Jonathan Lee Ielpi joined us in July of 1989, after serving as a junior firefighter with the Alert Fire Company. He was sworn in on his 17^th birthday, July 15. It was clear to us early on in Jon’s career that he was going to follow in his father Lee’s footsteps. Jon moved his way up the ranks, starting as Second Lieutenant in December 1994.  He quickly advanced and was appointed First Assistant Chief.  He was tragically taken from us at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  He was only 29 years old.

Jon was a person who clearly enjoyed his work as a firefighter, both with us and as a member of the FDNY’s elite Squad 288 in Queens.  He was not only extremely active as a fire officer, but was recognized in 1991, 1992, and 1997 for meritorious
achievement on our ambulance.

Although it is customarily the responsibility of the captains and lieutenants to teach drills, Jon was constantly teaching himself as an assistant chief.  Not because he had to, but because he loved teaching so much.  He enjoyed taking the knowledge he gained as a New York City firefighter and passing it on to the younger members of the
 Vigilant Fire Company.

Jon loved hunting and fishing.  He also loved music by Pink Floyd and Willie Nelson.  The only thing Jon loved as much as firefighting though, was his family.  His wife Yesenia and his two sons Andrew, 9 and Austin, 3 were clearly his pride and joy.

At the December 2001 elections, the members of the Vigilant Fire Company, as a gesture of their love, admiration, and respect posthumously elected Jonathan Lee Ielpi to
 the Office of Chief of Department.

Jon Ielpi’s tragic loss has left a hole in the ranks of the Vigilant Fire Company. 
He will surely be missed.