Firefighter Alberto Tirado was hired by the Passaic Fire Department on September 10‚ 1992. He completed Basic Fire Training and was assigned to Engine Co. #l at the Westside Fire Station for 2 years. He was then transferred to Engine Co. #3 at the Eastside Fire Station. He worked out of the Eastside Fire Station until May 9‚ 2001. On that day Firefighter Tirado was temporarily assigned to work on Truck Co. #2. That evening the company responded to a report of a structure fire at 202 Market St. Upon the company’s arrival they confirmed a working fire in a 3-story multi-family building and received a report of a woman and two children trapped.

Firefighter Tirado immediately entered the building and began searching for the victims‚ not knowing they had already safely escaped the fire. Refusing to give up the search‚ he continued on and found himself trapped and running out of air on the third floor.

Firefighter Tirado did not make it out of the building. He was killed in the line of duty performing the greatest act of bravery a firefighter can render. He gave his life trying to save others‚ the ultimate sacrifice.

During his 8 years and 8 months on the job‚ Firefighter Tirado accomplished many things. He was a certified Firefighter‚ EMT‚ Fire Inspector‚ and attained Incident Management System Level 1 certification. He had also recently passed the State of New Jersey’s Department of Personnel Fire Officers examination and was eligible to be promoted to Lieutenant. He was a member of the Passaic Firefighters Association and FMBA #13.

Firefighter Tirado leaves behind a wife and four children.