ABOUT JESSE

     Firefighter Jesse Gerhard was the youngest son of Bruce and Lynn Gerhard and the brother of Casey. He was and still is a beloved uncle to Bradley and Kylie Gerhard and brother-in-law to Kristi Gerhard.
     Jesse wanted to be a firefighter ever since he was three years old. There was never a Plan B. Jesse born and raised in Islip got the opportunity to work as a firefighter in 2010 when he joined the Islip Fire Department, which quickly became his second family. While serving there, he was also an avid member of the Islip Fire Department racing team, the WOLVES. Jesse later joined the FDNY as an emergency medical technician in July 2015. He was first assigned to Station 10 in Manhattan and then to Station 47 in Far Rockaway. He then entered the Fire Academy in December 2017, and after graduating in April of 2018, he was assigned to Engine Company 264 in Far Rockaway. Jesse Joined "The Big House," where he finally realized his life-long dream of becoming a FDNY firefighter. In March 2020, he transferred to Ladder Company 134, located the same firehouse.
     On February 16th, 2022, Jesse Gerhard passed away after suffering a medical episode that resulted from battling a house fire in Queens the day before. We will continue to celebrate Jesse's life. Jesse's goal in life was to leave both people and places better than they were when he got there. Raising money for The Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation will help keeps Jesse helping others. The FDNY and Islip Fire Department will forever be Jesse's family as well, and we will continue to work to help those who are in need in Jesse's honor.