FDNY marshal George Snyder, who led lithium-ion battery task force, mourned at St. Patrick’s funeral

George Snyder, an FDNY marshal who led the department’s newly formed lithium-ion battery task force, was mourned at a St. Patrick’s Cathedral funeral Monday, as a sea of thousands of firefighters showed up to pay their respects. Snyder passed away last week from a heart attack while on his way home from work.

Robert Tucker, the FDNY’s newly-minted commissioner, said Snyder, a 22-year veteran of the department, had the “street smarts” required to lead the special task force that was set up after a rash of deadly fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power the growing number of e-bikes being used on city streets.

“He worked with dedication, diligence and bravery,” said Tucker, who was appointed to the FDNY commissioner post by Mayor Adams just last week.

Speaking at Synder’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral funeral, the mayor extended his condolences to Snyder’s mother, who was sitting in the first row.

“There is nothing more stinging and painful,” he said. “Sons are supposed to bury their moms. Mothers are not supposed to bury their sons.”

In addition to his mother, Snyder is survived by three sisters and nine nieces and nephews.

Retired Supervising Fire Marshal John Orlando and Supervising Fire Marshal Joseph Cultrera, who is a family friend, also spoke. Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen delivered the homily.

Fatal lithium-ion battery fires have become increasingly common in the city due to an explosion in e-bike use. Amid that concerning trend, former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh launched a lithium-ion battery task force and put Snyder in charge of it.

Snyder, 53, earned that assignment after being cited five times for meritorious acts in the line of duty. He became an FDNY marshal in 2009 after joining the department in 2002 as a firefighter at Engine 36 in Harlem.

On Friday, Snyder went into cardiac arrest while leaving work. He was rushed to a hospital, but died Saturday from complications of the heart attack. His passing is considered a line-of-duty death since it happened within 25 hours of his last shift.

Synder’s is the FDNY’s first line-of-duty death this year.

Originally Published: August 19, 2024 at 12:58 p.m.