The Fire Critic Weighs in on The Remembrance Rescue Project

I will be in Denver this weekend. I cannot wait.

One of the things I cannot wait for is to see Rescue 4. I got to see Rescue 5 in Indianapolis this year. Now I will get to see Rescue 4.

THE Rescue 4 that responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The same exact unit that was in service and carried some of Rescue 4’s Fallen Heroes on their last call.

This includes the Father’s Day Fire on June 17, 2001 where Firefighter Henry Ford and Firefighter Brian Fahey died along with Firefighter John Downey of Ladder 163.

The rig also carried the following to the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11th, 2001.

Captain Brian Hickey
Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell
Firefighter Terrence Farrell
Firefighter William Mahoney
Firefighter Peter Nelson
Firefighter Durrell Pearsall
Firefighter Peter Brennan
Firefighter Allan Tarasiewcz
Firefighter Michael Cawley

Those brothers never returned to quarters. Those are just 9 of 343 names of FDNY Bravest who died on that day, err, were murdered that day. Husbands, fathers, sons, friends, and brothers gone.

We see it everywhere…NEVER FORGET. Many of us need those reminders put in our face. Take the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events. That is a great tribute and excellent event to help us to NEVER FORGET.

That is just one of the FDNY Rescue companies…that is just part of the story…that is only a piece of the history.

There are links at the bottom of this post to the other FDNY Rescue Companies.

The Remembrance Rescue Project

Web Site – Facebook – Twitter – Youtube

The Remembrance Rescue Project is (in my words) a traveling memorial to those who were lost, a tribute to the Rescues of FDNY, and a teaching tool for others to learn about the events of September 11th.

From their site:

The Remembrance Rescue Project is a not-for-profit created by firefighters to restore, preserve and share Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 from 9/11 as educational tools, historical artifacts and memorials. The Project involving former FDNY Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 is an educational effort focused at society, especially youngsters who were too young to actually understand the events of September 11th and what that day means to members of the fire service and the country as a whole.

The Project works with fire departments across the country to host the Rescues throughout the year. The Project coordinates with host fire departments to facilitate 9/11 educational programming, memorials and remembrance events. The Project strives to keep the memories alive of those lost on September 11th and all firefighters killed in the line of duty every year.

Recent Developments on RRP and FDNY:

On Friday, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Facebook page posted the following:

A group called the “Remembrance Rescue Project” is touring the country with old FDNY Rescue apparatus. We have asked them repeatedly to remove all references to the FDNY from the apparatus, website, videos, etc. They have not and they continue to collect donations using our name. We *do not* endorse or support this project. *Please share this information with your friends and family.*

They later comment:

We are not saying they are disgracing our name. They are using the FDNY name to raise money — after we told them not to many times — and we do not know where that money is going or what it supports.

I decided to take the past few days to do some research into this topic because I believe in The Remembrance Rescue Project and I would like to see it succeed.

The RRP received its first request from New York City on June 27th.

Chris sent over the financial statement and financial activity report. I did not find anything that jumped out at me. There are no salaries.

So far, beyond the cost of fuel, travel, restoration, and maintenance on the apparatus, the RRP has been able to support some of our Fallen Brothers families. This includes three children of J. Kampmeyer from Colby, WI and three children from M. Ratledge of Cottonwood, California.

As for the 501c3 status: 

When the IRS approves a timely filed exemption application, exempt status is recognized back to the date the organization was created. Thus, while an application is pending, the organization can treat itself as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3).”
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=164254,00.html

The Remembrance Rescue Project is not affiliated, endorsed or in any way connected with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY).  The FDNY acronym and shield are federally registered trademarks owned by the City of New York.

The wording above was requested by the City of New York (City, not the FDNY) to be added to The Remembrance Rescue Project web site. In the email asking the RRP to add that verbage, the New York City Attorney stated that “We appreciate your continuing courtesy and cooperation”.

On The Secret List today, they wrote “The FDNY does not support/endorse the Remembrance Rescue Project.” and then further states “their marketed intent does not appear to be genuine.”

Really?

How can the lack of endorsement/support from the FDNY detract from the countless hours put in by Firefighters across the Nation who have helped with this project and believe in this project.

The real question is: Why doesn’t the FDNY sit down and talk with the RRP to support/endorse the project. It seems to me like everyone could win in the end.

I have been in contact with Chris Gantz, the project leader of the RRP. He sent this:

“The Remembrance Rescue Project is working within a very special topic where hundreds of false entities have disgraced the idea of remembrance over the past decade. We knew that there would be challenges along the way, but the Project has worked hard to make sure that it operates in a honest and respectful manner at all times. We have repeatedly asked for assistance from FDNY. Even though our requests were not answered, we continued to ask for help, while keeping FDNY informed. The Project has always been and will always be an open book.

The events of 9/11 and the aftermath will always evoke emotion by those affected. However, we have come to understand that the Rescues are representative a something much greater than FDNY. The Rescues are historical artifacts from the most significant event in United States history, not just New York City. The Remembrance Rescue Project and the journey with both Rescues trucks has developed into a unique medium that helps connect stories and experiences from people across the country affected by 9/11. The Project, with the use of the Rescues from 9/11, serves to educate, honor and remember the sacrifices made on 9/11 and by all firefighters across the country.”

Thank you.

Chris Gantz, Firefighter/Project Leader

Links:

• Remembrance Rescue Project
• RRP – Facebook
• RRP – Twitter
• RRP – Youtube
• Rescue 1
• Rescue 1 Facebook
• Rescue 1 Twitter
• Rescue 2
• Rescue 2 Facebook
• Rescue 3
• Rescue 3 Facebook
• Rescue 4
• Rescue 4 Facebook
• Rescue 4 Twitter
• Rescue 5
• Rescue 5 Facebook

Further information from the RRP:

The Remembrance Rescue Project is a not-for-profit created by firefighters to restore, preserve and share Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 from 9/11 as educational tools, historical artifacts and memorials. The Project involving former FDNY Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 is an educational effort focused at society, especially youngsters who were too young to actually understand the events of September 11th and what that day means to members of the fire service and the country as a whole.

The Project works with fire departments across the country to host the Rescues throughout the year. The Project coordinates with host fire departments to facilitate 9/11 educational programming, memorials and remembrance events. The Project strives to keep the memories alive of those lost on September 11th and all firefighters killed in the line of duty every year.

The Project is 100% operated by firefighters (IAFF members) from across the country volunteering their time. There are no paid members within the Remembrance Rescue Project. Donations are used for fuel, maintenance and travel costs for the Rescues with additional funds going directly to children of firefighters killed in the line of duty throughout the United States. The Project has provided financial contributions to six children of fallen firefighters killed over the three months. The Project is a registered charity and is awaiting approval for 501c3 status.

The Project has been in constant communication with FDNY since the Project’s inception last year and has eagerly cooperated with all requests for info and questions as the Project has developed. The Project has continued to inform FDNY public affairs with Project developments, in addition to making multiple requests for assistance with the historical and education aspects of the Project. Multiple FDNY members, survivors and 9/11 victims’ families have assisted the Project over the past year. The Project continues to welcome assistance from additional FDNY members and their families in order to preserve accuracy, enhance programming and maintain respect throughout.

All FDNY suggestions have been fulfilled to date with one exception that is currently in process with the F.D.N.Y markings on both Rescues. Volunteers spent hundreds of hours restoring both apparatus to serve as 9/11 artifacts and memorials. The Project is driven to limit any damage associated with the request in order to preserve the respect and honor for both trucks as historical artifacts, their members, families and what they represent to the fire service and the country. The Rescues are not only representative of FDNY, but the nation as a whole. Notably, the Rescues signify the most impacting event in recent American history, the greatest tragedy ever seen within the fire service and the largest rescue of life.

The Project is driven to grow and develop in order to allow our children the opportunity to see, touch and learn from an important piece of American history and the fire service. The Remembrance Rescue Project sincerely appreciates all assistance, support and feedback. Thank you.