Oceanside street is renamed in memory of hero of Sept. 11 Ronald Kirchner

The Town of Hempstead has renamed Montgomery Avenue, in Oceanside, in honor of Ronald Kirchner, a member of the New York City Fire Department who lived on Montgomery with his family, and died of a 9/11-related illness in August 2022. He was diagnosed with dementia at age 52, and had asthma and a lung disease as well, both linked to ground zero exposure.

Kirchner, described by many as a family man, began his work as a firefighter in 1989, when he joined Ladder 135 in Glendale. After six years, he was transferred to Engine 53 in Harlem, before finally settling into Ladder 154 in Jackson Heights, where he would spend the majority of his career.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Kirchner had just finished his shift at the firehouse when he heard the news about the attacks. After calling his family to make sure they were OK, he headed to the World Trade Center. The towers had already collapsed by the time he arrived, but Kirchner joined in the rescue effort. He spent six months — some 600 hours — after the attacks at ground zero, digging out the rubble. His work helped bring closure to many families who lost loved ones in the towers.

At the street-renaming ceremony, which took place on the morning of June 15 at the corner of Montgomery and Lawrence avenues, many stepped up to the podium to share the ways in which Kirchner had made a positive impact on their lives, but none more than Dawn Kirchner, Ronald’s wife of 33 years.

She spoke of all the ways he would help around the house, despite working two jobs. He renovated their home, paid the bills, helped out with the shopping, cleaned the pool, and he did it all with a smile because he just loved his family that much. The Kirchners have two children, Ava, who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in English, and Luke, who is set to graduate from the FDNY training academy in July.

“One time when our kids were little, there was a brownout,” Dawn Kirchner said. “Ronnie immediately went into lockdown mode. He was gathering coolers of ice to bring to his sister’s house in Lynbrook, my sister’s house in Oceanside, his mom’s house. He was collecting flashlights, batteries, water, you name it. My brother and I chuckled and (Ronnie) said, ‘Go ahead. You think it’s funny? This could be serious.’ He was so intense when the safety of those around him was threatened.”

Joseph Ferrante, FDNY’s Queens borough commander, told those in attendance that a memorial plaque has been hung in the corridor of Engine 307 and Ladder 154 to make sure that every new generation of firefighters will remember Kirchner’s service and sacrifice.

“When these young firefighters walk through the door, one of the first things the senior firefighter or the captain is going to do is take them over to that wall and explain and let them know who these firefighters were, who made these supreme sacrifices,” Ferrante said.

Dawn Kirchner was also presented with a plaque honoring the life and service of her late husband. The family was given a street sign identical to the one mounted on the pole to keep in their home.

Steve Ferring, who spent his entire career with Ladder 154 and had worked with Kirchner for many years, also shared his fond memories of him. Once, the two responded to a call for a gas leak during the winter. After wrapping up the situation, Ferring noticed Kirchner chatting with an elderly woman who was shoveling snow a few houses down the street. He thought nothing of it at that moment, but when they had finished their shift that night, Ferring noticed him grabbing shovels and getting ready to head back out. As it turned out, Kirchner had told the woman that she didn’t need to worry and that he was personally going to come back and shovel her walkway for her.

“They say the true mark of a person’s character is what they do when nobody’s watching,” Ferring said. “And (Ronnie) didn’t say anything to anybody. He just was gonna grab a shovel and he was gonna go help this woman out because she needed it. That was Ronnie’s spirit.”