Firefighter William Moon II suffers fatal head injury preparing for drill at Brooklyn fire house

The FDNY on Sunday is honoring veteran firefighter William Moon, who suffered critical injuries during a drill six days ago. 

It's somber at Rescue 2 in Brownsville, where a bunting ceremony will take place. CBS News New York will livestream the ceremony when it starts at approximately 10 a.m. 

FDNY members, including Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, lined the streets to honor Moon as he was taken overnight from Kings County Hospital to NYU Langone. 

Moon's family made the decision to donate his organs to save the lives of others when it became clear he would not survive. 

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A career firefighter and father is now giving the gift of life after suffering a devastating injury earlier this week.

Those working at Kings County Hospital told CBS2's Kristie Keleshian that, all week long, firefighters have been visiting one of their own, William, or Billy, Moon. He's being described as a hero twice over by Mayor Eric Adams.

"He spent 21 years saving the lives of his fellow New Yorkers, and he will continue to save lives in his passing," Adams said.

Adams on Friday announced that Moon's family has decided his organs will be be donated to save the lives of others. He's now on life support at Kings County Hospital.

It's not far from the Brooklyn Rescue Company in Brownsville where the 47-year-old was preparing for a drill late Monday morning, when he fell 20 feet and suffered serious head injuries.

A statement from his wife, Kristina, was read by FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

"Loving Billy was not only a marriage of families, but a marriage to the fire department. His love and passion for the job extended far from the fire house walls," Kavanagh read.

The Long Island native started off volunteering at the Islip Fire Department at 19 years old, eventually becoming fire chief. The department described him as "a firefighter's firefighter" and "the heart and soul of the department."

Heartbroken neighbors were praying he would pull through.

"This is a sin. This is unbelievable ... I saw him the other day on the ladder, putting up the last of the [Christmas] lights. He's such a, such a family guy," neighbor Robert Mason said.

"His legacy will live forever," FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said.

He then served the Queens community for 21 years out of Ladder 133, but Moon wanted more.

This past January, he started at Rescue 2 in Brooklyn, an elite unit that goes beyond fires with water, scaffolding and construction rescues. Intense training and drills are the norm.

"Billy was preparing for one of these training exercises when this tragic accident occurred," Hodgens said.

A dedicated firefighter and father of two young children who was part of his home department's Wolves drill team, marching band and hockey team, also a passionate member of the organ donor registry.

His wife's statement says, "We are eternally grateful for the Christmas miracles that Billy will now be able to give others."

This is the second tragic loss in less than a year for the Islip Fire Department. In February, they mourned the FDNY's Jesse Gerhard, also an Islip resident. 

The tragic accident leading to Moon's fatal head injury is hitting his volunteer fire house in Islip very hard. It is the second time in less than a year they've put out bunting for a fallen brother. 

"One of our bravest, Firefighter William Moon, is in critical condition at this time. This morning it became clear that he will not survive his injuries," Mayor Eric Adams said. 

With a heavy heart, Adams announced the battle to save Moon was lost. The 47-year-old fell 20 feet while preparing for a training drill inside his Brooklyn rescue company on Monday and suffered a devastating head injury. 

"Sadly, today it became clear he would not survive his very serious injuries from that fall," said FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. 

Moon fought fires in Queens and saved countless lives before recently deciding to do even more: moving to Rescue 2. 

"Which is an elite unit that not only responds to fires, also responds to any type of emergency you can imagine," said FDNY Chief of Dept. John Hodgens. 

Moon was setting up a drill for one of those emergencies when he fell.

A dedicated firefighter, Moon will now save lives another way. His family made the decision to donate his organs. 

"His love and passion for the job extended far from the firehouse walls. He instilled that same passion in our children and always talked about how important it was to help others," said Moon's wife in a statement read aloud by Kavanagh. 

It's the second tragic loss at the volunteer Islip Fire Department in less than a year. In February, they mourned the FDNY's Jesse Gerhard, also an Islip resident. 

Moon is described as a legend, volunteering at just 19 years old and rising to the rank of Islip fire chief. Athletic, funny, incredibly dedicated to his fire departments and family.

All were praying he would pull through, including his heartbroken neighbors. 

"He would do anything for anybody. Just, such a shock," said Bob Logue. 

"If you needed something and he could help you with it, he was there. This is a sin," said Robert Mason. "Here's a guy who gave his life saving other people, and now this has to happen to him." 

Moon's wife, in her statement, wrote the family is grateful for the Christmas miracles he will now be able to give others through organ donation.

A hero, said the mayor, twice over. 

Fire Commissioner Kavanagh read a statement from Moon's wife, Kristina, during the press conference Friday morning. 

"Loving Billy was not only a marriage of families but a marriage to the fire department. His love and passion for the job extended far from the fire house walls. He instilled that same passion in our children and always talked about how important it was to help others. We are eternally grateful for the Christmas miracles that Billy will now be able to give others," she read.

After spending the first 20 years of his career with Ladder Company 133 in Jamaica, Queens, officials said Moon transferred over to Rescue Company 2 earlier this year. 

"Billy was the type of firefighter who wanted to do more. So in January of this year, he transferred to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, which is an elite unit that not only responds to fires, also responds to any type of emergency you can imagine happening in the city of New York -- such as, window washers trapped high above the street on a scaffolding that need to be rescued, drowning victims where scuba divers are needed to rescue the victims, a construction worker trapped by some type of collapse where they need to be extricated. This is the type of work that Rescue 2 trains and does, and does very well," FDNY Chief of Department Jack Hodgens said.

Mayor Eric Adams praised Moon's wife for her bravery and offered his condolences to the family, particularly this time of year.

"New York City is a family, and not only do we care for each other, but at the forefront of that caring are those who run into danger, those who put their lives on the line to ensure that we can experience the freedom and safety that we have in New York," the mayor went on to say. "Firefighter Moon was very much part of that family. He represents a devotion and bravery that makes up the fabric of the FDNY and other first responders. We're extremely grateful for his service and his sacrifice for our great city, and we're asking all to keep Firefighter Moon and his family in our prayers."

Mayor Eric Adams, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh held a briefing Friday morning on Firefighter William Moon's condition.

FDNY-Fire Officers Association President Lt. James McCarthy released a statement Friday, saying Moon "completed over two decades of heroic service."

"FDNY Fire Fighters and their families share an unbreakable bond and this tragedy brings heartbreak to us all. Firefighter Moon completed over two decades of heroic service to the City of New York and this Department. His selfless actions have saved lives and in his death he will continue this legacy, donating his organs so that others may live. We offer our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the Moon family, all of William's loved ones, and his fellow firefighters who are devastated by his loss."

FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro released a statement Friday, saying Moon was "an exemplary member" and "will never be forgotten."

"This is a devastating tragedy that breaks the hearts of each and every member of the FDNY Firefighter family.  Firefighter William P. Moon spent his life and career saving the lives of New Yorkers, and to learn of the donation of his organs, he will also do so in his passing.  With more than two decades in the Department, Firefighter Moon was an exemplary member of the FDNY, whose contributions to his fellow firefighters, the Department, and this city will never be forgotten.  The Uniformed Firefighters Association will stand 20,000 strong with the family of Firefighter Moon and honor his legacy of service and selfless sacrifice for the safety of others forever."

The mayor and fire commissioner said the 21-year veteran joined the department in May 2002. 

He started his career with Ladder Company 133 in Queens, where he worked for 20 years. He was detailed to Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn earlier this year. 

Moon was also a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Islip on Long Island. 

He was 47 years old and leaves behind a wife, Kristina, and two children.

Mayor Eric Adams and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh say they will share more information about Firefighter Moon's condition at 11 a.m. Friday. 

Watch streaming live on CBS News New York.  

Mayor Eric Adams released the following statements Friday morning: 

"This is a heartbreaking loss for New York's Bravest, and for our entire city. Firefighter Moon was a dedicated public servant, who spent more than two decades saving the lives of New Yorkers and will continue to do so in his passing. We join the entire Fire Department and every New Yorker in mourning his loss, and pray for Firefighter Moon, his family, and his friends."

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh added the following: 

"Our hearts are broken for Firefighter Moon's family and friends, and for our entire Department. He spent his life helping others, here at the FDNY, and on Long Island, as a volunteer Fire Chief. Firefighting was in his bones, and he embodied the spirit and passion of our Department. He was passionate about organ donation, and just as he saved countless lives working out of the firehouse, he will continue to save lives in his passing."