Fire Cadet Dies After Collapse During Drill At Randalls Island

A Probationary Firefighter collapsed unconscious and subsequently died Nov. 11 while doing routine training at the Fire Academy on Randalls Island.

JAMEL M. SEARS Jamel Sears was reportedly wearing full gear while doing firefighting simulation exercises.

Mr. Sears had joined the Fire Department in July, after serving in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Alaska. The Bronx resident comes from a family devoted to the civil service.

Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy said in a statement: "While only a recent addition to the Fire Department family, Firefighter Sears showed early in his training that he had a passionate desire to dedicate his life to protecting others."

"I had visited the hospital on Monday, and visited with his wife Sherita and their two kids as well as his mother Johnnie-Mae," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement last week. "She works for the Housing Authority, his wife is a New York City Police Officer and she had worked for the Correction Department. Jamel was somebody who had defended this country overseas, and then devoted his career to public service and keeping us all safe."