Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Samantha I. Lugo (212) 788-9364
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today unveiled a plaque dedicating the playground at Public School 209, in Queens, to the memory of hero Firefighter Thomas Wylie who died in the line of duty in 1995.
"I am honored to be here today to dedicate this playground to the memory of Thomas Wylie, one of New York's Bravest, and a hero to the people of New York City. A hero who did not hesitate to lay down his life in service to the people of this City. As a firefighter, he demonstrated his love for his community and the City in the way he lived, and ultimately the way he died. And today, we are returning that spirit in kind," the Mayor said.
"This playground, which only a few years ago was in a sad state of disrepair, has been transformed into a wonderful and inviting place for children. This is a great show of love for this community. It is also a fitting tribute to the memory of Firefighter Wylie that we dedicate this beautiful new playground on his birthday," the Mayor added.
Joining the Mayor for the dedication ceremony were Firefighter Wylie's mother, Christine Wylie, his wife Randy Wylie, his children Joseph, Rachel and Amanda; Queens Borough President Claire Shulman; First Deputy Fire Commissioner, William Feehan; School Superintendent, Dr. Arthur Greenberg; School Board President, Sally Conn; and Firefighter Wylie's friends and colleagues.
Firefighter Wylie died on January 3, 1995 of injuries sustained while battling a two-alarm fire at 23 Rutgers Street in Lower Manhattan on December 27, 1994. Wylie was the first firefighter to lose his life in 1995 and the 759th member of the Fire Department to die while on duty.
Since the introduction of protective bunker gear, fire injuries to firefighters have declined 67 percent. Fire-related deaths in New York City have reached a four-decade low, due in part to the Fire Department's improved and expanded fire education and safety programs. Civilian fire deaths in New York City have fallen 22 percent since 1991 and have reached levels not seen in four decades. Last year's total of 145 deaths represents the lowest number of civilian fire-related deaths in the City since 1959, when there were 124. In 1996, there were 149 deaths. The enhanced fire education programs, the use of protective bunker gear by firefighters and the Certified First Responder Program, which provides immediate life-saving defibrillation for victims of fire, have all played role in this reduction.
Thomas Wylie attended Public School 209 in Whitestone, as do his children.