Senator Stachowski Honors Fallen Ems Workers

May 19, 2010

Senator William T. Stachowski today joined the statewide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community for a special remembrance ceremony in Albany which honored Louis J. Flury of the Union Fire Company in West Seneca, New York who died in the line of duty July 26, 1987, as well as two other EMS workers from Cape Vincent and Hudson Valley who lost their lives in service to others.  Members of the Union Fire Company and Vigilant Fire Department from Ebenezer, New York also participated in today’s ceremony.  

“It was a very somber and moving ceremony today,” said Senator Stachowski.  “I thought about Louis and others like him who so selflessly risk their own lives every day to help a stranger.  I had the chance to speak with Louis’s family who made this sad trip to Albany in honor of their brave son.  Words cannot possibly express the sadness and gratitude all of us feel for those individuals who willingly put themselves in harm’s way and ultimately lost their lives to save someone else.”   

The EMS Memorial in Albany features a large granite tablet with a graceful and flowing “Tree of Life” engraved into its surface.  This image is in keeping with the theme of the National EMS Memorial with the “leaves” on our New York “tree” in the shape of the “Star of Life,” the national symbol of EMS.  In honor of each member who falls in the line of duty, an EMS “star” in stainless steel with polished lettering and trim will be placed on the “tree.”  Each of these special stars will bear the member’s name, organization and date of death.

The New York State Emergency Medical Services Memorial is located on the North end of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, just north of the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial.