Late FF Jesse Gerhard Remembered

By Katie McFadden

At The Big House, late Firefighter Jesse Gerhard will never be forgotten. That’s been proven every day since the 33-yearold collapsed at the firehouse on February 16, 2022, and later died after battling a blaze in Far Rockaway. On Saturday, March 11, friends, family and fellow firefighters gathered at Ladder 134 on Central Ave for a plaque dedication ceremony and the unveiling of a new mural donning the brick walls, in honor of Gerhard.

Gerhard, a resident of Long Island and volunteer for the Islip Fire Department, was a seven-year member of the FDNY. “For Jesse, being a firefighter was a calling, as it is for so many people of the fire department,” Jesse’s father, Bruce Gerhard said.

Gerhard was a son, a brother, an uncle, a godfather, a master craftsman and carpenter, and all around, a good man. His loss was felt throughout Ladder 134 and the entire FDNY community last year. On Saturday, his firehouse hosted the Gerhard family for a plaque dedication. The plaque will don the walls of The Big House for years to come. The Uniformed

Firefighters Associated of Greater New York also presen ted a plaque to the family.

“One year ago, we lost a special person. He was special in so many of the ways that all of our members are— generous, giving, always putting others first,” FDNY Commissioner, Laura Kavanagh said.

The members of the firehouse also unveiled a memorial tribute they built into the walls of The Big House, featuring Jesse’s jacket, helmet and photos, with the quote "Work

Hard, Play Hard," underneath.

“We make a vow to never forget and today when we gather here for a plaque dedication for firefighter Jesse Gerhard, we are making good on that promise,” John Hodgens, Chief of D epartment, said. “We are creating a lasting memorial for Jesse.” Photos from the UFA.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023

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Fusion Yoga w/bella arikian

Incorporating elements from the Hot26 series, vinyasa, and HIIT, this structured class with music, is designed to invigorate, unwind and motivate you to create space within your body and mind. There will be variations of postures and opportunities to get curious about your balance, strength and flexibility, with a focus on alignment and exploring beyond your comfort zone. Room will be hot.

Thursday, March 23rd 4:00pm

w/christine walker

Access and stretch the deeper connective tissue and fascia. Focus on the spine, sacrum, hips, knees and ankles and enjoy more flexibility in the joints. Enhance your performance in any sport and calm & balance the mind and body. Postures are more passive and perfect for the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner. Room will be warm.

Saturday, March 25th 11:00am

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This weekend I had an offline weekend. It was a family vacation, and we did not have any sort of rule about putting the phones away, but because of the nature of the vacation and the number of activities it involved, it just kind of happened.

I have not had one of these weekends in a long time. If I am being honest, probably not since before I had a smartphone. Most of my life, I have known the cell phone. (I just tried to look up when the first smartphones came out and Google had the audacity to tell me 1994. I would like to see this “smartphone” because I have a feeling it would not be smarter than a fifth grader.) The first iPhone was released in 2007. I would say I got my paws on one about a year and a half later and for the past 15 years, there has been one buzzing in my back pocket.

Something that always fascinates me is what it was like before that time. I really don’t remember it too well. I was a kid, so nothing was important enough for me to really remember how I got through a specific event without my phone. Something as simple as the drive up to this vacation seems like it would have been impossible without my little personal supercomputer. Turn by turn directions on a printed-out piece of paper to navigate the windy roads of middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania? Are you kidding? Hilariously, I cannot even fathom the paper map times. I guess when MapQuest—now the butt of many a travel joke—came out, it must have been a gift from the heavens. I miss turns when I have an omniscient computer lady talking me through the drive while simultaneously showing

By Sean McVeigh

me a real-time GPS map of exactly where I am and need to go. Could you imagine if I had to use a paper map? Might as well use the stars. “Guys, that North Star looks like it’s heading right for JFK.”

Even during this “offline” time, we still shot the occasional group text out: “heading down to dinner in 5” or “thinking about going to the show at 8, who’s in?” How did people make plans before the cell phone? This doesn’t just go for a trip like mine. This is applicable to life as a whole! Sporting events are where it always comes to mind. OK, I am at Yankee Stadium, along with 60,000 other people, let’s go find my one other friend. We last spoke ten hours ago, so I am almost positive they are here. Maybe by the 9th inning I will find them. We can say hello, what a great game and then goodbye.

When I got into the car to head home, I had literally hundreds of emails. What an awful feeling. Technology has done so much good. Countless amounts of innovations that have made our lives so unbelievably easy and enjoyable. It is almost sickening in that regard. For every give, there is a take. And in this case, it is our always “online” life. Leaving work on Friday at 5 p.m. and not hearing or seeing work until Monday at 9 a.m. is no longer an option. I got a little taste of that this weekend, and it was incredible. I know I am not the first to say it, but I think we could all use a little break from “it all” more than we even think. So do me a favor: shut it down and go have a beer with some family and friends. Those hundred emails will still be there when you get back.