Our condolences to the Lahens family and the New York City Fire Department. EMT Andre Lahens, 47, a 24 year veteran of the FDNY EMS Battalion 39 in Brooklyn died Friday April 26, 2002. Andre was responding to a report of a police officer with a gunshot wound on April 18, 2002, when a drunk driver ran a stop sign with his van and broadsided their ambulance at a high rate of speed. The ambulance overturned, ejecting Andre and trapping his partner in the ambulance. Andre received severe head and stomach injuries when he was ejected and was transported to Brookdale Hospital where he remained unconscious and on a respirator until he succumbed to his injuries.

     Andre was a decorated member of the department. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and was responsible for several 'pre-hospital saves' and even acted as a provisional Lieutenant from 1994-95. Andre toured the city during his career, serving at EMS stations throughout Queens and Brooklyn including Battalion 46 at Elmhurst Hospital, Battalion 50 at Queens General Hospital, Battalion 31 at Cumberland Hospital, and Battalion 39 on Pennsylvania Avenue.

     Our brother Andre leaves behind his wife, Brenda, and their four children, Omar, Ricardo, Afiya, and Dara. Andre's viewing will be held Monday April 29, 2002 7-10PM and Tuesday April 30, 2002 2-5PM and 7-10PM at Frederick Funeral Home in Flushing. A memorial funeral service will be held on Wednesday May 1, 2002 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Douglaston.