MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG AND COMMISSIONER SCOPPETTA ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT J. RYAN JR.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced that Lieutenant Robert J. Ryan Jr. of Staten Island died today at Richmond University Medical Center of Staten Island, where he was taken early this morning after he sustained injuries while operating at a 2nd Alarm fire at 39 Van Buren St., in the New Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island.

Lieutenant Ryan, 46, was assigned to Engine 155 for over two years. He was a veteran of the department for more than 17 years, appointed to the FDNY on April 14, 1991. He was previously assigned to Engines 228, 280 and 282 in Brooklyn, Engine 6 in Manhattan, the 4th Battalion in Manhattan and the 22nd Battalion in Staten Island. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in March 2001.

Lieutenant Ryan was on duty when Engine 155 was called to the scene of a fire at a two-story private residence at 39 Van Buren St. in Staten Island at 12:28 a.m. today. Engine 155 was the first unit on scene, arriving at 12:32 a.m. The fire was brought under control at 1:31 a.m.

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.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Press Contact: Francis X. Gribbon & Steve Ritea (FDNY) (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny