ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Allentown Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own.
Chris Kiskeravage, the department’s retired assistant chief for training, died after a long bout with cancer. He was 56.
- Chris Kiskeravage died of cancer at age 56
- He led the Allentown Fire Academy and served 14 years as Allentown's assistant fire chief for training
- Colleagues say his passion for training and the fire service influenced thousands
Kiskeravage led the Allentown Fire Academy and turned it into a top-notch facility known for the intensity and detail of its training, friends said.
He literally made an impact on thousands of firefighters — career service and volunteers — in the Lehigh Valley and beyond, they said.
“He was a natural at it. That was his love,” Allentown Fire Capt. John Christopher said. “The fire service and teaching — the two combined together were his passions.
"And he just did it really well. He loved to pass on knowledge to anyone.”
Kiskeravage came up through the ranks and served as assistant chief in charge of training for 14 years. He retired from Allentown in November 2019 and became South Whitehall Township’s first full-time fire commissioner.
“The fire service and teaching – the two combined together were his passions. And he just did it really well. He loved to pass on knowledge to anyone.”Capt. John Christopher, Allentown Fire Department
Christopher said the academy is a different place today than it was years ago. Kiskeravage is a big reason why, he said.
The department recently completed a major makeover of the Fire Academy and Emergency Operations Center in the 1900 block of Lehigh Street, behind the Mack South Fire Station. It trains firefighters and EMS personnel from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton — as well as other departments from across Pennsylvania. Its rigorous 22-week training ground has gained a reputation as one of the best, Christopher said.
“And he’s the reason because of it,” Christopher said of Kiskeravage. “He pretty much built the academy into what it is now.”
Kiskeravage also worked as an instructor at Bucks County Community College, which has a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.
That enabled Kiskeravage to travel the world training firefighters from other nations — and bring valuable information back home, Christopher said.
P.J. Fortuner learned from Kiskeravage at the academy and served as an instructor with him at Bucks County Community College. He said his death hit hard.
“Everything he did, he dove head-first into,” said Fortuner, who has worked 23 years as a firefighter in Carbondale, Lackawanna County.
“One of the big things with him is he was always willing to lend a hand [to] anybody. He was always there. If you needed to talk, he was there. If you had a problem, he’d come up with a solution. If you needed help, he helped.”
Fortuner, 43, said Kiskeravage made lifelong impressions on his students.
“For me, he was somebody to look up to,” he said. “When I was young and first starting out, wow.
“So many of us saw him as a mentor and kept in touch with him all these years. He was that guy who was willing to help, and help develop you.”
In addition, South Whitehall Township is also mourning Kiskeravage's passing. The municipality announced on its website that it has lowered its flags to half-staff in his honor.
"Chris served as the South Whitehall Township Fire Commissioner since November 2019, following 23 years with the Allentown Fire Department," the statement says.
"Chris provided outstanding leadership, guidance, and education to all who crossed his path. He will be sorely missed and was a true friend."
Funeral services had yet to be announced early Saturday.
