MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA ANNOUNCED ON NOV. 23 THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT J. RYAN JR., 46, OF ENGINE COMPANY 155.

The lieutenant was fatally injured while operating at a second-alarm fire at 39 Van Buren St. in the New Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island. He was transported to Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire at the two-story private dwelling at 12:28 a.m. Engine 155 was the first unit on scene, arriving at 12:32 a.m., battling the fire until it was brought under control at 1:31 a.m.

Lt. Ryan was assigned to Engine 155 for more than two years. He was previously assigned to Engines 228, 280 and 282 in Brooklyn; Engine 6 and Battalion 4 in Manhattan; and Battalion 22 in Staten Island. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in March 2001.

He was known as a dedicated 17-year veteran of the FDNY, who beat all odds and battled back after receiving second and third degree burns in a Brooklyn fire on Oct. 3, 2007. He spent eight days at the Staten Island University Hospital Burn Center and nearly a year in rehabilitation before he was able to return to the job on Sept. 26, 2007.

Lieutenant Ryan, a lifelong Staten Island resident, is survived by his wife, Kathleen; a son, Chris, 17; a daughter, Kayla, 12; a stepson, Alex, 10; and a stepdaughter, Emma, 8.

This is the third time this year the FDNY has suffered a line-of-duty tragedy. On January 3, Lt. John Martinson of Engine 249 sustained fatal injuries while battling a two-alarm fire in Brooklyn; and Probationary Firefighter Jamel Sears died on Nov. 11, the day after he collapsed at the Fire Academy.

Funeral arrangements for Lt. Robert J. Ryan, Jr.