Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that 28 names will be added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the Empire State Plaza to honor the memory and heroism of the brave men and women who have lost their lives battling fires in the past year.
“It is critical that we honor our brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the communities they serve, to ensure their legacies are never forgotten,” Governor Cuomo said. “We offer our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues who lost a loved one, and we pray for the safety of those who continue who put their lives on the line every day for the people of this great state.”
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and other state officials recognized the 28 courageous individuals at the 21st Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Albany as part of Firefighter Appreciation Day.
“The Fallen Firefighters Memorial honors the legacy of men and women who faced unthinkable danger with incredible courage,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended the event. “This year, eight names will be added to the monument, along with the names of 20 firefighters who were taken by the injuries and illnesses that arose in the aftermath of 9/11. Each of their stories is a testament to the heroism that is part of everyday life for those who answer the call and put on their uniform. We honor their bravery, and keep their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.”
With the addition of these heroes, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial now honors 2,552 individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial, dedicated in 1998, honors the memory and valor of New York’s fallen firefighters at the memorial during Fire Prevention Week each year. The memorial pays tribute to the more than 100,000 New York State firefighters who put their lives on the line every day.
At the ceremony, the Governor issued two proclamations to honor the state’s career and volunteer firefighters, marking Tuesday, October 9 as Firefighter Appreciation Day and the week of October 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week.
In 2017, fire departments statewide responded to approximately 1,534,586 incidents – about 4,204 incidents each day, 175 incidents per hour, and approximately 2.92 incidents every minute.
“Today is a solemn day when we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price to help protect us, our loved ones, and our communities,” said New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger L. Parrino Sr. “We mourn their sacrifice and vow to honor their memories for the sake of their fellow firefighters, their loved ones and the communities they bravely served.”
The individuals added to the wall this year can be found online here.
Source: NY Governor’s Office