FDNY’s Brian E. O’Flaherty

Retired Battalion Chief Brian E. O’Flaherty, passed away on December 3, 2022. He was 81.

Brian joined the FDNYand was assigned to Ladder 105 in Brooklyn after serving his country in the US Navy. After being promoted to Lieutenant he was assigned to Ladder 102. Promoted to Captain, he would be given command of Rescue 1 in Manhattan and was in command of the company for 12 years. He was instrumental in the re-building of the 43rd Street firehouse after it was destroyed by fire in 1985. He also helped Ray Downey and others as the FDNY formed Special Operations Command. Brian also served as the captain’s rep in the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Brian was promoted to Battalion Chief and was assigned to the 9th Battalion, and later to the Safety Battalion. Brian was working in the Marriot Hotel command post on 9/11 when the South Tower collapsed, seriously injuring him.

Afuneral was held on December 9, 2022, at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Karin, his four children Kristin (Robert), Kerry (Joe), Tara and Tim and his four grandchildren, Tessa, Theo, Emmy and Natalie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made in Brian’s memory to: New York Fire Fighter Burn Center https://www.nyffburncenter.com/Donate. aspx; Waterfront Warriors https://longbeachwaterfrontwarriors.org/giving; or Fire Family Transport http://firefamilytransport.org/donate.html.

- Fire News photos by Brian Grogan