Jersey City Fire Battalion Chief Bryan Schoch Dies

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Services are planned next week for Jersey City Fire Department Battalion Chief Bryan Schoch, who died on Friday.

A firefighter for more than 20 years, Schoch had also served for a year as the chief of the Secaucus Volunteer Fire Department from 2015-2016, and helped train other firefighters as an instructor at Sussex County Community College.

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The Sussex County Community College Public Safety Training Academy shared on social media that Schoch had suffered a "medical emergency" on Sunday and was in grave condition during the week.

Firefigthters were asked to attend Sharing Network ceremony at Clara Maas Hospital on Friday to honor Schoch's "last act of bravery on this earth" as he underwent a procedure in which his organs would be donated to others. The ceremony was to be followed by a procession to a local funeral home.

A Jersey City official confirmed on Friday afternoon that Schoch had passed away earlier in the day.

First responders around North Jersey extended their condolences to Schoch's family and colleagues.

"The Bayonne Fire Department extends its deepest sympathy to the Jersey City Fire Department and to the family of Battalion Chief Bryan Schoch on his passing," wrote the department on Friday. "[He] was a dedicated public safety professional whose commitment to service was evident both in the field and in his role as a respected Training Officer at the Academy."

Services will be held Wednesday and Thursday at Mack Memorial Home in Secaucus.