FDNY “Black Sunday” Survivor Found Dead in Home

NEW YORK – The New York Daily News has reported that a former city firefighter, who survived a 40-foot plunge to escape a Bronx blaze that killed two firefighters in 2005, died at his Long Island home.

Retired FDNY Lieutenant Joseph DiBernardo, 40, was one of six firefighters trapped inside a fourth-floor apartment in the Bronx Morris Heights neighborhood on Jan. 23, 2005, also known as “Black Sunday”. Lieutenant Curtis Meyran and Firefighter John Bellew had leaped to their deaths.

NIOSH Report:
Career Lieutenant and Career Fire Fighter Die and Four Career Fire Fighters are Seriously Injured during a Three Alarm Apartment Fire

When the firefighters became trapped on the fourth floor DiBernardo held onto a safety rope as another firefighter tried to rappel down the building. That firefighter lost his grip and plunged into a courtyard below.

DiBernardo then tied the rope to a window guard as he tried to lower himself down but the rope gave way and he plunged nearly four stories into a courtyard below.

DiBernardo landed feet first and suffered multiple fractures. Two other firefighters were critically injured when they also jumped.

Later, after his immediate recovery, DiBernardo was promoted to lieutenant but the injuries continued to bother him and he was forced to retire from the department.

According to the Daily News, DiBernardo’s father said his son never fully recovered from his injuries and 9/11. “

A FDNY spokesman said it is not unclear if his job-related injuries contributed to his death.

An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death.