Peekskill Firefighter Added to State Monument

The names of eight fallen firefighters were added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Albany last week, including Peekskill firefighter Kevin Bristol, who died in 2014.

. With the addition of these eight firefighters, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial now contains the names of 2,398 individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“Today, we pay tribute to these brave individuals who gave their lives while protecting their neighbors and their communities,” said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in a prepared statement. “With the additions to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, we will help ensure that their sacrifices and their dedication to the safety of others will not be forgotten.”

This year’s additions to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial are:

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  · Timothy T. Gunther, Firefighter, Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Dutchess County – May 5, 2015
  
  · Joseph Sanford, Jr., Firefighter, Inwood Fire Department, Nassau County – December 23, 2014
  
  · Gordon M. Ambelas, Lieutenant, New York City Fire Department, Kings County – July 5, 2014
  
  · Fred Edwards, Firefighter, Liberty Fire Department, Sullivan County – May 7, 2014
  
  · Kevin J. Bristol, Firefighter, Peekskill Fire Department, Westchester County – March 3, 2014
  
  · Ross E. Huffer, Firefighter, Nesconset Fire Department, Suffolk County – February 27, 2014
  
  · Kevin E. Townes, Sr., Firefighter, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Westchester County – December 8, 2011
  
  · David E. Smith, Captain, Howells Fire Company #1, Orange County – April 11, 2006

Bristol died of a heart attack March 3, 2014 after feeling ill following a kitchen fire in Peekskill. The lifelong Peekskill resident and Peekskill High School graduate was 48. Bristol had served in the Peekskill Fire Department for 26 years with Ladder Company 45.

The Fallen Firefighters Memorial, dedicated in 1998, honors the memory and the valor of our fallen firefighters, as well as pays tribute to the more than 100,000 New York State firefighters who put their lives on the line every day. On average, New York’s firefighters respond to over 1.3 million incidents annually, which represents approximately 3561 events every day, 148 calls per hour, and 2.47 calls per minute.

“New York’s firefighters are true heroes,” said Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “As others run out of burning buildings, they rush in to save lives, protect property and help their fellow New Yorkers. Those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice must be honored and remembered for their bravery and dedication. We owe a tremendous debt to all of our state’s firefighters; they truly are New York’s bravest.”

Patch file photo