Seattle- On Wednesday March 27, 2013 the Seattle Fire Department will be mourning the loss of Seattle Firefighter Jess Hernandez. The 52-year-old Firefighter Hernandez passed away on March 19, 2013 after battling cancer. Hernandez was about to celebrate his 20 year anniversary with the department.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., a funeral procession begins at the Harvey Funeral Home located at 509 North 36th Street in Fremont. Engine 24 and the Seattle Police Department will escort the casket from the funeral home to Fire Station 2 located at 2320 4th Avenue. Along the procession route several Fire Engine Companies and Ladder Companies will be stationed with their emergency lights activated and the firefighters standing at attention.

Intersections where Firefighters will be staging along the procession route:

1. Fremont Avenue North and Fremont Place
2. Westbound Nickerson Street and 13th Avenue West
3. Southbound 15th Avenue West and West Galer Street
4. Southbound Elliott West and West Mercer Place
5. Fire Station 2 2340 4th Avenue.

At Noon, Engine 24, Engine 2, Battalion Chief SUV and the funeral hearse will depart Station 2 in route to the funeral. The firefighters will travel South on 4th Avenue and turn right and head West on Bell Street. Next the procession will make a left and travel South on 2nd Avenue to the Christ Our Hope Catholic Church located at 1902 2nd Avenue.

At the corner of 2nd and Virginia, Ladder Company 4 and Ladder Company 10 will cross their aerial ladders and hang a large American flag in honor of Firefighter Hernandez.

At 1 p.m. the funeral service for Firefighter Hernandez will take place at Christ Our Hope Catholic Church. The service is expected to last about 90 minutes. The family of Firefighter Hernandez has asked that the funeral remain a private ceremony for family and friends.