Curt Ritter 212-788-2971
Mike Regan 718-694-2056 (FDNY)
MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN HONOR THE MEMORY OF NEW YORK CITY'S BRAVEST
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today honored the memory of twenty-one New York City active firefighters who died this past year. The Mayor praised the dedication and commitment of the twenty-one firefighters, all of whom died while off duty, during a memorial service at the Firemen's Monument on West 100th Street and Riverside Drive.
"Today we remember New York's bravest and pay special tribute to the twenty-one active firefighters who died this past year," said Mayor Giuliani. "Each year when we visit this memorial we remember the brave firefighters who risked their lives each day for the citizens of this City. It is our duty to see that they are not forgotten and are recognized for their courage and commitment. While we are grateful that no firefighter lost his life in the line of duty this year, we still feel the special loss of those who are no longer with us."
Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen said, "Today as we assemble in front of this monument to our heroic firefighters we pay tribute to not only the 764 firefighters who have made the supreme sacrifice in the discharge of their duties, but all those firefighters who have departed our company. While we are grateful not to have had a line of duty death in the past year, we are saddened by the loss of twenty-one members of our Fire Department family."
Over the last four years the Giuliani Administration and the New York City Fire Department have made a concerted effort to reduce the number of fire fatalities in the City. In May of 1994 bunker gear was issued to all members of the New York City Fire Department, affording the members of the department the protection and security they need to rescue victims -- reducing the number of serious injuries and burns to firefighters by 70 percent. The introduction of the Certified First Responder Program (CFR-D) has furnished firefighters with basic medical training and life-saving defibrillators, enabling the Department to provide New Yorkers with a vital link in the chain of survival. Through its Fatal Fire Team/Smoke Detector Give-Away Program the Fire Department distributes smoke detectors to one- and two-family homes. As a result of these efforts, in 1996 the City experienced a 37 year low in civilian fire-related deaths. Since January of this year, civilian fire fatalities have fallen by 12 percent, and by 23 percent over the last four years. In conjunction with these advances, later this week the Fire Department will relocate its headquarters and 911 Emergency Center to the state-of-the-art MetroTech Center in Brooklyn.
The Fire Department also plays a vital role in the Mayor's Quality-of-Life Nightclub Enforcement Task Force. This multi-agency group targeted 71 nightclubs in Brooklyn and Queens for inspection over the past year to ensure that all City and State fire regulations are followed. The Task Force hopes to prevent future tragedies such as the 1990 fire at the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx, where 87 people died.
During the memorial service, Mayor Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Von Essen, joined by Joseph A. Casaburi Chief of Department, Kevin Gallagher President of the United Firefighters Association and Jack McDonnell President of the United Firefighters Officers Association, placed wreaths at the monument before pausing for a moment of silence.
The twenty-one members of the New York City Fire Department who have died since October 1, 1996 include:
Firefighter Harry P. Barnych of Chester
Lieutenant John G. Bauer of Brooklyn
Lieutenant David W. Berg of Highland Hills
Firefighter Philip C. Berkowitz of Mineola
Lieutenant James A. Burke of St. James
Firefighter Michael Burke of Briarcliff
Firefighter Timothy S. Craig of Seaford
Battalion Chief Richard T. Cunningham of Hopewell
Lieutenant Michael F. Detrano of Syosset
Firefighter James V. Halversen of Centerreach
Firefighter John P. Hannon of the Bronx
Firefighter Peter V. Legari of Staten Island
Firefighter Paul Leonardi, Jr. of Mastic
Firefighter John O. Martinson of Staten Island
Firefighter Anthony C. Morena of Maspeth
Firefighter Gustave A. Peterson of Bellerose, Queens
Battalion Chief Robert R. Tuner of Brooklyn
Firefighter Joseph A. Valente of Forest Hills, Queens
Lieutenant Louis J. Visconti of Wappinger Falls
Firefighter James V. Waring of Mahopac
Firefighter Thomas J. Zazulka of Staten Island
Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Statement | Site Map