29 fallen firefighters, including an Ithaca man, were honored Tuesday at the 26th Annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony held at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany.
Governor Kathy 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.
The fallen firefighters added to the wall this year include:
- Jason Arno, Buffalo Fire Department
- Herbert Louis Bishop, Senior, 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 Kelmy, Senior, 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, Junior, 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
- Raymond Phillips, Junior, 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, Senior, State Office of Fire Prevention and Control
“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 Hochul said. “We can never thank these brave firefighters enough for rushing into danger to protect New Yorkers from fire danger.”
Governor Hochul also issued two proclamations on Tuesday 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.
