Why is fdny irish

The two forces met on the staircase. Police officers and fire fighters going up, responding to the emergency, and the Irish- Americans, among others of course, leaving, escaping the danger as best they could. Most were in their 30s and 40s and had become very successful. They used to do fundraising events for me in lower Manhattan.

You had the funerals. It was sad. It was horrible. There were bagpipers at all the police and fire department funerals. Dads brought their sons and brothers. The fire department lost men at the World Trade Center. Three-quarters of those fatalities — men — were Irish-American members of the Emerald Society. In the rubble of the Twin Towers, rescue workers reportedly found many Claddagh rings, the clasped hands and heart symbolising friendship, loyalty and love.

The New York police department lost 23 men, the Port Authority police Nolan and McCool arrived after the towers collapsed, to search through the rubble. It was a horror movie.

You just hope the act of bringing that hand gave someone closure, instead of the awful not knowing. In the end, there were close to services for firemen — 23 on one day alone. McCool has a drawer full of T-shirts bearing the names of dead men. Pressure grew for a more organized and professional firefighting squad. By , the Metropolitan Fire Department was rolled out, the first force paid to protect New Yorkers from fire.

There was only one problem — at least as far as Tammany Hall was concerned. The Metropolitans were run by state officials rather than those based in New York City. That meant that power — and budgetary money — resided in Albany rather than in New York City. Thus was born the Fire Department of New York. This also gave rise to a new concern for the health and safety of firefighters.

Thousands of others endured a variety of terrible ailments in subsequent decades. They wrote:. Advocates are hoping a vote to approve the extension of the Zadroga Act will be taken by September 11, Thousands have become gravely ill and many have died terrible deaths. They should be honored with a memorial wall on the plaza, not just an exhibition in the unfinished museum. Finally, there is the ongoing work of the foundations that have been established to raise awareness and funds for health services, as well as to honor those who died after serving at Ground Zero.

Funds will contribute to the construction of a youth center in Blue Point, Long Island, where John McNamara lived with his wife and son. For more details about The Johnny Mac Foundation, or to donate, go to www. The only jobs they could get were the civil service jobs that were dirty, dangerous or both — firefighters and police officers — jobs that no one else wanted.

Both of these careers were considered undesirable due to low pay, few benefits, and poor working conditions. The Irish gladly accepted these careers because it was a way to become a part of mainstream America, and it was a way to give back to their new country. The Irish transformed the job of night watchman and fire watch into the organized police and fire departments we see today. Gradually, the Irish started many of the traditions that are still in existence today.