New York City Fire Chief who oversaw the 9/11 rescue effort dies at 63 of cancer related to his work at Ground Zero. The New York Fire Chief who oversaw the rescue efforts following the 9/11 terrorist attacks has died at the age of 63. Ronald R. Spadafora, a 40-year veteran of the Fire Department, succumbed to cancer related to his work at Ground Zero on Saturday. He is the 178th officer to die of World Trade Center-related illnesses, according to the New York City Fire.