Paul Richard Tokarski was born on June 4, 1966. He was appointed to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) on April 14, 1991, and served his first nine years in the quarters of Ladder Company 106. Firefighter Tokarski ended his career in the quarters of Ladder Company 164 after serving 22 years as firefighter.

Firefighter Tokarski retired on December 28, 2012, and died on March 10, 2018, from an illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

He is survived by his daughter, Kole.