Kansas City Fire Department, Family, Friends Celebrate Life of Fallen Firefighter

LIBERTY, Mo. (KCTV) — Kansas City first responders, family and friends gathered Wednesday to pay tribute to fallen firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker.

died on Tuesday as a result of a medical emergency he suffered during an exercise.

On Wednesday, a visitation, celebration of life, and procession were held to honor his service and life.

Brinker worked for 11 years for the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department.

Kansas City first responders, family and friends honored fallen firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker on Sept. 25, 2024.(Samantha Boring, KCTV5)

He moved here from Pennsylvania to serve with KCFD.

He worked at Station 7 for the first few years and then moved to Station 35 where he was a firefighter and paramedic.

He most recently transferred to Rescue 9 at Station 35.

READ ALSO: KCFD vows to remember fallen firefighter Kyle Brinker: ‘He will not be forgotten’

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department,” said Michael Hopkins, KCFD Public Information Battalion Chief.

They offered counseling and other mental health resources to firefighters who worked alongside Brinker.

Soon, first responders will follow fallen firefighter and paramedic Kyle Brinker on his final tour of duty. Brinker died last week after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise. @KCTV5 photo:twitter.com/kzwiLjCVqK

— Samantha Boring (@samantha_boring) September 25, 2024

“You know, they’re strong. But obviously they’re devastated,” Hopkins said of Brinker’s fellow firefighters. “He was a coworker and a friend, someone they worked with every day. Unfortunately, when he passed away, they were on the scene and they were the ones working the incident. It’s very traumatic for you.”

Kyle Brinker, 33, died following a medical emergency he suffered during training.(KCFD)

Brinker was known for his bright spirit and hard work. KCFD estimated that he responded to more than 20,000 calls during his career in Kansas City.

“He was always in a good mood around the fire station, smiling and laughing,” Hopkins said. “Sometimes it’s hard to do that at Station 35 because it’s one of the busiest stations in the city. The ambulance service he worked at regularly handles 6,000 to 7,000 calls a year. That’s a lot, so the fact that you still have a smile on your face and are willing to go in there and do it is a testament to his personality and how much he loved the job.”

It was carried away under an American flag while riding on Pumper 35. The procession passed through various stations where Brinker worked, including Station 35.

Kyle Brinker was taken on his final tour of duty by Pumper 35. It’s a 43-mile procession where he will be honored at the stations where he served for the past 11 years. @KCTV5 photo:twitter.com/XrauGbKrk3

— Samantha Boring (@samantha_boring) September 25, 2024

At last he reached Gladstone.

This spring, the fire department plans to honor Brinker by adding his name to the Kansas City Firefighters Memorial. Plans are also afoot to hang his photo and a plaque at Station 35 to keep his memory alive.