By FireRescue1 Staff
NEW YORK — An assistant fire chief who helped lead rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero died Saturday of 9/11-related cancer.
NY Daily News reported that FDNY Assistant Chief Ronald Spadafora, 63, died from cancer that was caused by toxins he was exposed to at Ground Zero, according to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
Nigro said Spadafora, a 40-year veteran, was the World Trade Center Chief of Safety for recovery operations.
https://twitter.com/NYCFireWire/status/1010558616066318336
“In his extraordinary career, he fought fires in all five boroughs, improved training for every FDNY member, and as the chief of fire prevention for the last eight years, Ron’s dedication and leadership led to greater safety and protection for millions of New Yorkers,” Nigro said.
“For forty years, FDNY Chief Ronald R. Spadafora’s courage saved countless lives,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and the FDNY.”