Hundreds of firefighters and civilians poured into a Dobbs Ferry funeral home Wednesday to pay their respects to the Westchester County battalion fire chief who died in the line of duty.

Robert Schnibbe, 57, collapsed and died of heart failure Friday night while coordinating efforts at a fire scene in Irvington. Schnibbe had led the Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Department as chief for 20 years and was appointed Westchester County Battalion Fire Chief in 2003. Mourners at the Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home say Schnibbe?s passing is a mammoth loss to the fire service.

Friends of Schnibbe say he not only encouraged young people to join the fire service, he also shared everything he knew with them and gave them a real solid foundation. His comrades say they will miss the man who dedicated his life to protecting his community.

Related story Westchester battalion fire chief dies in line of duty