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The Mountain View Fire Department is mourning the loss of 36-year-old Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya who died from cancer on July 14.
Affectionately known as “Gabe,” Shamiya served the Mountain View community for nine years, most recently at Fire Station 2 at the corner of Cuesta Drive and Grant Road, according to Mountain View Fire Department spokesperson Robert Maitland.
“He was an exemplary firefighter and paramedic, a valued member of our Honor Guard, and above all, a devoted husband, father, son, and brother,” Maitland said in an emailed statement. “His compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service made him one of the most respected and trusted paramedics in our department.”
Shamiya had cancer for more than two years before he died, Maitland said.
Zeyad Abouata, the board president of the union representing Mountain View firefighters, described Shamiya’s death as a devastating and heartbreaking tragedy.
“Shamiya was a respected member of Local 1965 and someone we were proud to stand beside. His absence is deeply felt by all of us, and he will be missed by all who knew him,” Abouata said in an emailed statement.
Shamiya’s cancer diagnosis was classified as job-related, because it fell within the provisions of a California Labor Code section known as the “cancer presumption statute,” according to Abouata.
“If an active-duty firefighter is diagnosed with cancer, it is presumed to be job related and should be covered under worker’s compensation,” Abouata said. “Gabe’s cancer was accepted under this statute. The employer accepted his claim, provided medical coverage, and issued wage loss benefits.”
City spokesperson Lenka Wright confirmed that the statute can apply to cancer diagnoses and that it helps employees get timely access to benefits and support, but declined to provide specifics on Shamiya’s diagnosis, citing privacy concerns. She also noted that the fire department provides annual cancer screenings for its firefighters and follows National Fire Protection Association recommendations for personal protective equipment and contamination control.
The firefighting profession carries a high risk of exposure to carcinogens, Abouata said, citing a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study that showed firefighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die of cancer than the general U.S. population.
In 2023, Greg Cooper, retired Mountain View fire captain and former union board president, died from job-related cancer and was covered under the same statue as Shamiya, Abouata said. Cooper was 54 years old when he died.
“The loss of both of these individuals is a stark reminder of the long-term dangers firefighters face in the line of duty,” Abouata said. “We honor their memory, their service, and their sacrifice while standing with their families now and always.”
Shamiya is survived by his wife, Ashley, and two-year-old son, Luca. “Gabe’s love for his family was the cornerstone of his life,” Maitland said.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help support the family, raising over $30,000 so far.
Shamiya is being remembered for his “radiant smile, kind heart, and quiet strength,” Maitland said.
“He was not only admired for his technical skills, excellent bedside manner, and calm demeanor under pressure, but also for the warmth and humility he brought to the firehouse every day,” Maitland said.
Mountain View and Santa Clara County officials also paid tribute to Shamiya in a fire department post that received approximately 6,000 reactions on Facebook.
“My heart is so broken by this tragic loss,” wrote Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga. “Gabe was an incredible individual who gave so much to the community and the MVFD family. My most profound condolences to his dear family and MVFD.”
A private memorial service was held for Shamiya on Saturday, Aug. 9 in Burlingame, which was attended by Mountain View Fire Department staff.
Local fire department agencies provided mutual aid assistance so that Mountain View firefighters could attend the memorial service. All five Mountain View fire stations were fully staffed and operational during the service, according to the city.
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