Ray Downey CFSI’s Mason Lankford award recipient
The late Raymond Downey, deputy chief of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), was the recipient of the Congressional Fire Services Institute 2002 Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. Congressman Curt Weldon, founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, presented the award to Downey’s wife, Rosalie, and children, Ray, Joe, Chuck, Kathy Ugalde, and Marie Tortorici, at the 14th annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner at the Washington, D.C., Hilton on April 18.
Downey, a 39-year veteran of FDNY, was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center. He significantly affected national fire service policies and programs. He also was a member of the Gilmore Commission, a presidential committee that evaluated domestic response capabilities for terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. He was the team leader for the New York City Urban Search and Rescue team and a representative for all 28 FEMA USAR teams.
President Bush told the audience: “Those who knew [Ray Downey] would tell you that he was the bravest of the brave, a fireman’s fireman. And, today, I proudly signed legislation designating a post office in Deer Park, New York, as the Raymond M. Downey Post Office Building.”
 FDNY Captain Joseph Downey (left) accepts the MSA Fireslayer of the Year |
“Chief Downey leaves behind a legacy that few will ever replicate,” said Weldon. “He was a pioneer, a man of great vision who was responsible for much of the progress that has been achieved within the fire service in the area of disaster preparedness.”
Ray Downey’s son, Joe, a captain in FDNY, gave the acceptance address on behalf of his family. His comments follow:
On behalf of my mom, my brothers, and my sisters, we thank you for having us here tonight. President Bush, thank you for being here with us.
It is truly a privilege for us to accept the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award in honor of my dad, Deputy Chief Raymond Downey. I would like to thank James A. Burns, New York State Fire Administrator, and Dan Cafferty, New York State Deputy Fire Administrator, for nominating my father for this most prestigious award. I would also like to thank Congress-man Sherwood Boehlert of New York and Congressman Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania for their strong letters of support. Finally, I would like to thank the selection committee, comprised of the Congressional Fire Services Institute Board of Directors, along with National Advisory Committee Chairman Dennis Compton, for choosing my father.
None of us ever dreamed his life would end so suddenly and tragically as it did on September 11. Just one week following that date, my father would have celebrated his 64th birthday. His life was dedicated to his family and the fire service. My father was eligible for retirement 19 years ago but chose to continue working in the career he loved so much. He once said the fire department would have to kick him out before he would be ready to retire.
Following the tragedy on September 11, my family and I received many cards and letters from family and friends, as well as people we have never met. Many of these letters expressed how Ray Downey had touched their lives, either through his words of encouragement, a class he had taught, or just a friendly greeting; he had an impact on their lives in some way.
Throughout his life, and especially on September 11, he was willing to lead by example and perform an act of tremendous courage. After the South Tower came down, without hesitation my father returned to the collapse area to help as many people as possible. On speaking with many of the firefighters who were lucky enough to survive the collapse of the Twin Towers, I have been told of how Chief Downey had saved their life and for that they are forever grateful.
We stand here before you with broken hearts because of that day. However, you help to ease our pain in ways like this by recognizing Ray Downey with this award. His life was an inspiration to many. His accomplishments are a true testament to his character. We continue to be amazed and proud to see how many lives he has touched within this country and throughout the world.
My dad will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, a supportive father, an outstanding Poppy, a great friend, and a truly dedicated firefighter.
Thank You, CFSI, Motorola, and all of you who continue to support the fire service for making this a most memorable evening for the Downey family.
The late Mason Lankford was a fire marshal from Denton, Texas. He played a pivotal role in the development of the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. The award recognizes leadership in advancing fire service issues at all levels of government.
In his comments, President Bush noted that the “men and women who answer America’s alarms” have “one of the highest callings in our country, and one of the hardest. Your neighborhoods depend on you, and so does your country. And you’ve never let us down.”
In addition to President Bush and Weldon, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Allbaugh, Senator Joseph Biden, and a bipartisan group of members from the Congressional Fire Services Caucus welcomed the more than 2,000 fire and emergency service personnel present.
Tribute was paid to other individuals and organizations from New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania who served major roles in the response to the terrorist attacks. “This year’s event is a humbling reminder of the incredible sacrifice that all of our domestic defenders face on a daily basis,” noted Weldon.
During a special reception prior to the Fire and Emergency Services Dinner, Weldon and Israel’s Public Security Minister Dr. Uzi Landau addressed honored guests and American first responders on the challenges they face and the critical role they play in responding to terrorist attacks.
The bipartisan Congressional Fire Ser-vices Caucus, founded by Weldon in 1987, is the largest caucus on Capitol Hill, with more than 320 members. Senator Paul Sar-banes of Maryland is Caucus chairman during this session of Congress.
FEMA begins to award FIRE grants; 19,500-plus applications received
Some 19,500 fire departments have applied on-line to the Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Adminstra-tion (USFA) for “Assistance to Firefighter” grants. This total exceeds by almost a thousand the number of applications received last year. Applicants requested more than $2.2 billion for basic firefighting needs; the program was funded at $360 million for this year.
“The response to this program has been outstanding and highlights the needs of our fire service first responders across the country,” FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said.
Some 300 fire service personnel from across the nation participated in the panel peer review process, which took place during April and May. The panels reviewed the applications and submitted their choices for grant recipients to FEMA.
United States Fire Administrator R. David Paulison explained that the needs of rural, suburban, and urban communities around the country would be balanced in the review process. “In addition,” he said, “the distribution of funds will also be weighted to include departments with volunteers, career staff, or a combination of volunteer and career staff.”
According to the applications reviewed by the USFA up to press time, fire department needs broke down as follows: Volunteer/combination fire departments submitted 17,786 applications and requested more than $1.9 billion; career fire departments submitted 1,733 applications and asked for more than $287 million.
The Assistance to Firefighter grants cover four areas. Departments’ requests in these categories break down as follows:
- Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety: $882,539,097 (58% percent of the applications).
- Firefighting Vehicles: $1.26 billion (37% of the applications).
- Emergency Medical Services: $35,174,783 (2% of the applications).
- Fire Prevention Programs: $30,580,741 (3% of the applications).
Additional information on the grant program can be obtained from the USFA Web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants, the Grant Office’s toll-free information line at (866) 274-0960, or by e-mailing usfagrants@fema.gov. n
Regenhard: “Petition legislators for thorough WTC investigation”
Sally Regenhard, the mother of 28-year-old Christian Regenhard, a Fire Department of New York probationary firefighter killed in the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse on September 11, 2001, urged attendees at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis to put their safety first.
“All the power is in your hands,” she said. “We need you to get angry ellipse to take care of yourselves. Let us establish legislation of safety. We need to change building codes. We need the influence of the fire service,” she emphasized at the April 11 General Session. She is proposing that 50 percent of the committee for code reform be comprised of members of the fire service, including fire protection engineers. “Today, she added, “builders can construct structures of any size for money and greed.”
Regenhard, the founder and chairperson of The Campaign for Skyscraper Safety, asked the audience members to contact President George W. Bush; Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, chairman of the House Science Committee; and their federal legislators to solicit their support for the establishment of a presidential commission to lead the investigation of the WTC collapse.
Subsequent to Regenhard’s remarks at the FDIC, NIST has proposed to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the WTC disaster. A bill entitled “The National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002” has been proposed by members of the House Science Committee. This bill would not only provide subpoena power for the proposed NIST WTC investigation, but it would also establish a permanent investigative team to study future building disasters.
Regenhard and The Campaign for Sky-scraper Safety have endorsed this legislation and ask firefighters to contact the following elected officials to urge their support of this legislation: President George W. Bush, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20500; Phone: (202) 456-1414; Fax: (202) 456-2461. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, 2246 Rayburn House Office Building, Wash-ington, DC 20515; Phone: (202) 225-3665; Fax: (202) 225-1891.
NHTSA repeats rollover warning to users of 15-passenger vans
Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., head of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has reissued a cautionary warning to users of 15-passenger vans because of an increased rollover risk under certain conditions. A similar warning was issued in 2001.
The safety agency also unveiled a consumer flyer for users of 15-passenger vans.
NHTSA research has shown that 15-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than 10. In fact, 15-passenger vans (with 10 or more occupants) in single-vehicle crashes had a rollover rate nearly three times the rate of lightly loaded vans. Among the NHTSA recommendations are the following:
- It is important that trained, experienced drivers operate 15-passenger vans.
- Insist that all occupants wear seatbelts at all times. Eighty percent of those who died in 15-passenger van rollovers nationwide in the year 2000 were not wearing seatbelts. In fatal, single-vehicle rollovers involving 15-passenger vans over the past decade, 92 percent of belted occupants survived compared with 23 percent for unbelted occupants.
The flyer on 15-passenger van safety and the new consumer advisory are available on the Web at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
NFPA report: oxidizers played major role in Phoenix warehouse fire
Factors that may have contributed to the August 2000 multioccupant warehouse fire in Phoenix, Arizona, that resulted in property damage estimated at more than $100 million included a lack of segregation between oxidizers and other incompatible materials, the lack of a proper storage configuration for oxidizers, and inadequate sprinkler protection, according to the Fire Investigations Unit of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The fire began in the building’s home and garden supply area, which stored a dangerous combination of oxidizers such as pool chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides. At approximately 5 p.m., less than one hour after workers left for the day, smoke was seen coming from the home and garden portion of the warehouse. At the same time, employees from the pharmaceutical distribution operation, which also occupied the building, heard banging noises from that area.
When the Phoenix Fire Department arrived at the scene within minutes after the fire was reported, portions of the outer walls of the building were collapsing, and the fire was spreading rapidly. Fire department units extinguished the four-alarm fire by the next morning. Five firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. More than 80 civilians from surrounding neighborhoods were evacuated from their homes but were allowed to return the next day.
A summary of the report findings can be found at www.nfpa.org.
Gas boilers pose carbon monoxide hazard
ECR International, of Utica, New York, is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 gas-fired boilers. Improper combustion in these units could pose a risk of CO poisoning. No reports of injuries or incidents have been received. The problem was discovered during routine testing.
The boilers were sold nationwide from August 2001 through March 2002 under the following brand names: Dunkirk, Sears Kenmore, Bryant, Carrier, Payne, Lennox, and Pennco.
For serial numbers of the units involved, go to www.boilerrecall.com. To arrange a free repair, contact ECR International at (800) 241-5501 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. n
FDNY recipient of MSA’S Fireslayer of the Year Award
In a ceremony held at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indiana-polis on April 12, MSA awarded its Fireslayer of the Year (FOTY) Award to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) for its “selfless dedication to the City of New York.”
In presenting the award, MSA’s Ronald Herring, director of marketing, noted, “The firefighters of FDNY embody the characteristics of true heroes-selfless dedication, bravery, and passion for saving lives.”
FDNY Captain Joseph Downey, son of the late Raymond Downey, FDNY deputy chief who perished in the World Trade Center collapse, accepted the award on behalf of FDNY. Captain Downey was presented with a turn-of-the-century bronzed CairnsHelmet fire helmet. “We are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming support that we have received from our local New York community and throughout the nation. We’re very proud to accept this award on behalf of our entire department,” said Downey.
The FOTY award, instituted in 2000, recognizes firefighters who display selfless dedication in the line of duty. The 2002-2003 FOTY program has been expanded so that award candidates may be nominated on a national level. Industry experts will be part of the selection committee, according to MSA. The company will announce additional det-ails, including nomination criteria and deadline, at a later date.
American Chemistry Council cites Congressman Weldon
The American Chemistry Council’s first Outstanding Public Service Award was presented to Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) in Washington, D.C., in April.
The council recognizes Weldon’s efforts to unify the voice of the fire service, specifically his work with the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
Weldon, a former volunteer fire chief, founded the caucus in 1987.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
March 28: Firefighter Fred McNeil, 71, of the Abingdon (VA) Volunteer Fire Department, died of cardiac arrest during a training session.
April 6: Firefighter/EMT Mark D. Mansfield, 30, of the Overland Park (KS) Fire Department, was found dead from a cause still to be determined in his bunk at the fire station.
April 7: Firefighter Edna Faye Bishop, 29, of the Bon Secour (AL) Volunteer Fire Department, died from injuries sustained when the fire apparatus in which she was responding to a brush fire left the road and rolled over several times.
April 7: Rookie Firefighter Kevin Leo Baker, 39, of the Mid-North Johnson County Volunteer Fire Department, Crowley, Texas, died of an apparent heart attack while assisting at the scene of a gunshot wound transport.
April 10: Captain William “Jackie” Jackson Beard Jr., 56, of the City of Greensboro (NC) Fire Department, collapsed of apparent cardiac arrest while participating in a live fire training exercise.
April 11: Chief Earl Hemphill, 61, of the Russell City (KS) Fire Department, was struck and killed by an apparatus at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.
April 13: Firefighter William J. Tripp Jr., 28, of the Richford (NY) Fire Department, died after he collapsed at the scene of a motor vehicle accident while laying flares to assist with traffic.
April 27: Firefighter/Driver John Nuber, 56, of the City of Erie (PA) Fire Department, died of cardiac arrest shortly after arriving home from the fire station, where he complained of feeling ill.
Source: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Database, United States Fire Administration.
