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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-11-071 - Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters' Association1 Staff Report Krr~.~-~~,i~iER CommunityServicesDepartment www.kitthenerta REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETI NG: June 20, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services Ext 2687 PREPARED BY: Cheryl York, Arts & Culture Co-ordinator Ext 3381 Kevin Schmalz, Kitchener Fire Memorial Committee Ext 2746 WARD(S) INVOL VED: Ward 10 DATE OF REPORT: April 26, 2011 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-071 SUBJECT: Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters' Association Donation RECOMMENDATION: That the proposed donation of an artefact by the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters' Association (KPFFA) be endorsed as an addition to the existing monument "Protecting the Memory" in Civic Centre Park; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with a representative of the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters' Association regarding the donation of the artefact as detailed in report CSD-11-071. BACKGROUND: In 2005, Council approved the recommendation to acquire a sculpture called "Protecting the Memory" as detailed in Report CSD-05-045. The bronze sculpture by Timothy Schmalz was donated by KPFFA, along with park playground equipment, lighting, pathways and park upgrades, to memorialize fire fighters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duty. The sculpture and play ground equipment were installed at Civic Centre park. Each year, the community gathers at the site to pay tribute to fallen fire fighters and other first responders. Personalized bronze commemorative helmets placed upon the armour-stone seat wall represent each of the fallen and this year Captain Bill Duncan's helmet will be unveiled joining 12 of his fallen brother firefighters. Another special bronze helmet will be utilized to identify this "9-11"artefact and pay tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11t", 2001. The KPFFA sponsored and paid for roughly 90% of a project that was approximately $300, 000. In the intervening years since 2005, the KPFFA learned that artefacts, taken from the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in September 2001, were being made available by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as memorial items to suitable applicants. The KPFFA applied for, and was successful in obtaining one of these artefacts on behalf of the community. The Port Authority selected an 11-foot steel I-beam to be given to KPFFA. The KPFFA felt that this artefact was a complimentary addition, important to the installation in Civic Centre Park this being the tenth anniversary year since the World Trade Centre tragedy. 7-1 1 Staff Report Krr~.~-~~,i~iER CommunityServicesDepartment www.kitthenerta REPORT: The artefact (Port Authority registration # H-0002) is a salvaged 11' steel I-beam with connection clip angles (at each end}. A welded steel plate has connection slots and fireproofing particles on its webbing; the ends have been cut for removal. The actual cross-section dimensions of the steel member are: 14" wide x 1 1/2" thick flanges, 14" deep x 1" thick web. There are no visible identification markings on the steel. KPFFA will sign a donation agreement provided by the Port Authority, insure the artefact, and arrange for transportation to Kitchener. KPFFA consulted with City staff from Community Services (Arts and Culture} and Infrastructure Services (Design and Development) regarding the proposal and the process for installation. Since the City now holds "Protecting the Memory" in its public art collection, the addition of this donated artefact would also become the city's responsibility. Consideration has been given to placement of the artefact to ensure public safety as well as opportunities for explanatory signage and visual aides. KPFFA proposes to organize an unveiling event to be held in September 2011. The city will provide some assistance to promote this event. Costs associated with transportation of the artefact, insurance, installation and unveiling event will be the responsibility of the KPFFA. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The KPFFA proposal supports "Quality of life" issues in our community by respecting those values we hold as a society: respect for cultural heritage; celebration of life and recognizing fire fighters and other first responders as an integral part of community safety; and reminders of the importance of community. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: A small amount of support will be provided by the city for implementation of the proposal including design assistance with signage and promotional assistance for the unveiling event. These expenses can be accommodated through existing operating budgets and will be in the region of $500. Costs associated with transportation of the artefact, insurance, installation and unveiling event will be the responsibility of the KPFFA, supported by the association's Memorial Fund. This fund is not a city account. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Public Art Working Group was consulted at its meeting on February 14, 2011. This committee provides oversight for the city's public art program. The committee had no concerns about the proposed donation. The KPFFA will be holding a public meeting in the neighbourhood and on June 19t" Fire HQ's Open House to provide information to the public in general about their proposal. CONCLUSION: The 10t" anniversary of the tragic events of September 11 t", 2001 is a fitting occasion to receive and dedicate this tangible reminder of what transpired in NYC, and that, even today, is etched in the hearts and minds of people across the globe. The following text, supplied by KPFFA, tells the story behind artefact donation representative, retired FDNY firefighter Lee lelpi who is President of the September 11th Families' Association 7-2 1 Staff Report Krr~.~-~~,i~iER CommunityServicesDepartment www.kitthenerta Tribute Center. The organization he helped establish provides education tutorials on its website for teaching children the lessons of 9/11. Lessons include what it is like to suffer loss and how to continue living when it may seem easier to succumb to anger or despair. "The FDNY response and evacuation of over 26,000 people speaks to the experience and dedication beyond the traditional training and preparedness. Despite the knowledge of a possible collapse, every member of the department who was dispatched and many who were off duty responded to the 5 alarm including my son Jonathan lelpi from FDNY Squad 288." It was winter when rescuers finally found lelpi 's first-born. They called lelpi at home on Long Island along with younger son Brendan who was just four months on the job as a firefighter in Brooklyn. On a cold December morning, Lee and Brendan helped carry the stretcher that bore what was left of Jonathan. By their sides were Jonathan's colleagues from Engine 288 in Queens. lelpi carried the body of his firefighter son, 29-year-old Jonathan lelpi, from the choking, twisted rubble of the World Trade Center. That was burden enough for the father of four grown children who gave 26 years of his life to the Fire Department of New York. Yet he pleads for tolerance, especially on September 11th. "It should be a special day to remember these people," he says. "You know how many people are still missing? Where they've found nothing (of them)? One thousand, one hundred and twenty-five. It's important to keep the memories of all these people who died alive." "Tomorrow can be a better day," lelpi says. "I can't bring my son back. I wish to God that could. But maybe I can make a better day for my grandkids. That's what we're trying to do." Of all the things he carries in his heart -- grief, pain, longing and loss -- Lee lelpi refuses to carry hate. "We've got a wonderful job ahead of us, we really do. As sad as it is, it's a wonderful job." Kitchener is honoured and proud to accept this donation of a salvaged steel I-beam artefact of the World Trade Center as a pledge to remember all victims of 9-11 and subsequently to acknowledge the bravery of 343 FDNY firefighters and 60 NY police officers who died in service to their citizens. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services 7-3