FDNY Pays Tribute to the Fire Patrol
FDNY Insider 5/14/09
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The bronze plaque dedicated to Fire Patrolman Keith Roma, who was killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. (L to R) Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano; Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta; Arnold Roma, father of Fire Patrolman Keith Roma; and Chris Gill, President of the National Board of Underwriters. |
The FDNY honored members of the Fire Patrol lost in the line of duty, unveiling two plaques that paid tribute its fallen members on May 13.
One of the plaques was dedicated for Fire Patrolman Keith Roma, who was killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
“We are delighted to honor the members of the Fire Patrol and commemorate the great work they did for the City,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta during the unveiling ceremony at FDNY Headquarters.
Chris Gill, President of the National Board of Underwriters, added, “We appreciate the importance of this day [for the FDNY].”
A wooden memorial plaque, listing the 32 members of the Patrol who were lost in the line of duty since 1803, will be hung at the Fire Academy. The Fire Patrol was disbanded in 2006.
Another bronze plaque, honoring Fire Patrolman Roma, was presented the Patrol member’s father, Arnold Roma. The five-year member of the Fire Patrol was killed after making eight or nine trips into the North Tower, helping people escape.
“This is a greatest moment since the most tragic thing that happened to [our family],” said Mr. Roma, who also served in the Patrol for two years. He described his son as laid back and kind, “he would do anything for you.”
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano added, “These plaques recognize what the Patrol has done for us for the last 200 years. There was always a bond between the members of the Fire Patrol and firefighters, and we will never forget them.”
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Reverend Stephen Harding, FDNY Chaplain, admires the plaque honoring all Fire Patrol members who have been killed in the line of duty. The plaque will soon be hung at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall's Island. |
About the Fire Patrol
The Fire Patrol was created to protect property from water damage during a fire or emergency.
It’s history can traced back to 1803 when 63 merchants and residents in the downtown area formed an organization called the Mutual Assistance Bag Company.
The members would respond to fires and remove the building’s contents in bags to a safer location. One member would remain at the scene to prevent looting. The Mutual Assistance Bag Company was a voluntary organization just as the fire department was at the time.
In 1835, the Association of Fire Insurance Companies took over the operation and employed four men at an annual salary of $250 each, making it the first paid fire service organization in New York City.
Their duties were to attend to all fires occurring at night in the mercantile district. In 1858, a day force of two men was appointed.
The State Legislature granted a charter to the New York Board of Fire Underwriters in 1867, giving them the authority to “organize a corp of men who were employed to enter burning buildings and secure the property contained herein.”
All of the patrol’s quarters were owned and constructed by the Board of Fire Underwriters.
The service was disbanded in 2006, when three patrols were still in operation, located in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
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