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Designating August 17th as “First Responder Appreciation Day in Philadelphia” into Perpetuity.
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WHEREAS, Generations of Philadelphians have benefitted from the courageous service of First Responders of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Police, Fire, Emergency Medical and other personnel (hereinafter collectively referred to as “First Responders”), serve devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the People of the City of Philadelphia, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and
WHEREAS, In emergency situations, First Responders carry out the critical role of protecting and ensuring public safety in situations involving both natural and man-made disasters; and
WHEREAS, The men and women who bravely serve as First Responders have now found themselves on the front lines of homeland defense in the “War Against Terrorism”; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of First Responders have made the “Ultimate Sacrifice” to protect our community; and
WHEREAS, There currently is no City day to honor the brave men and women of the First Responder Community, who give so much of themselves for the sake of others; and
WHEREAS, Our First Responders by their courageous service and dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of Philadelphia City Council; and
WHEREAS, In the History of Philadelphia, the most horrendous disaster to face Philadelphia First Responders occurred on August 17, 1975, when the then Gulf Oil Refinery Conflagration broke out, rising to the level of an 11-Alarm Fire and ultimately claiming the lives of eight Philadelphia First Responders: John Andrews, Ralph Campana, Robert Fisher, Hugh McIntyre, Roger Parker, Joseph Wiley, James Pouliot and Carroll Brenek; and
WHEREAS, The anniversary of the 1975 Gulf Oil Refinery Fire is an appropriate day to remember and honor all our Brave Philadelphia First Responders; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby designates August 17th as “First Responder Appreciation Day in Philadelphia” into Perpetuity.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That all community organizations in Philadelphia are encouraged to recognize valor in First Responders based in their communities on First Responder Appreciation Day in Philadelphia.
STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, That City Council shall make annual awards to First Responders, taking into consideration any recommendations from First Responder-Related City Officials, recognizing valor by Police, Fire, Emergency Medical, and other personnel.
FINALLY FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Police Department and the Philadelphia Fire Department, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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