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An FDNY EMT who was part of the 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts has died from the coronavirus, the department's fifth reported fatality from the virus.
Gregory Hodge, 59, was a 24-year FDNY veteran, and in October 2016, he was assigned to New York Emergency Management as watch commander, the department said in an online update. In that capacity, he monitored citywide radio frequencies, weather forecasts and local, national and international media reports as part of the unit’s emergency management operation.
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Hodge, who resided in Manhattan, started his FDNY career at Harlem's Station 16. He then was assigned at Station 55 in the Bronx.
“EMT Hodge was a skilled first responder who provided outstanding emergency medical care to thousands of New Yorkers throughout his long and distinguished career of service,” said Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said in a statement. "This pandemic has impacted our Department at every level, especially our EMS members who are responding to more medical calls than ever before. Now, they will continue to bravely answer those calls with even heavier hearts, having lost one of their fellow EMTs to COVID-19. Our entire Department mourns his loss.”
The EMT wasn't actively working on an ambulance at the time of his death and is survived by an adult son, WNBC-TV reports.
Hodge is the fifth FDNY member to die from the coronavirus. Other FDNY COVID-19 fatalities include two fire inspectors, a mechanic and Kellie Childs, director of the Cashiers’ Unit in the department's Bureau of Revenue Management where she supervised the collection of customer payments for fire prevention licenses and certifications.
