GOVERNOR HOCHUL RECOGNIZES SACRIFICE OF 29 NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS AT ANNUAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL CEREMONY

New York State to Engrave Names of 29 Fallen Firefighters on Memorial Wall at Empire State Plaza, Forever Memorializing Their Sacrifice

Governor Hochul Also Declares Tuesday, October 10, as Firefighter Appreciation Day; Fire Prevention Week to Last Through October 14

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today honored 29 fallen firefighters at the 26th Annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, held at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany. Governor Hochul was joined by State officials, fire department personnel from across the state, and the families and loved ones of New York’s fallen firefighters for this somber event in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located at the Empire State Plaza, now honors 2,660 of New York’s firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial also pays tribute to the thousands of active firefighters in the state who risk their lives every day to protect New Yorkers.

“It is a distinct honor and privilege to join with the families, friends, and colleagues of these fallen firefighters, to recognize these heroes and their families for their sacrifices,” Governor Hochulsaid. “We can never thank these brave firefighters enough for rushing into danger to protect New Yorkers from fire danger.”

The fallen firefighters added to the wall this year include:

Jason Arno                                Buffalo Fire Department

Herbert Louis Bishop, Sr.               Arlington Fire Department

Freeman Board                               Brockport Fire Department

James Brooks                                 Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company

Owen Carlock                                 Fire Department of New York

Joseph Daly                                    Fire Department of New York

Andrew DiMaggio                           New Rochelle Fire Department

Dennis Farrell                                 Fire Department of New York

Daniel Foley                                    Fire Department of New York

Jesse Gerhard                                Fire Department of New York

James Hopkins                               Brockport Fire Department

Ronald Kemly, Sr.                          Fire Department of New York

Timothy Klein                                  Fire Department of New York

Michael Lyons                                 Fire Department of New York

Peter McCaffrey                              Yonkers Fire Department

James McCauley, Jr.                     Fire Department of New York

William Moon, II                              Fire Department of New York

Philip Morrissey                               Cohoes Fire Department

Daryl Lynn Pace                             Ithaca Fire Department

Brian Payne                                     Mamaroneck Fire Department

Raymond Phillips, Jr.                     Fire Department of New York

Judy Spencer                                  Hartland Volunteer Fire Company

William Steinberg                            Forestburgh Fire Company

Dennis Tortorella                             Mamaroneck Fire Department

John Vallini                                      Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department

Victor Valva                                     Fire Department of New York

Tracy Veno                                      Olean City Fire Department

Patrick Whalen                                Fire Department of New York

Thomas Wutz, Sr.                          State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

Governor Hochul also today issued two proclamations to honor the state’s career and volunteer firefighters, marking October 10, 2023, as Firefighter Appreciation Day, and the week of October 8-14, 2023, as Fire Prevention Week. Every day, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control works in partnership with local fire departments, fire service organizations, school districts, civic groups, and the National Fire Protection Association to provide information and programs about the importance of fire safety awareness.

Each year in the United States, more than 3,500 Americans die in fires and approximately 18,300 are injured, according to the United States Fire Administration. Children and the elderly comprise many of these deaths and injuries.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “It’s an honor and privilege to recognize these 29 fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please join me today in remembering these firefighters and their families in your thoughts. I am continually in awe of New York’s firefighting community and the firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to protect New Yorkers. Thank you for your service.”

New York State Fire Administrator James Cable said, “Today, we honor and remember the service of 29 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’m proud to honor their memory and extend my gratitude for their service to their families. Please remember these fallen firefighters, and their families, in your thoughts.”