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Modified 3-Jan-24
Created 7-May-13
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A full fire department funeral was held on May 5, 2013 for 25 year old Gene Kirchner, a nine year member of the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Department.
Kirchner suffered critical injuries in a dwelling fire that went to 3 alarms, in the unit block of Hanover Road on April 24th. The fire was reported shortly after 1:00AM. Kirchner was among the first arriving units from Reisterstown on the scene. He and others entered the burning home in search of a trapped person that was reported inside. After a few minutes a “Mayday” was sounded. Rescue crews then entered and found Kirchner on the second floor injured and unconscious. He was retrieved and taken to Northwest Hospital and later transferred to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was listed in critical condition. Eight days later he succumbed to his injuries when he was taken off of life support.
After a secondary search of the premises the occupant of the home, 58 year old Steven Starr, was found deceased. Four other occupants were able to escape the fire.
Funeral services for Kirchner were held at the Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mills, MD. Baltimore County Fire Chief John J. Hohman and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz posthumously awarded the departments Medal of Honor to Kirchner’s family as his sister Shelly Brezicki spoke for the family reflecting on Gene’s life.
After the services concluded Kirchner’s flag draped casket was loaded aboard Reisterstown’s Engine 412 and led a long procession of fire apparatus, friends and family to his final resting place at the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium.
At the graveside services a broadcast over the fire department radio announced that Firefighter Kirchner had completed his last watch on May 2nd and five bells tolled three times signaling that he had died in the line of duty.
Kirchner’s helmet was given to his twin brother Will, who is also a firefighter at Reisterstown,
Gene Kirchner gave his life doing what he loved and will be sorely missed by his community, family and extended family, the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Department. Those who loved Gene said he would have wanted people to remember him by doing something nice for somebody else.

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