‘Firefighting was in his blood’: FDNY mourns Brooklyn firefighter who died battling rooftop blaze

A Brooklyn firefighter died on Saturday night after suffering a cardiac arrest while battling a blaze on an apartment rooftop.

According to FDNY officials, 42-year-old Patrick Brady, an 11-year veteran of the department assigned to Ladder Company 120 in Brownsville, was on the roof of an all-hands fire at 9407 Kings Hwy. at around 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 8 when he suffered a medical episode.

Fellow firefighters pulled him to safety, and EMS rushed him to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Cardiac arrest was cited as the official cause of death.

Mayor Eric Adams noted that Brady “came from a family of firefighters — all dedicated to protecting the lives of their fellow New Yorkers.” His two brothers, Jimmy and Brian, are firefighters; a number of his cousins and uncles are also part of the Brady family’s firefighting legacy. 

“Firefighter Patrick Brady gave his life protecting the city we all love; there is no sacrifice that is more selfless than the actions that took place this evening,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “I would like to express my deepest sympathy to his wife, Kara, and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said all of New York’s bravest are “heartbroken” over the latest loss.

“The entire FDNY is heartbroken over the loss of Firefighter Patrick Brady. Firefighter Brady was a dedicated public servant, and firefighting was in his blood. We are thinking of his family, friends, and fellow members as we join them in mourning this immense loss,” said Tucker.

The FDNY stated that Brady became a firefighter on July 14, 2014, and was assigned to Engine Company 227 in Brooklyn. In 2022, he transferred to Ladder 120, where he remained until his death.

Brady’s death marks the second in the line of duty the FDNY has seen in as many weeks. Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman perished on Oct. 29 after finishing a shift at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island.

“This is a very sad day for the New York City Fire Department and the City of New York. Our firefighters are out there day and night protecting the people of the city, Patrick Brady was one of them and he was an outstanding firefighter,” FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said from the hospital late Saturday. “Please pray for Patrick Brady’s family.”

On Sunday morning, the Ladder 120 station house held a solemn ceremony in celebration of Brady’s life, featuring a bunting ceremony —a tradition in which purple-and-black bunting is hung on the firehouse to mourn their loss. Fellow firefighters could be seen embracing and weeping as the ceremony unfolded. Lieutenant Scott Coyne knew Brady well, even before Brady began working at Ladder 120.

“You could see how well he filled up a room,” Coyne said. “I was also fortunate enough to then recruit him when he came and transferred here to Watkins Ladder 120, and once again, come back and work alongside him as a supervisor. He was one of the greatest. He did what you needed done before you even asked. He took care of those who were now younger than him.”

Firefighter Jake Touhey said he had known Brady for almost two decades and broke down in tears while speaking of his friend.

“I had the privilege of knowing Pat for about the last 18 years,” Touhey said. “His love for this firehouse only came second to his love for his wife, Kara.”

Meanwhile, first responder nonprofit Answer the Call announced on Sunday that it will provide immediate support to Brady’s widow, pledging to donate $65,000, along with a future donation of $50,000. The organization states that its goal is to support Kara throughout the rest of her life.

“Answer the Call is heartbroken by the loss of Firefighter Patrick Brady, who had served the FDNY for over a decade and had dedicated his life to serving others,” Lauren Profeta, executive director of Answer the Call, said. “Our hearts go out to his family and the entire FDNY during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

With reporting by Lloyd Mitchell

This story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site AMNY

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