Establishes the disaster preparedness first responder recognition program

1 Co-sponsor

• Tony Avella

BILL NUMBER:S4368

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the establishment of the disaster preparedness first responder recognition program and the honoring of certain retired firefighters who were killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001

Purpose

This bill would permit the families of three retired firefighters, who volunteered and assisted the New York City Fire Department in the rescue and recovery efforts of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and in so doing lost their lives, to receive the certain recognition and benefits that they have so earned.

Summary of provisions

Specifically, this bill would amend the unconsolidated law to award the families of three retired firefighters who volunteered and assisted the New York City Fire Department in the rescue and recovery efforts of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, with legacy credits for the loss of these retired firefighters, and which due to an oversight in the present law, they are not receiving. This bill would further insure that these three brave firefighters receive the recognition from the City of New York and its Fire Department that they deserve.

Justification

James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes, were retired New York City firefighters at the time of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center Complex. They were at the scene of such September 11, 2001 attack, and with great heroism, courage and dedication to their community and fellow man, and without concern for themselves or their own personal safety or well being such retired firefighters James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes bravely assisted the rescue and firefighting efforts at the World Trade Center, and in so doing, gave their lives in the furtherance of such noble and benevolent efforts. The courageous public service of James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes, evidenced by their commitment to, and concern for, their state, their city and their fellow citizens, over and above any risk or personal peril they faced, as well as making the ultimate sacrifice as a result of such service, demonstrates that these men and their surviving families are deserving of the highest recognition, appreciation, honor and gratitude that their state, their city, the fire department of the city of New York and their community can provide. This bill would provide their families with the legacy credit benefits which they would have received had these men not been retired at the time of their deaths, thereby not aggravating a penalty their families have suffered for their public service. As such, the children of these brave men would receive added points to their civil service applications to become firefighters, and carry on their fathers; tradition. It would also insure that they also be granted the same recognition as firefighters on active duty received for their similar and equally heroic sacrifice.

Legislative history

2010: S.5346 - Referred to Veterans/A.7464 - Referred to Governmental Employees.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately, provided that the recognition activities required by section two of this act shall be completed on or before the 90th day from the date upon which this act shall have become a law.