Res 1175-2016

By Council Members Cabrera, Cohen, Richards, Palma, Gentile, Koo and Chin Whereas, Every day, New Yorkers rely on first responders to provide assistance in emergencies, some of which are life-and-death situations; and Whereas, First responders include firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics; and Whereas, While working to help and often save the lives of others, first responders risk their own safety, with an annual national average of 155 police officers and 97 firefighters dying in the line of duty, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"); and Whereas, CDC data also show that emergency medical services responders are two and a half times more likely than the average worker to die while on the job; and Whereas, The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which the CDC states killed more than 400 emergency responders, brought particular attention to their sacrifice; and Whereas, Mass shootings, attacks, and natural disasters in recent years have once again highlighted the danger of their work and their courage to save others; and Whereas, Momentum has been building around the country to honor the service and dedication of first responders; and Whereas, In 2007, United States ("U.S.") Senator Wayne Allard from Colorado and U.S. Representative David Reichert from Washington introduced S.Res.215 and H.Res.592, respectively, designating a day in September as National First Responder Appreciation Day; and Whereas, S.Res.215 passed the U.S. Senate, but its companion bill did not pass the U.S. House of Representatives; and Whereas, More than 20 states have since designated September 27th as First Responder Appreciation Day, according to the Colorado General Assembly; and Whereas, In 2016, New York State Assembly Member Albert Stirpe and New York State Senator David Valesky introduced A.10185 and S.7349, respectively, which designate an annual Emergency Responders' Appreciation Day, although neither bill passed; and Whereas, New York City should take the step to honor its first responders by dedicating an annual day of appreciation; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes every September 27th as First Responder Appreciation Day. LS# 6146 7/27/2016 LW