EMT Worker Who Was a 911 First Responder in NYC Has Died of Coronavirus

New York, NY —  Gregory Hodge, a 59-year old EMT worker from New York City, has died after testing positive for the coronavirus according to the city’s fire department. The FDNY is mourning the loss of the 24-year veteran at the department while remembering him for his outstanding service.

“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,” FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement.

Hodge, who is a resident of Manhattan, started his career in Station 16 in Harlem before working at Station 55 in the Bronx. He worked in the rescue and recovery operations at ground zero after the September 11 terror attacks at the World Trade Center.

In October 2016, he was assigned to New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) where he served as a Watch Commander, responsible for monitoring citywide radio frequencies, local, national and international media and weather forecasts, as part of the unit’s 24/7 emergency management operation.

Nigro said the entire department is mourning the death of their fellow worker.

“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.”