Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Retired Firefighter Danny Noonan has passed away after a battle with leukemia. He was one of nearly 700 FDNY members who responded to a fire at the New York Telephone Company in Manhattan in 1975. Many of them were struck with cancer in the aftermath.
The fire broke out after midnight on February 27, 1975, at the New York Telephone Company switching center at 204 Second Avenue and 13th Street. Noonan, on Truck 3, was first due to this deadly fire, and had, in the decades since, been a tireless advocate for awareness of occupational cancer and toxic exposure in the fire service, in particular the cancers and deaths sustained by many of the 699 FDNY members who fought this fire.
There were no fatalities in the fire itself, but as the years went on, more and more of the members who were there were diagnosed with cancer. Noonan was diagnosed in 2001 with no family history of the disease.
Noonan was a 20-year veteran of FDNY. He started there in 1973 and was assigned to Truck 3 in Manhattan. He moved to Truck 31 in the Bronx. He then transferred to Truck 9 in the Bowery and stayed there until his retirement.
After retirement, Noonan moved to Southern California. He was diagnosed with leukemia at UCLA. He later moved back to Manhattan.
Noonan was a featured speaker at FDIC East and FDIC West, a facilitator at Command School, and a presenter at the NYC Firefighters Burn Center Seminars at the FDNY Academy.
The NY Fire Bell Club presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Noonan for his efforts on raising awareness of the lingering health effects from the 1975 New York Telephone Exchange Fire.
Here are thoughts from a few of Noonan’s friends in the fire service.
Fire Engineering Editor in Chief and FDIC Education Director David Rhodes:
“Danny was one of those larger-than-life guys. His animated story telling made him a lovable and relatable instructor. He took me in as part of his ‘Stay Low’ instructor cadre in the late 1990s. His impact on the fire service was as big as his personality. Not only did I learn much from him but also had some of the biggest laughs of my life. You will be missed, my brother, but your legacy will live on.”
Frank Leeb, managing director of the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE) and retired FDNY deputy assistant chief:
“The fire service lost an icon yesterday with the passing of retired FDNY Firefighter Dan Noonan. Dan was a decades-long advocate for firefighters and occupational cancer. His advocacy began before he retired from the FDNY in 1984 and continued until his death from occupational cancer. He was among the first to advocate for medical monitoring and early detection. He was an advocate, an icon, and, most of all, a friend to me and the fire service.
“His legacy will endure and continue to educate generations of firefighters. His story, in his own words, will be featured in the book 30 Fires You Must Know, which will be published later this year, and the second edition of In the Mouth of the Dragon, which will be published next year, both by Fire Engineering Books.”
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department:
“Once again, cancer strikes but, in this case, it strikes a man who’s been fighting it—and for all firefighters—for years. The NY Telephone Company Fire has taken hundreds of firefighters’ lives, but it was Danny Noonan who raised the awareness. He raised the awareness of what that fire did to so many, but he also was a living testament to how horrible cancer from that fire—and all fires—can be. Danny reminded us all that they didn’t know what they didn’t know back then. Today, we have no excuse. The brothers from that fire, and now along with Danny, did not give their lives in vain. All we need to do is to heed the warnings through their suffering. Danny’s message was clear: ‘Don’t breathe that crap, clean up after every job, and get screened annually. You don’t want to go what I’m going through.’ Rest in Peace to one of the best of the best, Danny Noonan.”
Firefighter (Ret.) Jim Burneka Jr., Dayton (OH) Fire Department, and APS Radio podcaster on Fire Engineering:
“Dan Noonan, a decorated FDNY firefighter, dedicated his life to advocating for the health and safety of his fellow first responders. His relentless efforts focused on the often-overlooked long-term health impacts of firefighting.
“Noonan’s most significant achievement was bringing attention to the 1975 New York Telephone Fire. This incident, which exposed firefighters to toxic substances, became a cornerstone in understanding occupational hazards. Through Noonan’s persistent advocacy, the event catalyzed research into chronic health issues affecting firefighters.
“Noonan’s work extended beyond the FDNY, influencing fire departments nationwide. His evidence-based approach to firefighter health set new standards in the field.
Today, Noonan’s legacy continues through ongoing research, policy changes, and awareness campaigns focused on firefighter health and safety. His dedication serves as a model for current and future advocates in the fire service community.”
FDNY Lieutenant (Ret.) Michael N. Ciampo, technical editor of Fire Engineering:
“Meeting Dan for the first time as a young instructor, I was impressed by his genuine personality and how easy it was to speak with him about firefighting and teaching, especially knowing he was a legend and professor of fire science at a college. Although we only saw each other a few times a year at conferences, he always found time to speak with me about the FDNY and my columns, always praising me and giving me the encouragement to keep writing and train our future firefighters. Who would have thought that working light duty at the fire academy, I would be at the filming of his interview documenting the historic Telephone Company fire and weeks later hear him speak during the dedication ceremony for the fire’s memorial wall. When I was diagnosed with cancer, he was one of the first to email me and check on me. When I heard he was ill again, I immediately emailed him. Rest in eternal peace Dan. You made an indelible mark on the FDNY and fire service through your teachings and promoting cancer prevention and awareness.”
Captain (Ret.) Michael Dugan, FDNY:
“Danny Noonan was a tireless advocate for the firefighters who operated at the NY Telephone Company fire. He pushed for medical monitoring and health care before it was even thought of. Due to this, for the members who operated at the WTC on 9/11, the FDNY had a blueprint on hand. Dan was a great instructor and friend. May he rest in peace.”
