A New Haven firefighter has died following a battle with cancer, city officials said.
Christopher Brainard of the New Haven Fire Department died this week, according to the Mayor’s Office. He was 36 years old.
Brainard was appointed to the fire department on July 24, 2015, the Mayor’s Office said.
“He proudly served as the driver of Truck Company 2 based in the Hill section of the city — an assignment he embraced and performed with distinction over his 10 years of service at the department,” the Mayor’s Office wrote in a statement.
“The passing of Firefighter Brainard is a heartbreaking and tragic loss for the city of New Haven and the New Haven Fire Department — especially for his fellow firefighters at the Hill Station and the Brainard family,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a statement.
Elicker went on to say Brainard “left us far too soon, but his legacy of service will continue in the hearts and minds of his fellow firefighters and our residents.”
“On behalf of a grateful city, I want to thank Firefighter Brainard for his decade of dedicated service and extend our deepest condolences to his wife, children and family,” Elicker said.
According to Elicker, Brainard leaves behind two children.
“Firefighter Brainard was an honor to serve with,” New Haven Fire Chief John Alston said in a statement. “He wasn’t just a good firefighter, he was an exceptional human being. He was the kind of person who would help anyone, anytime without hesitation.”
“On behalf of the New Haven Fire Department — his coworkers and his friends — we extend our most heartfelt condolences to Firefighter Brainard’s wife and children,” Alston said. “We stand ready to support them through this extraordinary time of grief and loss.”
The Firemen’s Benevolent Association of New Haven is collecting donations to support the Brainard family. Donations can be made at fbanewhaven.org — noting Firefighter Brainard in the comment section. City officials said 100% percent of all donations will go directly to the Brainard family.
In recognition of Brainard, Alston has ordered all city department flags lowered to half-staff for the next 30 days.