The FDNY held a plaque dedication ceremony on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Engine 257/Ladder 170 in Brooklyn to honor Monsignor John E. Delendick.
According to the FDNY, Monsignor Delendick served as a chaplain for 28 years, beginning on May 15, 1996.
His role became central following the events of September 11, 2001, when he arrived at the World Trade Center shortly after the second plane struck.
Surviving the collapse of the towers, he spent months offering spiritual support to families, officiating memorial services, and attending support groups for those grieving the loss of FDNY members.
Monsignor Delendick passed away on November 23, 2023, at the age of 74 from World Trade Center-related cancer.
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker stated: “Monsignor Delendick came to the FDNY as a chaplain in 1996—a job he loved and cherished.
The losses of September 11th elevated him in this department to our senior chaplain.
We honor that legacy with a plaque that bears his name at the firehouse he considered home.”
First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra remarked: “Monsignor Delendick loved the FDNY, and we loved him.”
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the FDNY held another plaque dedication ceremony at a Bronx 911 Dispatch Center to commemorate EMT Frederick D. Whiteside.
Whiteside, a 22-year FDNY veteran, passed away on November 17, 2023, at the age of 43 after suffering cardiac arrest while on duty.
Whiteside joined the FDNY on April 19, 2002, just seven months after September 11, 2001.
He worked in EMS Divisions 2 and 3 in Brooklyn and the Bronx before transitioning to EMS dispatch in 2019.
His dedication to both patients and colleagues earned him recognition as the 1,160th member of the FDNY to make the Supreme Sacrifice.
Commissioner Tucker noted: “As we place a plaque on the wall in his honor, let us remember how Frederick connected with patients and with the EMTs he guided. He was a leader, and we should aspire to be more like him.”
Chief of Department John Esposito added: “Frederick Whiteside was a dedicated and compassionate EMT—both on the streets and on the radio.
“He was a great mentor to the next generation of our medical professionals.”
The dual ceremonies emphasize the FDNY’s dedication to honoring members who devoted their lives to service.
Monsignor Delendick and EMT Whiteside left lasting legacies of compassion, resilience, and mentorship.
Monsignor Delendick’s work provided spiritual comfort during one of the FDNY’s most challenging periods, while EMT Whiteside’s leadership impacted both patients and colleagues.
The plaques installed at significant locations will ensure their contributions are remembered.
The ceremonies were attended by FDNY leadership, family members, and colleagues who reflected on the lives of Monsignor Delendick and EMT Whiteside.
Their plaques serve as permanent reminders of their service, ensuring their legacies endure within the FDNY and the communities they served.
The events also highlighted the values of empathy, bravery, and dedication exemplified by both individuals, inspiring future generations within the department.
The FDNY honored Monsignor John E. Delendick and EMT Frederick D. Whiteside with plaque dedication ceremonies on November 22 and November 23, 2024.
Monsignor Delendick, a 28-year chaplain, supported the FDNY community after September 11, 2001, before passing away in 2023 due to World Trade Center-related cancer.
EMT Whiteside, a 22-year veteran, was commemorated for his leadership and compassion following his death from cardiac arrest in 2023.
Both plaques were installed at locations tied to their service, preserving their legacies within the FDNY.
