Former Madison Firefighter Dies After Courageous Battle with ALS

MADISON, CT — A firefighter who inspired so many and was determined to not let ALS prevent her from giving birth to her baby girl in 2014 died Wednesday.

"Today we lost one of our own. Our beloved Nomad colleague and sister, firefighter Amanda Bernier, responded to her last alarm after inspiring thousands through her courageous journey with ALS," the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company shared on its Facebook page.

"Not only did she face ALS head-on, knowing what the disease would bring, but she also rose above the limits it placed on her life with grace, humor, honesty and bravery. In word and action, she exemplified and redefined “strong work.” She was a hero to her core. Words cannot express the profound sadness we feel upon her passing. Our hearts are with Amanda’s husband Chris, their daughter Arabella and their family members, who request privacy at this time.," the Fire Department wrote.

After Amanda, 32, was diagnosed Madison residents and beyond rallied to assist the family raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them with staggering medical bills and to allow them to make renovations to their home to accommodate Amanda.

Amanda had served the town as a firefighter while her husband, Chris, is the Madison Emergency Medical Services EMS director.

On Amanda's Facebook page the sad news was announced Wednesday.

"It is with a heavy heart to let you know that Amanda passed away. She is now free from this horrible disease. Amanda fought until the very end and inspired so many. Her infectious smile radiates through our beautiful daughter. Our family is forever grateful for all the love and support that so many have shown. Words alone cannot express our gratitude. The family respectfully requests privacy during this time. May the grace of God be with you always in your heart," the family wrote.

First Selectman Thomas Banisch told Sarah Page Kyrcz of the New Haven Register that the town is "sad."

“She was such a dynamic person. You saw her on Facebook all the time and despite the fact that she didn’t have use of her physical abilities, what a brave person and what a wonderful mother she was. Today, the whole town faces the loss," Banisch told the Register.

Earlier this year, Amanda was honored by Heroes are MADE in Madison project.

M.A.D.E. in Madison wrote back in January that Amanda encouraged the followers of her popular Amanda’s Angels – ALS Facebook page to donate to the Ice Bucket Challenge, she wrote about what it is like to live with the disease.

Her viral post about breastfeeding her infant daughter Arabella was part of that series. The post caught the attention of The Huffington Post and The Today Show, as well as Madison resident Sharon Clarke.

In her nomination of Bernier for a Heroes are MADE in Madison award, Clarke used the words “inspirational” and “courageous.”

Better words could not have been used to describe Bernier. When the MADE coordinators, along with Clarke, presented the Hero award to Bernier, she described a new realization about helping people: that she was still doing it, just in a different way.

“I am so grateful that people have shared how I have helped them. One lady told me that she was going to commit suicide that night until she read about me and realized that she was strong enough to keep living for her children. I am grateful to be able to help people again.”

MADE, in its statement back in January, said its, "equally grateful to have Amanda as part of our community! Heroes like Amanda Bernier are role models in Madison because of their leadership, grace, and courage."

Read the full New Haven Register story here.

Written by Brian McCready (Patch National Staff)

(Editor's Note: We first published this story earlier in the week but here it is again in case you missed it.)