Fallen Firefighters Honored

Earlier this month, emergency services personnel from throughout New York state joined together to remember their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty during a ceremony at the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.

The somber service was held during Fire Prevention Week on October 5, 2010 to honor nine firefighters and the families they left behind. Seven of the firefighters honored were lost in 2009, while two were lost in previous years. The names of 2,357 fallen firefighters are now inscribed on the Memorial Wall, which was dedicated in 1998. The earliest name dates back to 1811.

Those lost in 2009 and honored during the ceremony included: Mark B. Davis of Cape Vincent Fire Department, Salvatore Scarentino of FDNY, Jeremy S. Lasher of Verona Fire Department, Paul Warhola of FDNY, Jonathan S. Croom of Buffalo Fire Department, Charles W. McCarthy of Buffalo Fire Department, and Patrick S. Joyce Jr. of Yonkers Fire Department. Those lost during previous years and honored during the ceremony included Francis T. Keane of FDNY (2006) and George R. Davidson III of Youngsville Fire Department (2007).

Governor David Paterson joined state and local government leaders in paying tribute to the Empire State’s fallen heroes. He said, "The firefighters that we honor today were saving perfect strangers.... They just ran into a difficult situation and performed that service and that is not just worthy of memorial, but worthy of our love to them and to their families as well."

Click here to learn more about the history of the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the firefighters it honors.