Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) inform the community of the death of our colleague and friend, Terry Eirich, who passed away on Dec. 10, 2025.
In recent months, Terry was diagnosed with cancer while serving as an active Firefighter and Fire Inspector for KVFD and the City of Kearney. This cancer is a presumptive cancer known to effect firefighters at a greater rate than the general public.
Our department, and numerous other Fire Service Organizations continue to push for State and Federal legislation that will recognize presumptive cancer deaths as Line of Duty Deaths. Due to this fact, Terry’s death is being honored by our department with full fire service funeral honors.
In Terry’s 38 years of service, he served the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Kearney, and the Suburban Fire Protection District #1, as a Captain, Assistant Chief, Fire Chief, and as the Fire Inspector for the City of Kearney. Terry also served as a part-time instructor for the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Training Division.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney. We kindly ask that you keep the entire Eirich family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will all miss him more than words can express.
Mayor Jonathan Nikkila has authorized the flags at all City of Kearney buildings to be flown at half-staff, in honor of Terry Eirich, until sunset on Dec. 16, 2025. The Mayor kindly asks the Kearney community to also consider lowering flags to half-staff.
Check out our web site at www.cityofkearney.org.
