New York City Fire Department

The FDNY continues to mourn two line-of-duty deaths: Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman died Oct. 29 after finishing a shift at the Fire Academy. Firefighter Patrick D. Brady died Nov. 8 after suffering a medical episode while operating at an all-hands fire in Brooklyn. Here's more from the November edition of MyFDNY News:

This Thursday, we join the American Cancer Society in the Great American Smokeout, a national reminder to quit smoking! Quitting immediately lowers your risk of disease and cancer. Please, take action today and save your life! 

Firefighter Derrick Henderson moved to East New York from California just before high school to take care of his sick grandmother. Just a day before he started at the Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety, his father died. The death of his father and a number of other challenges made focusing on his future difficult. He had plans to drop out but credits the staff at the high school for inspiring him to follow his dreams.   In 2012, he became an FDNY EMT. He continues to serve his City as a Firefighter at Engine 26 in Midtown.    On Tuesday, Robin Hood honored Derrick as part of its 2025 Robin Hood Heroes Breakfast. 

On Tuesday, the FDNY held its first ‘Control the Bleed’ training in Brownsville. This initiative equips everyday New Yorkers with the skills they need if faced with life-threatening bleeding. Knowing what to do at a moment’s notice could mean the difference between life and death. Please visit FDNYSmart.org to schedule a presentation and training.

The City has issued a Code Blue effective from 4pm Monday until 8am Tuesday. As temperatures drop, we remind New Yorkers to be safe while using space heaters. -Plug space heaters directly into the wall outlet.  -Never plug them into power strips or extension cords as they can overheat and start a fire. -Only one appliance should be plugged into an outlet at a time.  -Keep a space heater at least three feet away from combustibles.  -Turn off when you leave a room or go to bed. For more safety tips, visit FDNYSmart.org.

Friends, family and thousands of FDNY members gathered to say their final goodbyes to Lieutenant Patrick D. Brady. Brady spent 11 years with our great Department and died while helping to save others. Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker posthumously promoted Brady at his funeral Saturday. Lieutenant Brady was operating on the roof of an all-hands fire at 9407 Kings Highway in Brooklyn when he suffered a medical episode and went into cardiac arrest. He was immediately treated by fellow FDNY Firefighters and FDNY EMS. He was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he died. We will never forget Lieutenant Patrick Brady. 

Overloading extension cords is dangerous and deadly!   We urge New Yorkers to follow electrical safety measures, including:   NEVER overload extension cords.    DO NOT use extension cords permanently. They are only for temporary use.    DO NOT use extension cords to plug in large appliances.    For more safety tips, visit FDNYSmart.org.

Firefighter Brady died in the line-of-duty on Saturday, November 8th while fighting a fire in Brooklyn. Firefighter Brady’s funeral arrangements are as follows: WHERE: Church of St. Francis de Sales 129-16 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Belle Harbor, NY 11694 WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2025 – 11:00 a.m. NOTE: The funeral will be streamed live on the FDNY website, www.nyc.gov/FDNY.

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced the line of duty death of Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman. The 46-year-old died on Wednesday, October 29th, following his shift at the FDNY Fire Academy at Randall’s Island.    “The FDNY is mourning the loss of Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman, a dedicated Paramedic who served the people of New York for more than two decades,” said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. “He touched the lives of so many EMTs and Paramedics, and the many whose lives he saved."   Paramedic Abdur Rahman joined the Department on October 18, 2002. He was promoted to Paramedic in 2021 and was assigned to the FDNY Training Academy at Randall’s Island at the time of his death.    He is survived by his wife and three daughters. Funeral arrangements are pending.

“They saved my life. Because of them, I'm still here. My two-year-old has a dad. My wife has a husband. I just needed to meet these people that gave me a second lease on life,” said Robert Sevalrud. On October 7th, Sevalrud was jogging along the West Side Highway when he went into cardiac arrest. Bystanders immediately began CPR and called 911. They ran to the quarters of Marine 1, whose members rushed over and continued treatment. EMTs arrived and quickly administered the defibrillator, which restored a pulse. Paramedics on scene stabilized the patient and transported him to Bellevue Hospital. He was discharged and went home to his family. On Wednesday, he surprised the members who helped save his life with a visit at EMS Station 7. We are so grateful Sevalrud is healthy and we are so proud of our members who always help save lives at a moment’s notice.