Mayor and Fire Commissioner Announce the Death of Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy
September 27, 2016
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro today announced the death of Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy of Battalion 19, a 17-year-veteran of the FDNY who died from injuries sustained at an explosion in the Kingsbridge section in the Bronx, early this morning.
“Our entire city is deeply saddened by the passing of a true hero - Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy," said Mayor de Blasio. "He was an outstanding firefighter, a devoted father of three and he came from a family who exemplified what it means to bravely serve others. His sacrifice is yet another example of the courage and commitment that defines each member of the FDNY."
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“Today is a sad day for the entire FDNY family. We lost a rising star in our Department, a Chief who exuded leadership and inspired confidence in the members in his command," said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. "Chief Fahy bravely served the city for 17 years, following in the footsteps of his father, Thomas J. Fahy, also a Battalion Chief. His death is a painful reminder of the sacrifice our job all too often demands."
Chief Fahy responded at 6:22 a.m. this morning along with several fire units to calls reporting a gas odor at the intersection of West 234th Street and Irwin Avenue. Chief Fahy, serving as Incident Commander, ordered fire units to search for the source of the gas odor, and to evacuate possible endangered occupants of homes in the vicinity of the odor. Units determined the gas was emanating from 304 West 234th Street and, at about 7:30 a.m., an explosion occurred on the top floor of the house. Chief Fahy was struck and fatally injured by falling debris. He was transported to New York-Presbyterian-the Allen Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Chief Fahy was appointed as a firefighter in August of 1999 and was assigned to Engine Company 35 in Harlem where he worked for five years before transferring to Ladder 14, located in the same firehouse. In 2004, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Battalion 3 in the Bronx, before being assigned to Engine 83 in the South Bronx. Upon his promotion to Captain in 2007, he was transferred to Division 1 in lower Manhattan, where he worked in multiple fire companies. After being promoted to Battalion Chief, he first worked in Battalion 20 in the Bronx before transferring to Battalion 19.
Chief Fahy’s father, Thomas J. Fahy, served 33 years in the FDNY before retiring as Battalion Chief in November of 2001.
Fahy is the 1,145th Firefighter to die in the line of duty since the FDNY’s founding in 1865. The last member of the Department to die on duty was Lieutenant Gordan M. Ambelas of Ladder 119 on July 5, 2014.
Chief Fahy, who lived in Yonkers, is survived by his wife, Fiona, and their three children.