April 28, 2024
EMMITSBURG, Md. – The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following New York firefighters:
Firefighter Thomas Anderson Jr., age 61, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 7/7/23, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Jason Arno, age 37, of the Buffalo Fire Department, responded to a structure fire on 3/1/23 at a commercial building. While fighting the fire, there was a backdraft that sent flames and smoke into the street. The situation quickly deteriorated, and firefighters had to evacuate the collapsing interior. Firefighter Arno became trapped, and a mayday was called. He was found deceased in the building a short time later.
Fire Police Officer Edward “Red” Corrigan, age 83, of the North Patchogue Fire District, died on 2/26/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Firefighter Peter Dromms, age 77, of the North Syracuse Fire Department, responded to a residential structure fire on 1/13/2023. He reported that he was not feeling well to a fellow firefighter and was transported to the hospital where it was confirmed he was having a heart attack. He had surgery after his heart attack and was released from the hospital. Within days, he was readmitted to the hospital due to complications from the surgery. He remained in the hospital until he died on 3/25/2023.
Lieutenant/EMT Rebecca Eleczko, age 32, of the Millgrove Volunteer Fire Department, died on 1/4/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Firefighter Dennis A. Farrell, age 58, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 2/23/21, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Russell Feliciano, age 62, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 1/10/22 from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter John P. Fogarty, age 81, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 8/25/20, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Frederick “Freddy” H. Gallagher, age 61, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 3/1/22, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Michael Gebert, age 28, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 9/11/22, from complications of cancer, deemed by the State of New York to be a line-of-duty death.
Firefighter Wayne Goehring, age 51, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 7/19/21, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
2nd Assistant Chief Steven Harris, age 57, of the Fort Johnson Volunteer Fire Company, was responding to a structure fire on 2/13/23, when he began having breathing difficulties and went into cardiac arrest. He was taken to the hospital where he died due to multi-system organ failure.
Fire Marshal Robert Kelly, age 61, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 11/20/20, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Battalion Chief David Lachenauer, age 61, of the City of Watertown, died on 3/23/18, from illness related to response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Lieutenant Leonard Llewellyn, age 82, of the Mattituck Fire Department, was responding to the station for an emergency medical call during the afternoon of 8/22/2023 when he was struck by a car. He was transported to the hospital where he died on 8/24/2023 due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
Firefighter James Mager, age 61, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 4/8/23, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Anthony Malfi, age 53, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 6/8/21, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Anthony Mauro, age 34, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 1/27/23, from complications of cancer, deemed by the State of New York to be a line-of-duty death.
Lieutenant James F. McCauley Jr., age 64, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 9/20/22, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Battalion Chief Brian O’Flaherty, age 80, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 12/3/2022 from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Battalion Chief James Redmond, age 69, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 12/11/21, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Karl Sederholt, age 74, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 5/22/23, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Firefighter Christopher Viviano, age 53, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 1/19/22, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was hospitalized due to COVID-19 at the time of his death. His death certificate indicates his official cause of death as interstitial lung disease which was from 9-11 WTC rescue and recovery.
Firefighter Patrick Whalen, age 62, of the Fire Department City of New York, died on 8/22/21, from illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
