his son, and Davidson’s brother Eric being an 11-year veteran at Engine Company 88 in the Bronx.
Davidson has been posthumously promoted to Lieutenant. Pictured is his wife, Eileen, attending his wake on Sunday afternoon
The hero firefighter is survived by his wife wife Eileen, and their four children; Brooke, seven; Joseph, six; Emily, three; and Amy, one (not pictured)
Davidson’s colleagues have taken to social media to honor the man they knew as a leader
‘It was nice to watch a friend’s son following in his father’s footsteps,’ Allan added.
Lt Ray McCormack, on his part, spoke of Davidson as a man who never stopped until getting the job done. He recalled a difficult three-alarm fire in 2005 in which Davidson continued to fight the fire even after sustaining burn injuries to both hands.
The team’s bravery during that fire were awarded a citation for their heroic actions, but to McCormack, the credit that day was all Davidson’s.
He said: ‘What [Davidson] was able to do that night was amazing. He made the rest of us look great, we all got his credit that night because he did such a good job.
‘He didn’t stop. Where some people might back up and start again, Mike didn’t stop. There was no stopping him. Room after room of fire, where some may stop and back up and try again, he just kept going.’
Actor Edward Norton, who was on the scene of the fire, has also honored Davidson and vowed to support his family.
‘Mike didn’t stop. There was no stopping him. Room after room of fire, where some may stop and back up and try again, he just kept going,’ said Lt Ray McCormack
One of Davidson’s fellow firefighters recalled watching him grow up at the fire station where his father Bobby worked for 25 years – the same station Davidson would go on to work at
Davidson, who had been previously honored with citations for heroic actions, has been posthumously promoted to Lieutenant
Actor Edward Norton, who was on scene at the fire, has also honored the firefighter
‘I have never witnessed firsthand that kind of bravery. I’m in awe of that kind of selfless courage. It’s devastating to contemplate that one of the men we watched charging in there lost his life. Please send a prayer of thanks for the spirit and courage of Michael Davidson,’ he wrote on Instagram on Saturday.
While the actor first vowed to establish a way to support Davidson’s family through this difficult time, he later learned the NYPD Foundation has already set up a scholarship fund for the hero’s four children.
Norton also fact-checked some reports that the fire started in the set of his movie, saying it ‘actually appears to have started in the basement cellar of the building we were working in.
Norton vowed to help Davidson’s family through the difficult time in any way he can and asked his followers to donate to his children’s education fund, set up by the FDNY
The actor also clarified that, despite reports, he wasn’t the first to spot the fire and alert others
He also clarified that, despite reports, he was not the one who smelled smoke and raised the alarm about the fire. He said he was actually outside of the building setting up a shot at the time and it was an assistant director who first realized something was wrong.
‘I cannot praise the professionalism of our crew highly enough. Had our team not noticed the situation and responded and alerted the fire department with the speed they did, I believe the residents of the building above would have perished,’ he added.
You can donate to Davidson’s family by visiting www.fdnyfoundation.org/donate/ and selecting ‘Firefighter Michael Davidson’s Children’s Educational Fund’ from the drop-down menu.