Firefighter Michael Kiefer
Ladder 132
Laid
to Rest
on July 18, 2002
FDNY
Firefighter Michael Vernon Kiefer
December 5, 1975 - September 11, 2001
Michael
arrived into this world on December 5th 1975 to the joy of his
parents Pat and Bud. His ultimate goal of being a FDNY firefighter
started in the first years of his short but meaningful life.
All photos of him taken at occasions such as birthdays and Holidays
showed him adorned in the firefighter gear that he would so
proudly wear in his early manhood. His dedication to this ultimate
goal should be an inspiration to others.
Around the time he was able to skillfully master the use of
his bicycle, it became his vehicle to take him to the "red
devil" in his neighborhood and beyond. With the use of
a scanner he intently listened to these callings as other kids
his age were listening to rock music. Sometimes, unbeknownst
to his parents, these callings took him away from his neighborhood
of Franklin Square into areas where he needed a police escort
to safely guide him home.
He joined the Franklin Square and Munson junior firefighters
organization and quickly rose through the ranks to Chief. Unfortunately
for them he had to leave due to, as he put it …"the
lack of action". The Town of Malverne was his next target
for as he grew so did his appetite for the action of smoke and
flames. He stayed with this company until again his patience
wore thin searching for the "red devil".
By this time Michael had grown into his later teen years and
became more intent on his FDNY goal. To that end his body became
his temple and the ritual of working out and eating right became
his sole focus. His stack of training certificates and awards
was now over two inches thick. His dedication to his faith also
became another driving force. He proudly attained the role of
Eucharistic Minister and weekly attendance at Mass and Holydays
were a must. The swimming lessons that his Mom brought him to
as a youngster now paid dividends as he sought for and attained
employment as a pool lifeguard in the Town of Hempstead. He
would later go on to become an ocean lifeguard in Long Beach
LI, his "home away from home".
As with Franklin Square, Malverne gave way to the Freeport Fire
Department. An action packed group that was much to his liking.
While honing his skills there he learned of a fire cadet program
given by John Jay College that, upon graduation, would make
him a member of the New City Fire Department with the rank of
EMT and allow him to take the promotional exam as firefighter.
He quickly joined and passed with 100% on both the written and
physical exam. His quest for the "red devil" still
never waned. Freeport had succumbed in action to the Hempstead
Fire Department. In October of 2000, Michael was now in "Probie"
school or as he put it - heaven. The following December he received
the best birthday gift he could ever ask for when he attained
his diploma and was now officially a FDNY fireman. His dream
assignment came through when he was told to report to Engine
280/Ladder 132 in Brooklyn. Life was now "perfect"
for Michael. He had found the other love of his life Jamie two
years ago and was saving for a ring.
He proudly wore this mantle of FDNY firefighter that he worked
his whole life to attain for a short 9 months until that fateful
day on September 11, 2001 when God called him home to His firehouse.
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