Keith: The Pride of Midtown...The Heart of Seaford

It's only fitting that Keith P. Kern's FDNY company, Manhattan's Ladder 4, was part of the busiest firehouse in the city. Keith could not stand to remain idle for long. Those of us who knew Keith were amazed at how he could give so much of himself to so many of us, always being there when "there" seemed to be two or three places at one time.

In addition to his career with the FDNY, Keith was a volunteer firefighter with the Seaford Fire Department. From the moment he joined the SFD in 1997, his presence and contributions were indispensable. He quickly became an integral part of the department's training committee, and invariably took the new probies under his wing. He gave his time and expertise to the SFD's Explorer Program, training and encouraging future firefighters, with the same humility and respect he showed every member of the department.

At FDNY Engine 54/Ladder 4 – "The Pride of Midtown" -- Keith was the senior man and the backbone of the firehouse. And so it was in the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center, where 15 brothers from his firehouse lost their lives, that Keith was called upon by the FDNY to provide whatever help he could to the families of four of his fallen brothers.

True to form, Keith was there for the widows and children of his brothers, literally on call 24/7 to provide whatever was needed; a shoulder to cry on... answers to unanswerable questions from heartbroken kids…a ride to a ballgame or school event... home repairs or the completion of home improvement projects interrupted by the tragedy of 9/11.

Through it all, Keith still somehow continued to give his all to the Seaford Fire Department. In early 2004, he became Lieutenant of Squad 687, serving in that capacity for two years until April of 2006, when he became Lieutenant of Ladder 683.

Beyond his responsibilities to the fire service, Keith exemplified the meaning of "brotherhood," giving his time to help his friends and brothers wherever needed. In so many of our homes, we’re surrounded by home improvement projects that Keith helped us complete, for no more payment than our company and a few cold ones.

Somehow, despite seemingly always "being there" for his friends, his FD brothers, and their families, Keith was a true family man, raising 5 children with his wife of 30 years, Valerie. Ladder 4’s motto "Never Missed a Performance" was fitting for Keith as a dad as well, as he made it a priority to be there for his kids' every "performance," from dance recitals and school events to peewee hockey games, football games, soccer games and the like. As a testament to his success as a father, Keith was the best friend and the chosen Best Man of his son Keith, who followed his father’s footsteps into the FDNY, as well as the SFD.


At the time of his passing, Keith was in the process of building a new home for his extended family. Following the example the Keith himself set for us, we established "Keith's Blueprint" to raise the funds and manpower to complete the Kern family home, which we achieved by December, 2006. Today our goal is to provide for the continuing education of Keith's three wonderful daughters, Ashley, Brianne and Jordan. We will continue to "be there" for Keith's family, just as we know he would continue to be there for each of us.


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