Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 01/12/2

Twelve representatives from Cornwall Fire Brigade and Cornwall County Council have just returned from a “poignant and very emotional” trip to New York to present a World Peace Garden Window to the City Fire Department on behalf of the people of Cornwall and the Brigade.

The trip, which included County Councillor Jill Ferrett, the Executive Member for Public Protection; Cornwall’s Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell and nine serving firefighters from St. Austell and Newquay, was made possible through fund raising and personal sponsorship.

Following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, the generosity of people in Cornwall resulted in a cheque for $68,000 being presented to the United States Ambassador at a special ceremony in London.

Cornwall’s firefighters, however, wanted to do more to pay tribute to the bravery of the 343 New York City Fire Department personnel who lost their lives in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

When retired Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Ken Thompson, who also travelled with the group, learnt about the World Peace Garden Stained Glass Window Project and told firefighters at St Austell, they decided to hold a ‘rowathon’ to raise money to provide two stained glass windows - one to be installed in the new fire station at St. Austell and the second at the New York City Fire Department.

Jill Ferrett unveiled the window at St. Austell Fire Station earlier this year and this trip saw her jointly unveiling the second window at the New York’s Fire Department’s Training Academy on Randall’s Island, just off Manhattan with Nicholas Scoppetta, the Commissioner for New York City Fire Department.
The moving ceremony was also attended by the Chief of the New York City Fire Department, Frank Cruthers, Fire Chief Nicholas Santangelo, and serving and recruit firefighters from New York City Fire Department, as well as the group from Cornwall.

“It was a great honour to be able to explain first hand to personnel in New York about the sympathy and generosity of the people of Cornwall. “ said Jill Ferrett. “I was able to tell them about our relatively poor economy and how scarce money can be. Nevertheless $68,000 had been raised within weeks of the attack on the Twin Towers and presented to the US Ambassador in London. When the fund raising began for the window project yet again, our community responded positively.”

As part of the presentation ceremony Firefighter Mark Pratten from St. Austell Fire Station, who jointly led fund raising with Leading Firefighter Jock Wheeldon from Newquay Fire Station, read out a message from the designer of the window, Pamela Pace and told the story about the twin window housed at St. Austell.

Jock Wheeldon also presented a book of condolences with messages of sympathy collected during fund raising activities at Asda Supermarket, St. Austell, Par Market and outside Woolworth, Newquay.

“It is often said that the Fire Service is one big family and the loss of any firefighter is felt by all of us. “said Firefighter Mark Pratten. “We felt that the loss of so many colleagues at one incident, together with the civilian victims who were working or visiting the Twin Towers, deserved a special and fitting tribute. “

“I believe the window is an appropriate and fitting memorial and I am delighted that it was so well received by our colleagues in New York”.
As part of his address Mick Howell, Chief Fire Officer said “The 343 heroes of 9/11 reflect the real difference between the remarkable commitment of all public servants and the unique quality of emergency responders and that is that they will, without hesitation, put the lives of others far ahead of any thoughts about their own personal safety. “

“As one of our Brigade Chaplain’s once said “Firefighters are not special people. They are ordinary people doing a special job”. Their unswerving dedication to helping others, whatever the circumstances, is without doubt a very special quality”.

Adding that the whole visit had been extremely emotional, Mr Howell said the most moving part was when a serving firefighter, based at the Training Academy, approached the group shortly after the presentation.

“ He told us that he thought the window was really beautiful and he really appreciated what we had done. “said Mick Howell. “He then presented me with two small crucifixes, cut from some of the steel recovered from Tower No. 1, explaining that he had worked on that tower as part of the rescue operation”.

The ceremony ended with Jill Ferrett presenting a County Council plaque to Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta on behalf of the Chairman and all Members of the County Council, and Cornwall Fire Brigade plaques being presented to New York City Fire Department Chief Frank Cruthers and head of the Training Academy, Nicholas Santangelo.

An information leaflet explaining more about the project is currently being prepared to be sent to New York. Colleagues from New York who may be visiting the United Kingdom are also being to visit St. Austell Fire Station and view the window which is installed there.
The presentation attracted keen Press interest and was broadcast on television in New York City on CBS television Channel 2.