This undated photo provided by the New York City Fire Department shows New York City Fire Department Lieutenant Richard Nappi. Nappi, 47, a 17-year veteran of the FDNY, collapsed while fighting a large warehouse fire in the Brooklyn. He died after being transported to the hospital. (AP Photo/FDNY)
Fire companies in New York City and on Long Island are mourning a lieutenant who collapsed and died during a Brooklyn warehouse blaze.
Richard Nappi was the first city firefighter to die in the line of duty in three years. He also was a 9/11 responder.
In a statement Monday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised Nappi’s valor on September 11, 2001 as part of what he did his entire career.
“On the morning of September 11th, ’01, the FDNY’s — and New York City’s — most tragic day, Lieutenant Nappi was assigned to Engine 7 on Duane Street in Lower Manhattan, where he responded with valor to the World Trade Center attacks,” Bloomberg said. “In the days that followed, he helped save and rebuild our city in ways that all New Yorkers — in fact, people all over the world — understand. But his role in saving and rebuilding New York City every day over his entire 17-year career at the FDNY is far less understood, and that’s what I wanted to honor for a few minutes here today.”
Bloomberg then explained that the past 10 years have been the safest decade ever in the city, in terms of fire deaths, and Nappi was part of the firefighting force responsible for that success.
Today, Nappi was being honored at Engine 237 in Bushwick.
On Long Island, Farmingville fire headquarters was draped with black and purple bunting.
An electronic sign said: “We are mourning the line-of-duty passing of FFD Member and FDNY Lt. Richard Nappi.”
View full sizeFirefighters walk alongside a warehouse in Brooklyn where 17-year veteran firefighter Lt. Richard Nappi was killed while battling a blaze Monday. Nappi, who had responded to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, was the first city firefighter to die in the line of duty in three years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
About two miles away, cars packed the small circular driveway of Nappi’s home, in a suburban subdivision.
Neighbors and colleagues declined to comment at the family’s request.
Survivors include Nappi’s wife, 12-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.
