Honor Fallen First Responders

Section 1. Legislative declarations. The legislature hereby finds and determines that there should be established a disaster preparedness first responder recognition program to honor those brave men and women who have given their lives as part of a disaster preparedness or first response situation, in an effort to help, save and care for their fellow man.

The legislature hereby further finds and declares that 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 in the state and city of New York. That such retired firefighters, James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes, 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 legislature further hereby finds and declares, that 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

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

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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, and their community can provide.

§ 2. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 29-l to read as follows:

§ 29-l. Disaster preparedness first responder recognition program. 1. There is hereby created a disaster preparedness first responder recognition program. The purpose of such program is to provide recognition and honor to those brave men and women who have given their lives as part of a disaster preparedness or first response situation, in an effort to help, save and care for their fellow man. The program shall be managed and maintained jointly by the office of homeland security and the state emergency management office. Each year, in coordination with the staff at the office of homeland security and the state emergency management office, the program shall honor three individuals from New York state who deserve recognition and honor for their efforts.

2. There shall be three initial honorees of the disaster preparedness first responder recognition program. Such initial honorees shall be James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes. Such honoring shall be in recognition of such retired firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As part of their status as initial honorees by the disaster preparedness first responder recognition program, notwithstanding any provision of any general, special, or local law to the contrary, the state of New York, the city of New York and the fire department of the city of New York, shall bestow, award and provide James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes, and their families, with all the benefits, honors, merits, ceremonies, recognitions, awards and status provided to any other firefighter who perished at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, including but not limited to:

a. Posthumously awarding James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes the Medal of Valor and the Special World Trade Center Medal of Valor and presenting the same to the families of such men at a ceremony held in their honor;

b. Adding the names of James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes to all monuments, memorials and tributes honoring the brave firefighters from the city of New York who gave their lives in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, including but not exclusive of adding their names to the Wall of Honor at the Fire Department of the city of New York's headquarters;

c. Posthumously retiring the badges of James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes;

d. Establishing a picture memorial to James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes in the firehouse in which each such firefighter last served, commemorating such firefighters' service and acknowledging their sacrifice at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001;

e. Establishing a picture memorial to James J. Corrigan, William Wren, and Phillip T. Hayes in the office of homeland security and the state emergency management office, commemorating such firefighters' service and acknowledging their sacrifice at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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