Retired Member’s Association, Inc. Fire Department, City of The

Recall Journal www.FDNYRMA.org Incorporated January 1st 1946 June 2013 OFFICERS

Vice President / — THIS MONTH’S MEETING NOTICE — ROBERT LANDAU OUR MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 406 Sleight Avenue Staten Island, NY 10307-2210 TUESDAY - JUNE 25, 2013-7:30PM AT (718) 984-2863 Membership Chairman JAMES HAYHURST KOENIG’S RESTAURANT RMA P0 Box 1332 86 SOUTH TYSON AVE, FLORAL PARK NY Baldwin, NY 11510 (516) 623-1835 Lee Ielpi, President. September 11th Families Association, Tribute Center Secretary / Editor MIKE O’KEEFFE Lt Terence Byrne (ret) NYPD Intel Division RMA PO BOX 1332 Baldwin, NY 11510 Caitlin Walsh, Friends of Firefighters (917) 853-5772

Co-editor RICHIE FUERCH RMA PO Box 1332 Baldwin, NY 11510 POLITICAL ACTION (516)659-9530 hen this issue of the “Recall Journal” reaches your mailboxes, the Primary Treasurer PAUL MALLERY election will be less than three months away, followed by the general election in Novem - 4-74 48th Ave. #12L Long Island City, NY 11109 ber. Voters will elect a new Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate and four new Borough (718) 433-4824 WPresidents (, Queens, and Staten Island). All 51 City Council seats will be on the Legislation ballot, nineteen of which will be occupied by new council members due to term limits. ROBERT DIVIRGILIO South Farmingdale, NY We all know that our pensions and health benefits continue to be under attack. We have the abili - Sergeant at Arms MANNY CROQUEZ ty, and the responsibility, to protect these hard-won retirement benefits for current and future retirees. 21-29 Greene Avenue, Ridgewood NY 11385 (718) 381-8408 Let's think about this like fighting a fire. What's the first thing we all did when we pulled up to a Web Site fire scene? We each performed our own size-up, no matter what rank, no matter whether 1st due or BILL SCHILLINGER 3rd due on the 3-3. We all did our size-ups a bit differently, but we probably all asked two questions: RMA PO Box 1332 Baldwin, NY 11510 1. What's going on? 2. What do I have to do? (917) 902-6689 Rev. EVERETT J. WABST What's going on? Twenty fire companies are once again in danger of closing. All municipal work - 55 Kent Street ers are without contracts for several years. New firefighters have greatly diminished pensions, the Staten Island, NY 10306 (718) 987-6694 extent of which is still not clear. Health care benefits are threatened. Municipal unions all have sim - Cell (917) 251-2458 ilar goals, but are taking different courses of action in the NYC elections. Beyond all this, we have Trustees WILBUR L. HUTCHINS more long-term concerns in Albany, including binding arbitration, the Triborough Amendment, and (718) 776-2075 maintaining the pension protection guaranteed in the NYS Constitution. MANNY FERNANDEZ (718) 898-2279 What do I have to do? Keep doing your size-up during the summer. UFA members: Check the UFA FRANK MARTINEZ (212) 260-0719 website for opportunities to assist in political action. UFOA members: Attend the UFOA retiree meet - FRANK LOMUSCIO ing on September 4. Turn out for politcal action. (718)224-4262 JAMES SANDQUIST (516) 294-5536 You can “operate,” or you can “stand fast.” President Emeritus — From the Members of the RMA Board JAMES R. KING Affiliated with United Retired Firefighters Ass’n • N.Y. State Alliance of Public Employees Council of Municipal Retiree Organizations (COMRO) Page 2 June 2013 The Recall Journal April 30, 2013 Meeting

fter some pre-meeting fellowship, Bob Landau supplies and shipped them to our troops in Afghanistan. called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM. An As usual, money was collected at the meeting to pur - opening invocation by the Reverend Everett chase more supplies and to pay for postage. Thanks to AWabst, the RMA Chaplain, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Jim and his wife, Linda, who does the shopping and led by Manny Croquez, started us off. packing of these items. VP Bob Landau introduced our guest speaker, NYPD Jim mentioned an upcoming trip to Albany May 3 rd Detective Steven McDonald. Steven has been paralyzed by the Coalition of Uniformed Forces, and the need to from the neck down since being shot by a perpetrator in make our voices heard. Our benefits are, have been and 1986. He remembered being assisted in Bellevue Hospi - will continue to be under attack. Jim also emphasized tal by the FDNY HELP Team. Ron Bucca, the Fire Mar - that we need to continually recruit new members for the shal who was killed on 9/11, was hospitalized on the RMA however we can, at the retirement seminars, other same floor due to a fall from a fire escape. Steven cred - FDNY events, or simply by word of mouth. The upcom - its Ron with getting him through those first difficult days ing PAPD test and other job openings were also men - with his constant encouragement. tioned. Our website has had over 40,000 hits. Thanks to As a young police officer, Steven worked on the Webmaster Bill Schillinger! Lower East Side, where he would stop in at the E-28/L- Bob Landau reminded members to call any RMA 11 firehouse on cold winter nights. He came to compare Board Member for information or assistance. Our phone the FDNY and NYPD as being two different pews in the numbers are on the front page of the newsletter. The same church. Since his injury changed his life, he has name of the game, Bob said, is to help each other out. been an inspiration to many, speaking in the NYPD Police Academy and in many other venues. A cause that he is very passionate about is the Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance, held every year ODDS AND ENDS on the Sunday prior to . Steven and Fr. Walk of Remberance: Sunday, Sept 8, 2013 at Mychal met and became friends in 1986, when a friend 9AM, at St Francis of Assisi Church, 135 W31 St of Steven’s convinced Fr Mychal to say Mass at Steven’s (opposite qtrs E-1/L-24). Every year a group, led by bedside at Bellevue. The walk begins at Fr. Judge’s Detective Stephen Mc Donald, follows the route that Fr home church, St Francis of Assisi, located on West 31 Mychal Judge took to the World Trade Center on Sept St, opposite the quarters of Engine 1 and Ladder 24. It 11, 2001. proceeds for 3 miles downtown to St Peter’s Church on Barclay St., stopping at police precincts and firehouses 9/11 Health Watch: As we stated in our April issue, along the way. The major purpose of Steven’s talk was 9/11 Health Watch was formed by our unions and other to encourage us to join this group in remembrance of interested parties to ensure that the Zadroga Act is Fr.Mychal and of all those who perished on 9/11. Steven implemented properly. Of particular concern: First stressed that this is an ecumenical event, not just for Catholics, and a great way to start the week. Responders need to complete a VCF application by As Detective McDonald spoke, without a micro - October 3, 2013 if you know, or should have known, phone, you could hear a pin drop in the hall. He had that you were injured as a result of the 9/11 attacks. everyone’s rapt attention. When he finished speaking, he Contact them at (646)634-9103, or info@911health - received an enthusiastic standing ovation. He is truly an watch.org. inspiration. Getting on with RMA business, Membership Chair - UFOA 2nd Annual Retiree Meeting: September 4, man Jim Hayhurst announced that the Superstorm Sandy 2013 at 8:15 AM at Russo's on the Bay. Space is limit - Distribution Center, organized by Friends of Firefighters ed to 1,000 members. RSVP to [email protected] (FoF) was closing on April 30. Jim picked up surplus or call (212) 293-9300. June 2013 The Recall Journal Page 3 FATHERS DAY FIRE On a beautiful Fathers Day, on June 17th, 2001, a fire started in the cellar of a Queens hardware store, located at 14 St and Asto - ria Blvd. An explosion occurred that resulted in the collapse of an exterior wall and extension of the fire in the cellar. Three FDNY firefighters were killed at that operation: FF Harry Ford, Rescue 4 and FF John Downing, Ladder 163 were killed by the wall collapse. FF Brian Fahey, Rescue 4 , trapped in the burning cellar following the explosion, also perished. Since this tragedy occurred less than three months before 9/11/2001, it has not subsequently received the notoriety that it might otherwise have had. The memorial shown in these pictures was dedi - cated at the scene of the fire on October 9, 2012.

LETTER FROM SERVICE MEMBER (Editor’s Note: RMA Membership Chairman Jim Hay - who perished on 9/11 while trying to help evacuate peo - hurst receives many letters because of “care packages” ple. Even though the base is no longer named after him, sent to service members. Jim and his wife, Linda, pur - we do have a memorial tribute in his honor and one of chase and ship the supplies. The monetary donations of our hang out places is called Pete’s Place. RMA members make this possible.) Thanks again for all you do and please know it is Hello Jim! very much appreciated! I just received your package and wanted to say thank you. Here at the Transit Center we have thousands of ser - TANYA SANCHEZ, TSgt, USAF vice men and women that flow through here monthly on NCOIC, Legal Office the way to or from Afghanistan. I was able to share a lot 376 AEW/JA of the goodies you sent me with them. As you probably Transit Center at Manas, are aware, this base used to be called Ganci Air Base in Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) honor of Peter Ganci, a FDNY firefighter Page 4 The Recall Journal June 2013 FIREMAN ALEXANDER J. CARTWRIGHT, JR. 1820 – 1892 By Gary Urbanowicz, Hon. Deputy Chief Fdny (Author Of Badges Of The Bravest, Co-Author Of The Last Alarm). lexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. was to 1. (It is known that other games were born in New York City on April 17, played earlier, but this was probably the 1820. He was a bookseller by trade first under which the rules were accepted aAnd a member of Knickerbocker Engine by both teams.) The Knickerbockers Company 12. were the first team to adopt a standard - While a member of Engine 12, ized uniform. Cartwright became involved in playing Cartwright headed out for the Califor - town ball (a similar game to baseball) on a nia Gold Rush in 1849. Instead, he and vacant lot at Fourth Avenue and East 27th his family established themselves on Street. In 1845, the lot became unavailable Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. There, he for use and the group was forced to look for continued in both of his passions, serv - another location. They found a playing ing as Chief of the Honolulu Fire field, the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Department from 1850 through 1863 Jersey. Cartwright organized a club so that and establishing a baseball field on the he could collect the money needed to pay island. for rental of the field. On September 23, Legend has it that Abner Doubleday 1845 the club was named the "Knicker - invented the game of baseball in 1839 bockers" after the fire company. In order playing its first games in Cooperstown, for the game to be played in a more formal, New York. But on June 3, 1953 the professional manner, Cartwright devised officially recog - the “Knickerbocker Rules” which form the nized Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. as basis of today’s rules of baseball. The first the inventor of the modern game of clearly documented match between two baseball. He was inducted into the Base - baseball clubs under these rules took place ball Hall of Fame in 1938. on June 19, 1846, between the New York Cartwright died on July 12, 1892 in Knickerbockers and the New York Nine. Hawaii and is interred at Oahu Ceme - The Knickerbockers lost by a score of 23 tery. JIM ELLSON, RIP (Editor's note: The following article was condensed from a tribute written by Jack Murphy, a retired fire mar - shall and deputy chief in the Leonia, NJ Fire Department. Jack is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fire Safety Directors Assn of Greater NY. At the time of his death, Jim was the Sgt-at-Arms.) e lost a “Man for the Ages” when Jim “Lord Among Jim's many other roles: USAR/Task Force-1 Jim” Ellson, Sr. lost his battle to cancer. He Team Leader; Deputy Commissioner in OEM; Instruc - gave more to his family, his fellow firefighters tor at the FDNY Fire Academy and John Jay College; aWnd to the many friends he made along the way than to Greater NY Fire Safety Directors Association Board his own personal self. Member; and NYS/DHS, his last gig, working logistics Jim’s stellar fire service career began in 1960, when for Superstorm Sandy. as a Probie he responded to his first of numerous major Despite being cited for many Department Service incidents, when two planes collided over the city Rating Medals and Unit Citations for bravery, his hum - (12/16/60) with one plane crashing in the Park Slope bling demeanor spoke volumes as to his character. He section of Brooklyn and the other coming down in Stat - never sought accolades, but always applauded firefight - en Island. Within 3 days after this mid-air collision, he ers who were acting as one. was battling a major fire on the USS Constellation air - He was the best friend that one could ever have in craft carrier that killed 50 workers. The ship was under his/her life. In one of the many conversations we have construction in the Brooklyn Naval Yard. had over the years, he told me a quote from Fr. Mychal Jim was a firefighter in E-65 & L-102. As a lieu - Judge: “No matter how hard it gets, God has a plan for tenant in L-124, where he worked with fellow officer you.” When Jim arrived at the Gates of Heaven today, St. Pete Ganci, he got the nickname “Lord Jim”. He also Peter needed to put crowd control management plan in served as a lieutenant in R-1, captain in Squad 1, and as place. He will remain a ‘Beacon of Light’ in our hearts Executive Officer to Chief of SOC Ray Downey. with all he has shared with us. God Speed, Brother Jim. June 2013 The Recall Journal Page 5 MORE HOBBIES OF RMA MEMBERS

he following was written and challenging sport. to us by Bill Geis, Ladder Finally, it was time to make 26-2, Ladder 22 and Lad - the big move. I bought a hand - dTer 17. He was appointed to Lad - some American Paint gelding. der 26-2 where he worked with Most horses are standoffish, but Neal Beekman. Reading Neal’s this guy came right over to say story in the last RMA Journal hello. “Moonshine” is boarded inspired him to write about his at the Florida Agricultural favorite activity, horseback rid - Museum, where we have access ing. The following was submitted to many miles of wilderness by Bill: trails. It is there that I have “What is a guy who was born become friends with some of in Brooklyn, grew up in Queens, the nicest people I have ever and worked in ladder companies in Manhattan and met. We ride several times each week and enjoy , doing on a horse? Three years ago at the each other’s company and the company of our hors - tender age of 65, I decided to pursue a life long es. dream: ride a horse and look good doing it. Sofar I To you, my fellow retired firefighters, I say the have accomplished the first; I can ride a horse. As words of Dale Evans: “Happy Trails to you, until far as looking good doing it...you won’t mistake me we meet again.” for Roy Rogers. For three years, I rented and leased Bill’s contact information is as follows: several horses and took dozens of lessons. The Address: 8 Lane, Palm Coast, FL. 32137; more I learned, the more I enjoyed this exhilarating Telephone: 386-445-6790

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF any of us will remember John O’Regan, any symptoms they might have and consider get - the original author of “Ladders 3”, the ting a baseline cardio-vascular evaluation. As first official FDNY operational guideline acknowledged by the Heart Bill, firefighters have fMor ladder company operations in NFP Tenements. an increased risk of heart disease over the general John is also remembered for making physical fit - population. ness, particularly running, a mainstream program in the FDNY. He organized the Fitness Unit at “The Vascular Diagnostics is one of the facilities that Rock”, helped organize the first Police-Fire 5 mile provides these diagnostic tests. They have served run in Central Park, and motivated Firefighters to many firefighters over the past 30 years. If you are get into running. One way that John got members interested in getting more information, call them at into running was by giving them a 10 mile t-shirt (718) 886-0600, or visit their web site at Vascular - when they completed a 10 mile run. diagnostics.com. The important thing is to consult with your physician to develop a plan based on After retiring, John continued to encourage fire - your unique situation. Take an active role in main - fighters to remain healthy and fit by becoming a taining your health. liaison between firefighters and Vascular Diagnos - (Ed note: Thanks to RMA member Ken Carroll tic Assoc, located in Flushing, Queens. He encour - for this information). aged members to consult their physicians, identify Page 6 June 2013 The Recall Journal DECEASED MEMBERS EVENTS & HOLIDAYS Our Hearts are saddened by the loss of the following June 17: Fathers Day Brother R.M.A. Members EXPIRED RANK NAME UNIT Fire 12th Anniversary 3/6/2013 F/F BENJAMIN G. BRANDES E-318 5/24/2013 F/F TOM CALLAHAN E-24 June 20: Columbia Assn 4/27/2013 F/F JOHN J. GALLIGNANI E-230 Dinner Dance 3/4/2013 F/F GEORGE S. HIEGEL E-85 3/28/2013 F/F DONALD F. KEAHON E-15 June 25: RMA Meeting- 4/10/2013 LIEUT. WILLIAM KULICH E-268 Koenigs, Floral Park 4/15/2013 BC JOHN LYDON B-31 4/29/2013 F/F RAYMOND L. NOLAN E-251 June 29&30: Lt. Joe 4/1/2013 LIEUT. CHARLES A. NORAN E-7 4/16/2013 CAPT. MICHAEL QUINN E-228 DiBernardo Training 2/6/2013 FM CHARLES B. REDDECK BFI Seminar 3/6/2013 F/F CHARLES W. ROLOFF L-163 3/18/2013 CAPT. EDWARD J. SMITH L-38 July 4: Independence 3/13/2013 F/F ROBERT P. SOLOMITA E-299 Day 3/28/2013 F/F GEORGE E. STEINER E-157 4/7/2013 B.C. BERNARD P. TAGGART B-15 August 2: Waldbaum's 3/23/2013 FM ONOFRIO ZUCCHERO BFI Fire 35th Anniversary NEW ANNUAL MEMBERS NEW LIFE MEMBERS August 18: Deutsche LNAME FNAME UNIT LNAME FNAME UNIT Carrigan Daniel J. E-258 Blakeslee Robert B. E-18 Bank Fire 6th Chin Jack E-9 Anniversary Cycan Steven L-116 Bollman Robert E-151 Fasano Robert L-150 Bonner Reginald L-148 August 21: Steuben Assn Gorman Eugene Marine-1 Cuttino Michael A. L-164 Hayden Patrick L-119 Boat Ride Dielensnyder Robert E-291 Keller Mark L-150 August 27: Steuben Assn Koster Robert G. L-12 Fink Kenneth L-142 Golf Outing, Forest McAleese John P. E-219 Foti Peter Div-14 Michelli Dominick M. L-163 Keenan Adrian Park Moody Russell E. Div-6 Noonan Dan L-9 Keys Robert Batt-39 Sept 2: Labor Day Reilly Raymond B. E-248 Legge Michael E-277 Riccardi Peter L-6 Lewis William E. L-134 Sept 4: UFOA Retired Smith Kerry K. L-5 Lynch Luke M. E-201 Webb Richard L-121 Members' Meeting Matthews Joesph J. Training Sept 8: Fr. Mychal Judge Proby Class 9/29/73 Reunion Napolitano Richard E-294 walk of Remembrance The Proby class of 9/29/73 will be O'Malley Sean E-67 holding a luncheon to celebrate our Petersen Robert Marine1 Sept 10: Primary Elec - 40th anniversary. The luncheon will take place at "The Inn at New Hyde Regan Robert P. Field Com tion Day Park" on Thursday, September 26th Ritter William P. L-144 2013. Some members of that class Robinson Douglas W. Hazmat 1 Sept 11: 12th Anniver - could not be contacted, due to inac - Romaka Bill E-238 sary of 9/11/01 curate address information. If any - one knows someone from that Stark William S. L-153 Sept 21: Steuben Day class, please pass on this informa - Trummer Brian E-295 tion. Tucker Edward BFI Parade Contact [email protected] for further information.Thank you. Vreeland James W E-245 Page 7 June 2013 The Recall Journal RETIRED MEMBERS ASSOCIATION, INC. LapelL piAns fPor ERMLA PINS Fire Department, City of New York members are available. ORGANIZED JANUARY 1st, 1946 The Gold colored pin has black lettering, a APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP - red circle around a fire The purpose of the Retired Members Association is to: helmet and a Gold colored logo of • Maintain contact with friends formed in the fire service • Give moral the Retired Members Association. and fraternal support to its members • Guard the rights of our retired The graphic shows a gray copy of members • Keep members informed of ideas and thoughts as they the pin, the actual size is a 7/8-inch impact on their benefits • Secure improved pension, health circle. The pins are available at our and welfare benefits for retired members RMA meetings for $6 for 1 pin or $10 for 2 pins. Or, you can write a We offer three types of Membership - choose one check out to the: RMA , Life Membership - one time payment of $150.00 gives you a Gold - and then - RMA Mem bership Card and our periodic Newsletters. Mail that check to: Life Membership - for present RMA members with a minimum total Robert Landau of ten (10) consecutive paid dues years - One time payment of $75.00 Retired Members Association gives you a Gold RMA Membership Card and our periodic Newsletters. P.O. Box 1332, Annual Membership - Annual dues $15.00 gives you one year of Baldwin NY 11510 member ship, with one year of issued Newsletters and a one-year mem - bership card. (Make check or money order payable to R.M.A) Address Changes (Please Print) Date: ______If you move or plan a change of Name ______address, inform us by writing to : Jim Hayhurst – Address ______RMA PO Box 1332, Baldwin NY 11510. City ______State ______Zip______Please, write down your previous Address and Telephone ______Rank ______New address, and your Telephone Number. Date of Birth ______Unit ______Retirement Date ______

Email: ______GET WELL WISHES o Lapel Pin – One for $6 / two for $10 TO o I am willing to, when possible, donate my time and/or effort, when TONY CATAPANO, called, to assist the RMA for the good of our pension and benefits. E-202 (RET) Please make your checks out to the RMA, and mail your application, and checks to: – Jim Hayhurst – AND FRIENDS OF RMA PO Box 1332, Baldwin NY, 11510 FIREFIGHTERS Important Contact Numbers • UFA Retiree Liaison - Jim Dahl , 1(212) 683- 4832, Ext. 1-6577 - Mon., Wed., Fri. 9-4 PM. • UFOA Retiree Liaison – Mike Donovan 1(212) 376-8400 • FDNY Counseling Unit – Tony Cotroneo (212) 570-1693 • Bureau of Health Services WTC Medical Monitoring & Treatment – 1 (718) 999-1858 FDNY Retired Member’s Assn. Inc. FIRST CLASS MAIL RMA PO BOX 1332 U.S. POSTAGE Baldwin, NY 11510 P A I D Huntington, NY Permit No. 14

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED

Mike O'Keeffe Richie Fuerch Co-editors THE RECALL JOURNAL

VISIT OUR –This Month's Meeting – June 25 2012- 7:30PM WEBSITE Guest speakers: AT Lee Ielpi, September 11th Families Assn, Tribute Center Lt Terence Byrne (ret), NYPD Intel Division WWW.FDNYRMA.ORG Caitlin Walsh, Friends of Firefighters “KOENIG’S RESTAURANT” 86 South Tyson Avenue, Consider becoming a Tour Guide Floral Park NY 11001 By train: Long Island Railroad to at the 9/11 Tribute Center. Floral Park train station. Koenig’s is directly across from station. Help tell the story of those who sac - By car: Cross Island Parkway to Jericho Turnpike. rificed so much. You will receive East on Jericho Tpke 1 mile to South Tyson Ave. Right excellent training and support. For on South Tyson. Continue south 2 blocks. Koenig’s is on right side before LIRR station. more information, contact Nancy Gamerman at the Tribute Center at - OUR NEXT MEETING - 212-422-3520 ext 112 IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24TH IN NEW HYDE PARK