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Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta Announces Death of Probationary Firefighter Jamel M. Sears

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta Announces Death of Probationary Firefighter Jamel M. Sears

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced that Probationary Firefighter Jamel M. Sears died at Mt. Sinai Medical Center on November 11, where he was taken after falling unconscious following completion of a training exercise at the Department’s training academy located at Randall’s Island on November 10.

Probationary Firefighter Sears, 33, was appointed to the FDNY on July 1, 2008, and was enrolled in the 23-week Probationary Firefighters Training Program. He fell unconscious at about 11:30 a.m., while training at the Academy. Firefighters on scene tried to revive him but he never regained consciousness.

Probationary Firefighter Sears, a lifelong Bronx resident, was a four-year U.S. Navy veteran (1995-1999) and served aboard the USS Alaska. He also worked at TD Waterhouse as a customer rep and at Keyspan Energy as an operating mechanic prior to joining the FDNY. He graduated from All Hallows High School and attended Bronx Community College before enlisting in the Navy.

He is survived by his wife, Sherita, a New York City Police Officer assigned to the 41st Precinct in the Bronx, and their two children, son Mahlek, 12, and daughter Jya, 8.

Funeral arrangements are pending.