"Jason's life was one of service, period. Anyone who works on an ambulance for years and then transitions to the busiest engine company in the nation -- and is still in a good mood -- is all about service," said SFFD Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson.
Cortez's family was presented with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor.
A procession of police and firefighters escorted Cortez's body to Saint Ignatius Church Monday evening. Only Cortez's family and guests with an invitation were allowed inside.
RELATED: SF firefighter dies after falling multiple stories during training incident, SFFD officials say
Cortez joined the San Francisco Fire Department in 2007. On Oct. 7, he was knocked over a third-floor railing by a water blast from a valve he had "inadvertently" opened during a training exercise, authorities said in a preliminary report. The report suggests that coronavirus precautions and restrictions were a contributing factor in Cortez's fall. Engine 3 conducted a pump training operation alone since multi-company drills are suspended due to COVID-19 concerns. Basically, there were four firefighters doing a training drill instead of the usual eight.
The 13-year veteran firefighter and paramedic is survived by his wife and two young children.
VIDEO: Paying respects to late SF firefighter, Jason Cortez
Firefighter dies after training incident, SFFD says