Heroes Remembered
FDNY pays tribute to the lives of two Bronx firefighters killed in the line of duty
Lieutenant Howard J. Carpluk, Jr. of Engine 42 and Probationary Firefighter Michael C. Reilly of Engine 75 were honored during the Fire Department’s 99th Annual Memorial Day ceremony on October 11.
The solemn service at the Firefighter’s Memorial Monument on the Upper West Side of Manhattan drew more than 7,000 firefighters, family members and friends.
“Your respectful presence here means more than any words I can say,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “As a city we will always remember Lieutenant Carpluk and Firefighter Reilly and all of our bravest who heroically gave their lives so others might live.”
Families of the fallen members received the Medal of Valor from the Department and the Medal of Supreme Sacrifice from the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.
Thousands gathered at the Firefighter's Memorial Monument for FDNY Memorial Day on October 11. The ceremony honored Lt. Howard Carpluk and FF Michael Reilly as well as nine other FDNY members who have died in the last year.
Also honored were nine active members who died in the past year: Lieutenant Reinaldo Natal; Firefighters Micah Bumb, Thomas Sweetman, Jr., William Moran and Daniel Feltham; Paramedics Deborah Reeve and Gregory Serena; and EMTs Felix Hernandez, Jr. and Paul Langa.
Then before the crowd of active and retired members began to march up Riverside Drive, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta told the families of Lieutenant Carpluk and Firefighter Reilly:
“Today, the word ‘sacrifice’ takes on a very real and painful meaning. But please know that the thousands of firefighters attending this ceremony are here for you – and for every family that has lost someone in the line of duty. You are now, and will always be, part of the FDNY family.”
Chief of Department Salvatore Casssano praised firefighters for their loyalty to each other and the community: “In the evolution of the Fire Department, one thing has never changed, and that is you – the firefighters. Your dedication and commitment is second to none.”
A Dark Day: August 27, 2006
Lieutenant Carpluk and Firefighter Reilly were fatally injured after fighting a three-alarm fire at 1575 Walton Avenue in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx on August 27. The firefighters became trapped after the floor of a one-story, 99-cent store collapsed into the basement.
They were transported to Bronx Lebanon Hospital, where Firefighter Reilly succumbed to his injuries on August 27. Lieutenant Carpluk later was transferred to the cardiac support center in Montefiore Medical Center where he died on August 28.
Three others – Battalion Chief Thomas Auer, and Firefighters John Grasso and Wayne Walters – were injured in the collapse. They were taken to area hospitals in serious condition and were released.
The Courageous Proby
Firefighter Reilly was laid to rest on September 1 after a funeral mass at St. Paul R.C. Church in his hometown of Ramsey, New Jersey. Thousands of firefighters lined the streets of the small town to honor the life of the proby who graduated from the Fire Academy on July 6.
Firefighters salute fallen Firefighter Michael Reilly during his
funeral procession in Ramsey, New Jersey.
“Those who served with Michael all use the same phrase, ‘He was squared away,’” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “In a profession that demands bravery, skill, self-discipline, ‘squared away’ are words of the highest praise.”
And although he was a proby in the FDNY, Firefighter Reilly had been involved in fire service since the age of 16. He worked as a volunteer for the Ramsey Rescue Squad and Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department before taking a paid firefighting job in Stratford, Connecticut and rising to the rank of lieutenant.
He was also a marine reservist who served a tour of duty in Iraq. “His lifelong dream was to become a firefighter, always wanting to help people in harm’s way,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “He applied to the FDNY to succeed in the greatest fire department in the world, and we will be forever grateful that he chose us.”
In Proby School last spring, Firefighter Reilly was chosen as a squad leader and everyone, from his classmates to the instructors, noted that they immediately saw his potential.
“He was dedicated, he was determined, he loved the job and he was a leader,” said Firefighter Matthew Crowley of Ladder 23, who became friends with Firefighter Reilly at the Academy. “You didn’t want to disappoint him.”
Captain Robert Alfieri recalled the Proby’s courage and talent. “Most of the men that come to Engine 75 come highly recommended,” said Captain Alfieri. “Michael was no exception.”
Firefighter Reilly is survived by his parents, Michael and Monica, his brother, Kevin and his sister, Erin.
The Fearless Senior Man
Lieutenant Carpluk was laid to rest on September 2 after a funeral mass at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Islip, Long Island. More than 10,000 firefighters stood in windswept rain to pay tribute to the hero.
“What I thought I knew about Howie was that he touched many people. But what I’ve learned … is that he not only touched these people, he embraced them,” she said. “I’d love to hear as many Howie stories as I can. May our memories help us all.”
Lieutenant Howard Carpluk is mourned by thousands of family and friends in Islip, Long Island.
She remembered her husband as the consummate father to their children Bradley, 14, and Paige, 10, and a bright light to anyone who knew him.
Many also remembered him as a talented firefighter. Lieutenant Carpluk received two citations for bravery, including one award for a heroic rescue on March 30, 1988, when he saved the lives of two unconscious men he found in the bedroom of a fire-engulfed apartment in the Bronx.
Lieutenant Carpluk graduated from the Academy in 1986 and went to work at Ladder 31 before being promoted to lieutenant in 1999. He then worked out of Battalion 18 before moving to Engine 42 in 2002.
Friend and colleague Lieutenant Steve Wall said when Lieutenant Carpluk was assigned to Engine 42, his “easy-going manner and quick wit quickly won us over.”
Many also cited him for being the keystone that held the firehouse together after the attacks of September 11, and others remembered him as the bridge between the old and new generations at the house.
Commissioner Scoppetta added that his compassion and love for the job were evident every day.
“Howie’s competitiveness made him strive for excellence. And he succeeded,” he said. “He was good at everything he put his mind to … And he was a superb firefighter because he had that added edge – and because he loved it so.”
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New Operations Center Unveiled at Headquarters
Last month, the Department officially unveiled its new $17 million, state-of-the-art Operations Center (FDOC) at Headquarters. Uniformed members working in the new FDOC monitor all emergency responses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the facility serves as a command center for the Chief of Department or his designee to manage large-scale or multiple incidents. Built with the most advanced technology available to first responders, the FOC is a ground-breaking, innovative new tool in the FDNY’s arsenal.
The FDOC brings more accurate information to the fire ground than ever before, while providing the Department with a remote command post in the event of a major disaster. From using computerized maps of nearby fire hydrants and subway lines to monitoring multiple radio frequencies, members in the FDOC can now share critical data with incident commanders, enabling them to lead a more effective response. As a result, our incident commanders are better equipped and informed when sending firefighters and EMS members to an emergency situation.
Our new Operations Center is the result of recommendations made in the McKinsey Report, the consulting firm that analyzed the city’s response to the September 11 attacks. It suggested we increase our capabilities to handle all types of emergencies, namely improvements to our communications and tracking technologies. Yet we have gone above and beyond those recommendations – developing an unprecedented information hub that will enable us to learn almost anything about a building’s structure, history or use.
These capabilities were put to use during the airplane crash on October 11, when a small plane hit an apartment building on East 72nd Street, as well as the major gas explosion that leveled an East 62nd Street building on July 10. FDOC personnel retrieved archived photographs of the buildings within seconds – assisting incident commanders with descriptions of the structures and their use. They were able to quickly ascertain which subway and bus lines ran near the sites and determine which needed to be suspended. Live Police Department helicopter feeds also were being monitored for potential hazards.
Uniformed members working in the new FDOC monitor all emergency responses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To better facilitate the exchange of information among FDNY units and other agencies, high-tech communication tools are also an integral part of the new center. The FDOC now receives and transmits on several radio frequencies, including the NYPD, and is linked to two telephone exchanges should one be damaged for any reason. Every radio transmission and telephone call that comes into the center is recorded and can be played back – so important information is never lost during a crisis.
The center also has been constructed to support two new technologies that will help members in the FDOC more quickly gather information about the status, location and operations of firefighters in the field. The Automatic Vehicle Location system (AVL) currently monitors the location of all ambulances in the city, and soon all fire rigs will be tracked in the same way. In the near future, the Department also plans on employing Electronic Command Boards (ECB’s) in a pilot program, so incident commanders can see most of the data accessed in the FDOC and transmit updates back via the command boards. This revolutionary way of sharing information will greatly improve operations and keep all of us better informed.
In addition to the Emergency Operations Center, which oversees the day-to-day operations, the facility also includes the Incident Support Center, where our Incident Management Teams will convene in the event of a large-scale disaster.
Led by Deputy Assistant Chief John Coloe, the new FDOC is an incredible tool and will serve as a model for fire departments around the world. It proves the innovation of our members, as well as their dedication to protect the greatest city in the world. I would like to especially thank Deputy Commissioner Milton Fischberger, David Litvin, Kevin Jones, Joe Mastropietro, Horatio Mauri, Capt. Kevin Munnelly, Deputy Assistant Chief Joe Pfeifer, Donald Stanton and Terry Woods for their tireless efforts.
Thank you all for your hard work and stay safe.
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Like Father, Like Son
Proby class includes numerous Department legacies
Call it the Proby Graduation reunion.
FDNY Chief of Special Operations John Norman, retired Battalion Chief Philip Parr and retired Firefighter Joseph D’Amico all graduated from the Fire Academy together in 1979.
And on September 12, they reunited to celebrate the graduation of their sons Probationary Firefighters John Norman, Jr., Paul Parr and Anthony D’Amico, who were among the 175 graduates at Proby Graduation at Brooklyn College.
Three veteran firefighters, who graduated from the Academy together in 1979, gathered again for the graduation of their sons on September 12. (L to R) FF John Norman, Jr., Chief John Norman, retired BC Philip Parr, FF Paul Parr, FF Anthony D’Amico and retired FF Joseph D’Amico.
“Members of the FDNY inspire the world with their bravery,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “It’s a tough job, but a fun job. I’ve never met a firefighter that didn’t love his or her job.”
Another Department legacy who graduated during the ceremony was Probationary Firefighter Devin Reilly. He joins his father Battalion Chief William Reilly, and brothers Firefighter Chris Reilly of Engine 45 and Firefighter Justin Reilly of Engine 75 on the job.
Probationary Firefighter Michael McNally, nephew of Chief of Operations Patrick McNally, was also among the graduates.
“The job has changed, the city has changed, the world has changed, but the one thing that hasn’t changed over the years is you, the firefighters,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.
The class was praised for its hard work and dedication, but also for its compassion. They served as honor guard at the September 11 memorial service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the fifth anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center site.
Fire Promotions: Ten captains and 45 lieutenants were promoted in a ceremony at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center on August 24.
They also offered assistance at the funerals of Lieutenant Howard Carpluk, Jr. and Firefighter Michael Reilly, who died after battling a Bronx fire on August 27. And the group raised $3,000 for the firefighters’ families.
“You have already shown the care and commitment to each other that is the strength of this Department,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “The Department is already proud of you. You have learned that your greatest strength on the job is each other.”
This class had two valedictorians, Probationary Firefighters John Norman and Salvatore Scafuri, who were joined on the stage by class Salutatorian Paul Hoekzema and the Physical Fitness Award winner Raymond Cuadrado.
The group also included 12 members who served in the military, including four who completed a tour of duty in Iraq. All of the graduates were assigned to firehouses throughout the city.
“Experience will be your best teacher,” said Commissioner Scoppetta. “It is a tough one because it gives the test first and the lesson afterward. But the lessons you learn from those experiences, from those tests, are so much more memorable.”
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Becoming Heroes, Saving Lives
81 new paramedics and EMTs graduate from the EMS Academy
Paramedics and EMTs take the Oath of Geneva during their graduation ceremony on September 15.
They helped deliver a baby, save a child trapped by a bus and rescue the victim of a dog attack – all while still in training.
And after eight weeks instruction and real-world experience, nine paramedics and 72 EMTs joined the ranks at EMS Graduation at Randall’s Island on September 15.
“These are individuals who are willing to make sacrifices in order to pursue a career helping others,” said Chief of EMS John Peruggia. “They are not ordinary people. They are tomorrow’s heroes.”
He noted that the graduates were dedicated and driven, qualities many may have picked up from their family members who are in the Department.
“It is such an honor to wear the FDNY uniform and follow all the first responders who came before us,” said Paramedic Kristin Heinz, who was congratulated by her husband, Firefighter Dan Smith of Ladder 129.
EMS Deputy Chief Eric Espeut, a 32-year veteran of the Command, beamed as he watched his daughter, EMT Chaunte Williams, follow in his footsteps.
EMS Promotions: Three captains were promoted to the rank of deputy chief and 16 paramedics and EMTs were promoted to lieutenant in a ceremony at Randall’s Island on August 7. Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta noted that three of the newly promoted deputy chiefs each had more than 22 years on the job and “helped shape today’s EMS Command.”
“It’s a great thing any time one of your children makes their own choice to pursue the same profession you have come to love,” said Chief Espeut.
And as each member took to the stage to accept their new position, the packed crowd of family and friends cheered wildly.
“We are at our best when patients are in their most dire need,” said First Deputy Commissioner Frank Cruthers.
Academic Awards went to Paramedic Justin Young and EMTs Haralambos Saltas and John Louis.
And after speeches by Paramedic Heinz and EMTs David Israeli and Thomas Ordway, the class presented its instructors with the traditional plaque, as well as a few gag gifts, including socks and Devil Dogs.
“Be proud of your profession, maintain your sense of duty and maintain your sense of humor,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano. “It will get you through anything.”
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Help Our Troops Keep Their Cool
Bendick said FDNY members can even ship their company patches to be sewn onto the front of the vests.
Summers in Iraq can be brutal. Temperatures can soar up to 120 degrees under cloudless skies. And wearing combat gear inside armored tanks can make things even hotter.
That’s why retired FDNY Captain John Bendick of Engine 23 says he needs your help.
He is asking all FDNY members to donate to the Trevor Win’E Memorial Fund.
The charity collects donations to purchase cooling vests for members of the armed forces stationed in Iraq.
The vests cost $130 apiece and contain lightweight, reusable chemical packs that freeze and are made of a fabric that repels heat. The tan vests are then worn underneath military body armor to keep soldiers a little cooler in the brutal heat.
Generally, the vests are sent to military units in bundles of 10 or 12 so every member has the option of wearing one. And when the vests are shipped, a letter is included identifying the donor and asking the recipient to leave it behind when he or she returns home, so other soldiers can use it.
Bendick said FDNY members can even ship their company patches to be sewn onto the front of the vests.
“Knowing members of the FDNY donated the vests is a great morale booster,” he added.
Bendick and his family became involved in the fundraising drive last year after he met Debi Win’E, who created the charity. She is a mother from California whose 22-year-old son, Trevor, was killed when his armored vehicle hit an explosive device near Mosul, Iraq.
She said her son greatly appreciated a vest she had purchased for him just days before his death, and now she wants to give all soldiers the same gift. She has already helped donate more than 850 vests and hopes to send even more.
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Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Fire Department and EMS Command celebrated at Keyspan Park
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano throws out the first pitch at a Cyclones game on FDNY Night at Keyspan Park.
FDNY Night at Cyclone Stadium
It was a celebration of the Fire Department, as members of the FDNY and their families celebrated the 6th Annual FDNY Night at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn on August 4.
More than 9,000 guests were treated to a fireboat water display, fire safety demonstrations and music by FDNY bagpipers.
Children of FDNY members also got the opportunity to stand on the field next to Cyclone players during the singing of the National Anthem by Firefighter Regina Wilson of Engine 219.
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano threw out the first pitch – beginning an exciting game where the Cyclones defeated the Tri-City Valley Cats with a score of 9-5.
Proceeds from the night’s ticket sales went to support the Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund, which gives the families of active and deceased firefighters assistance with the cost of higher education.
Children of EMS members stand on the field with Cyclones players as EMT Brian Smith sings the national anthem on EMS Night at Keyspan Park.
EMS Night at Cyclone Stadium
More than 300 members of the EMS Command celebrated EMS Night at Keyspan Park on August 14.
The night kicked off with two exhibition softball games, pitting members of EMS Station 39 and other members of the EMS Command against officers from the NYPD’s 75th Precinct. The police officers won both games in close contests.
The Cyclones game kicked off with EMT Ron Capers from Station 39 singing the national anthem and EMT Brian Smith performing on the saxophone as children of EMS members stood on the field alongside the baseball players.
EMS Chief Janice Olszewski of Division 5 threw out the first pitch of the game. Unfortunately the first-place Cyclones lost the game to the Batavia Muckdogs 7-3.
A portion of the night’s ticket proceeds was donated to the Uniformed EMS Widows and Orphans Fund.
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Five Years Later
FDNY marks the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
with solemn tributes throughout the city
The fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks was marked with solemn tributes throughout the city, remembering the 2,749 lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.
From the Bronx to Staten Island, Fire Department members took part in memorials large and small, commemorating the tragic events of the day and remembering all the individuals who gave their lives.
“Members of this Department who gave their all that day gave every firefighter and EMS worker the conviction and the will to carry on,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “It is important to remember their sacrifice, and it is also important to remember their courage, their uncommon devotion to duty. These qualities will guide and inspire future generations of firefighters and EMS personnel.”
Family members and friends raise photos of their loved ones at the World Trade Center site during the annual memorial on September 11, 2006.
World Trade Center Memorial
Commissioner Scoppetta, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, First Deputy Commissioner Frank Cruthers and Chief of Operations Patrick McNally began the day by placing a wreath at the base of the Firefighter’s Monument on Riverside Drive before heading to the World Trade Center site for the city’s memorial service.
Spouses, partners and significant others read the names of those lost, as family members walked down the ramp and into the pit to pay their respects.
Thousands prayed and reminisced around a small reflecting pool located where the North Tower once stood. They laid flowers, photographs and other mementos in the water and wrote tiny notes in marker along the wood planks surrounding the pool. Some planted flowers in the gravel of the Tower’s footprint.
“We have come to remember the incredible lives of the 2,749 people who were lost here five years ago,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Department members, family and friends also gathered at the FDNY’s September 11 Memorial outside Engine 10/Ladder 10 on Liberty Street to make rubbings of their loved ones’ names and quietly reflect on the day.
Bells tolled at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m., the times the planes hit the Towers, as well as 9:59 and 10:29 a.m., the times the Towers collapsed.
Among those paying their respects at the site were Senator Hillary Clinton, New York Governor George Pataki and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Mayor Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
And the somber day of remembrance concluded once again with the “Tribute in Light.” From dusk until dawn, two beams of light illuminated the skies of Lower Manhattan, symbolizing the Towers and honoring the lives of those lost.
Yet, although the day was emotional, it was also filled with hope.
“In the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, any of us would have been hard pressed to answer the question, ‘Where will we be five years from now,’” said Commissioner Scoppetta. “But now, I think the answer is, ‘Right where we want to be’ – stronger, wiser and better than ever at being the greatest fire department in the world.”
Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano lay a wreath at the Firefighter’s Memorial in Manhattan.
Firefighter’s Memorial
More than 3,000 firefighters and their families paid tribute at the Firefighter’s Memorial Monument on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to honor their own on the anniversary of the tragedy.
“The entire event is focused on the members who died and their families,” said Firefighter Bill Riccardulli of Engine 45, who is one of the event’s organizers. “It’s not about an individual person. It’s about the group.”
During the ceremony, 12 firefighters read the 343 names as a bell tolled in their honor. The tribute also included prayer, a wreath laying and the observance of two moments of silence marking the times Towers fell.
The annual ceremony began four years ago in an effort to give firefighters and their families a place to pay their respects. And organizers say they try to keep it as simple as possible.
Yet each year it has grown in size. This year, in addition to the hundreds of Department members in attendance, firefighters from Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and England and from cities including Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles also attended the ceremony. A contingent of Marines also attends the event every year.
EMS Memorial at Fort Totten
A tribute to the members of all uniformed services who responded to the World Trade Center five years ago was held at the EMS Training Academy at Fort Totten.
“The uniforms that we wear do not distinguish one agency from another as much as bind us together,” said Chief of EMS Training J. P. Martin. “We should respect one another for the importance of the unique tasks we each perform, and be ever vigilant, because the risks inherent in providing emergency services never go away.”
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(Left) EMS Lt. Robert White, a member of the EMS Pipes and Drums Band, salutes the 9/11 Memorial at the EMS Academy in Fort Totten.
(Right) Lt. Joe Huber, L-38, reads the names of FDNY members lost on 9/11 as (L to R) FF Jerry Heart, E-45; FF Butch Jahoda, L-58; and retired FF Mark Wesseldine, L-58; toll a bell in their memory at the Firefighter's Monument memorial. |
More than 300 EMS members, as well as other uniformed members, family and friends gathered at the Academy’s 9/11 Memorial for a ceremony that included music by the FDNY’s EMS Pipes and Drums Band, a prayer led by honorary Chaplain Father Joel Warden, and a quiet reflection.
Those in attendance placed flowers at the memorial, which names all uniformed members who died on September 11, 2001. They also ceremonially watered two evergreens that were planted in memory of Paramedics Carlos Lillo and Ricardo Quinn, who perished in the tragedy.
“This was conceived as a living monument to preserve the memories they left all of us,” said Chief of EMS Command John Peruggia. “So we never forget.”
Two moments of silence were also observed, marking the times the planes hit the Twin Towers.
President Bush’s to ‘Fort Pitt’
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush spent the morning of the anniversary at a breakfast in the quarters of Engine 15/Ladder 18/Battalion 4 in Lower Manhattan.
President George Bush and his wife, Laura, stand outside the “Fort Pitt” for a memorial service on 9/11. Beside them stands the door of the rig the members of Ladder 18 used to respond to the attacks.
The President joined approximately 100 people on the company’s apparatus floor. Among those in attendance were on-duty firefighters, New York City police officers, Port Authority police officers, court officers, several members from Division 1 and family members of several individuals lost on September 11, 2001.
President Bush visited with numerous members throughout the morning, speaking with them about everything from baseball to jogging before heading outside for a memorial service. The tribute included readings by chaplains from the three uniformed departments, as well as musical tributes by members of each group.
Two moments of silence were also observed in honor of the times the two planes hit the Towers.
On September 10 the President and First Lady also laid a wreath at the World Trade Center site and visited the quarters of Engine 10/Ladder 10 in Lower Manhattan.
Monsignor John Delendick said a prayer as Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano plant a cherry tree outside Headquarters on 9/11.
Tribute at
Headquarters
A special ceremony was held to honor the memory of all members who responded to the World Trade Center from Headquarters on September 11, 2001, including Deputy Fire Commissioner William Feehan, Chief of Department Peter Ganci, Assistant Chief Gerard Barbara and Assistant Chief Donald Burns.
“The Department members who made the Supreme Sacrifice taught us courage, duty and wisdom – three tremendous and timeless gifts that will be the pillars of this Department as we continue to move forward,” said Commissioner Scoppetta.
More than 100 people attended the ceremony in the auditorium, which included a video presentation with personal reflections and photographs of the beloved Deputy Commissioner and three Chiefs. Firefighter Daniel Walker provided a musical tribute.
Flower arrangements and a wreath were placed beside the memorial wall in the lobby of 9 Metrotech, honoring all Department members who have died in the line of duty.
And in remembrance of all those who made the Supreme Sacrifice while responding to the World Trade Center from Headquarters, Commissioner Scoppetta and Chief Cassano planted a cherry tree outside the building that was donated by Forest City Ratner Companies and First New York Partners.
“On 9/11 we experienced one death, 343 times,” said FDNY Chaplain John Delendick. “A piece of us is buried at the Trade Center. We have to learn how to raise ourselves up from the dead.”
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Paying their Respects
FDNY members chose many unique ways to mark the fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. Here is a quick look at some of the smaller tributes and remembrances that celebrated the lives of those lost on September 11, 2001.
‘New York Says Thank You’
In an effort to repay the generosity all Americans demonstrated in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, 20 firefighters and 20 other volunteers from New York traveled to DeGonia Springs, Indiana, to give back on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.
Firefighters from Engines 16, 74, 76 and 216 and Ladders 51 and 22 traveled with the New York Says Thank You Foundation to help re-build a 160-year-old church destroyed by a tornado on November 6, 2005.
And within two days, the group was able to reframe the 14,000-square-foot church.
“It’s our turn to help others,” said Firefighter Kevin Atkinson of Engine 16. “It feels great to be able to give back.”
He added that he was overwhelmed by their reception in the community. People were waving flags and asking the firefighters to sign autographs for children, he said.
“Every minute I was there, I treasured it,” added Firefighter Thomas Brown of Engine 74. “I hope to be able to do it again.”
To learn more about the program, you can visit their website at www.newyorksaysthankyou.org.
Fire Museum
The New York City Fire Museum held a special ceremony September 8, in honor of the fifth anniversary of the attacks.
The family of the late Firefighter Daniel Suhr of Engine 216 stood to represent all FDNY families as they joined Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta in laying a wreath next to the Museum’s black marble September 11 memorial. The memorial includes the pictures of all FDNY members lost in the attacks.
“They responded to the worst possible disaster and showed the best of humanity under the worst of circumstances,” said Commissioner Scoppetta.
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano also placed a firefighter’s helmet -- with the number 343 listed on the front piece -- at the memorial as family and friends laid dozens of red and white carnations in their honor.
Inside, the Museum featured an exhibit, “The Faces of Ground Zero” by photographer Joe McNally, which featured life-size images of many first responders, survivors and family members of the victims.
Memorial Quilts
America’s 9/11 Memorial Quilts Organization presented the FDNY with two quilts at a dedication ceremony on September 8 at the World Financial Center.
The FDNY and EMS inspired memorial quilts include the names and likenesses of all members of Department who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11. In total, the group created six quilts honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit www.911memorialquilts.com.
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A Solemn Tribute
Thousands of family members gather to honor the
FDNY members lost at the World Trade Center
Family members of the 343 Department members who died on 9/11 light their candles as a symbol of hope during a memorial at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on September 10.
It was a day to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present and think about the future. But most of all, it was a day to remember all those lost.
The 343 FDNY members who made the Supreme Sacrifice on September 11, 2001, were honored by more than 2,500 family, friends and colleagues at an interfaith service at Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral on September 10.
“Perhaps the best we can do on this fifth anniversary of that sorrowful day is to remember, again and always, our members’ selfless sacrifice, enormous bravery and courage,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said.
He joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano in paying tribute to the lives lost in the tragedy as well as those who carry on.
“Our members’ courage and leadership have been talked about,” said Chief Cassano. “But what we don’t hear about is their tremendous capacity for love. These are private memories. It is those memories that have brought us this far and will continue to be with us. They, though now gone from this earth, continue to give us hope.”
Reverend Christopher Keenan, Reverend Joseph Hoffman, Reverend Monsignor Marc Filacchione, Reverend Monsignor John Delendick, Reverend Stephen Harding and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik delivered prayers and offered inspirational words to the crowd. And choral presentations and a musical tribute by Irish tenor Ronan Tynan highlighted the emotional ceremony.
As family members left the service, 343 firefighters held flags on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to honor the lives of FDNY members lost on September 11, 2001.
Hundreds of firefighters, friends and passersby also gathered outside the cathedral to watch the ceremony on Jumbo-trons.
“The compassion, courage and resilience that define the FDNY are part of what makes New York the great city it is,” Mayor Bloomberg said.
As the memorial was brought to a close, five family members walked candles down each of the church’s aisles, as those in the pews held up their own electric candles, in a symbol of hope.
The FDNY’s Emerald Society’s Pipe and Drums led the colors and the celebrants from the Cathedral, where they were met by 343 firefighters lining the sidewalks holding American flags in tribute to the lives lost in the tragedy.
“We celebrate those lost and thank those firefighters still with us, for ensuring the Department’s great tradition of courage and compassion are carried on,” said Chief Cassano.
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Leading the Charge for Discipline
New BITs Commissioner has Fire Department roots
Assistant Commissioner Robert Wallace wants to know as few members of the Department as possible.
As the new head of the Bureau of Investigations and Trials (BITs), Assistant Commissioner Wallace wants to ensure that discipline is rare. “We don’t want to meet you,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Wallace
Although Assistant Commissioner Wallace joined the FDNY in July, he grew up in a family of firefighters and police officers and is familiar with the culture of the City’s uniformed services.
His grandfather, George Wallace, served as a captain in the FDNY. His uncle, Thomas Wallace, was a Battalion Chief in Battalion 35 and another uncle, Michael Wallace, was a firefighter in Engine 251. In addition, his father, William Wallace, retired as Deputy Chief after a 35-year career in the NYPD.
“There were always lively conversations around our dinner table about what agency was better,” he said.
And although there was some urging for him to join one of the City’s uniformed services, he ultimately chose a different path, and pursued a career in law.
“I always thought of law as just another way I could help people,” he said.
A lifelong Staten Island resident, Assistant Commissioner Wallace also has spent a great deal of time on the other side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Brooklyn.
In 1993 he received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in political science from Brooklyn College and his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School four years later.
“I followed the ‘My Cousin Vinnie’ plan,” he joked.
He was a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney for six years and joined the Department of Homeless Services in 2003, where he represented the agency in ongoing litigation concerning the City’s treatment of homeless families.
He eventually headed the department’s disciplinary unit, which he said prepared him for his new role at BITs.
“I think if BITs does its job well, it can improve morale,” he said. “The workforce is better served if there are consequences for inappropriate behavior.”
His staff of 28 attorneys and support personnel handle allegations ranging from time and leave abuses to physical assault. The more serious cases, involving possible criminal behavior, are referred to the Department of Investigation.
If investigators substantiate allegations, charges are levied and penalties are imposed.
Employees can accept the discipline or have the case referred to the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, which is New York City’s judicial tribunal.
BITs also enforces the Department’s zero tolerance policy against drugs, conducting random testing and inspections for alcohol and narcotics at firehouses.
Yet even though his job usually reveals members at their worst, Assistant Commissioner Wallace said he believes that the vast majority of FDNY members are outstanding role models for public service. He added that he has great respect for the work members of the Fire and EMS Commands perform each day.
He said he is very proud to be part of the FDNY family and tries to balances his time with his own family. He and his wife, Cathryn, have three daughters, Kelly, 5, Heather, 2, and Isabelle, 1.
And he noted that his father, the veteran cop, “is very thrilled that I am working here.”
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Photo of the Month
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Running for a cause: In its most successful year yet, the annual Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run kicked off on September 23. More than 10,000 firefighters, family members and friends ran the 5K race through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. The race is held each year to remember Firefighter Siller of Squad 1, who ran through the tunnel in full gear on September 11, 2001 to respond to the World Trade Center attack. Firefighters lined the tunnel holding flags and wearing photographs of the 343 FDNY members that died in the attacks. Among the top finishers in this year’s race were Firefighters Ken Bohan, Stephen Abruzzo and Tom Verderosa as well as a team from Engine 34/Ladder 21. |
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