NEW YORK – The New York City firefighter and married father of two has died after suffering a severe head injury in a training accident at his firehouse last week he saved the lives of five people through organ donation, authorities say.
William P. Moon II, a 21-year veteran of the FDNY, fell approximately 20 feet while preparing for a drill at his Sterling Place fire station in Brooklyn just before noon on December 12. He suffered a severe head injury and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but Mayor Eric Adams and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh said it was clear he wasn’t going to make it.
His family decided to donate his organs to save other people’s lives.
LiveOnNY, a non-profit organization that helps people like Moon live through organ and tissue donation, confirmed Tuesday that its heart, lung, liver and kidneys saved the lives of five patients, including three people at New York.
“Firefighter Moon was a hero in life and is now a hero in death who will live on through the generous gifts of organ donation,” LiveOnNY president and chief executive officer Leonard Achan said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Moon family. Our thoughts and prayers remain with them during this difficult time.”
Luna was 47 years old. The Islip, Long Island resident is survived by his wife, Kristina, and their two children. He will be commemorated during a funeral on Wednesday 28 December.
“Loving Billy was not just a marriage of families, but a marriage to firefighters. His love and passion for the job extends beyond the walls of the fire station,” his wife Kristina said in a letter read by Kavanaugh. “He instilled the same passion in our children and always spoke about how important it was to help others.”
Adams called the loss “heartbreaking” for all involved.
“Firefighter Moon was a dedicated public servant who spent more than two decades saving the lives of New Yorkers and will continue to do so after his death,” Adams said in a statement. “We join all firefighters and all New Yorkers in mourning his loss and praying for Firefighter Moon, his family and friends.”
Moon joined the FDNY in May 2002. He began his career with Ladder Company 133 in Queens where he worked for 20 years before being assigned to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn earlier this year. He had been working as a member of the fire department’s elite special operations rescue company for nearly a year.
“This type of work requires extensive training. Billy was preparing for one of these training exercises when this tragic incident occurred,” said FDNY department chief John Hodgens. “Billy is a dedicated firefighter who will always be remembered as an important member of the New York City Fire Department. His legacy will live on forever.”
Kavanaugh agreed with Adams’ feelings about honoring the devoted firefighter and family man.
“Our hearts break for the family and friends of Firefighter Moon and our entire department,” Kavanaugh said. “Firefighting was in his bones and he embodied the spirit and passion of our department. He was passionate about organ donation and just as he saved countless lives working at the firehouse, he will continue to save lives after his death.”
In addition to serving with the FDNY, Moon volunteered with the Islip Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown. He served as chief there in 2017. The Islip Fire Station flag flew at half-mast on Friday.
