Mayor de Blasio, FDNY, NYPD Hold Memorial Service on Anniversary of West Side Terror Attack
October 31, 2018
On Wednesday, October 31, Mayor Bill de Blasio, FDNY members, and NYPD members commemorated the one year anniversary of the West Side Highway terrorist attack with a wreath laying ceremony attended by families of those killed in the attack. The ceremony was held at the intersection of West Street and Chambers Street, the site where the truck used in the attack crashed into a school bus, and the attacker was apprehended by police. Eight people were killed in that day, and 12 additional people were seriously injured.
“This was a moment that shocked us all and pained us all. We lost good souls that day, New Yorkers and visitors alike. And we’re here today to remember them, mourn them, and stand in solidarity with their families and their nations,” said Mayor de Blasio. “That day, it didn’t matter what uniform you were wearing, everyone worked in common cause, whether you were NYPD, FDNY, OEM, or Parks Department.”
“This was an attack on our entire city – those who live here, and those who come here to work and to visit. It was a tragic loss of life, but would have been far worse without the brave members of the FDNY and the NYPD who rushed in, subdued a terrorist, and worked to treat and triage the victims,” said FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.
On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, FDNY units were called to an accident between a truck and a school bus at the intersection of West Street and Chambers Street. As they responded down the West Side Highway, they heard increased radio traffic and observed numerous bikes lying on the ground. Firefighters from Squad Company 18 stopped their rig and raced towards numerous critically injured patients. They then learned a truck had driven down the bike path striking many people in a deliberate attack. The members of Squad 18 administered comprehensive medical care to patients with multiple traumas, and several in need of tourniquets.
EMTs Anthony Fracchiolla and Jin Huan Yang of Station 4 were already on an unrelated medical call at West Street and Chambers Street when the crash occurred. They immediately went to work treating injured patients as Police Officers pursued and apprehended the attacker.
As additional units arrived, Fire and EMS personnel continued to triage injured patients, provided rescue breathing and oxygen when needed to keep their patients alive, and assisted in removal of patients to the hospital.
“(Our members) continue to train every day alongside the NYPD for events just like this one,” said Commissioner Kavanagh. “The FDNY always stands ready to protect the citizens and visitors of New York City.”
The ceremony was attended by numerous FDNY members who responded to the attack, including Chief of Department James Leonard, Manhattan Borough Commander Roger Sakowich, and Firefighters and EMS personnel from the surrounding area, as well NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and many more NYPD members.
“It’s important that we all work together to keep this city safe,” said Police Commissioner O’Neill. “New Yorkers remember these innocent lives every single day, but New Yorkers will never be deterred.”