February 28, 2002

RELEASE IMMEDIATELY

CONTACT:
Angela Jones, Public Information Officer
City Manager's Office
(510) 621-1230

RICHMOND TO HOST NEW YORK CITY FIRE FIGHTERS ON NATIONWIDE "THANK YOU" TOUR

Mayor Will Welcome Fire Fighters At Station House 
FDNY Ambassadors Tour To Encourage Travel and Tourism

Two fire fighters from New York City will get a chance to personally thank students at Highland Elementary School, 2829 Moyers Road, Richmond, on Friday, March 1, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. The Highland School students collected $1,324.42 in donations after the September 11, 2001 tragedy, which Richmond Fire Fighters presented to their colleagues in New York. Highland School students will participate in a previously scheduled fire drill and afterwards, fire fighters Richard Larocca and John Westfield will join several others from the Richmond Fire Department to meet the children.

Richmond Mayor Irma L. Anderson will welcome the New York City fire fighters at 1:00 p.m. at Fire Station 64, 4801 Bayview Avenue, Richmond.

Richmond fire fighters will treat their New York City colleagues to a variety of activities over the next four days, including fishing, golfing, skeet shooting, and a tour of the Bay Area. On Monday evening, approximately 25 New York City fire fighters visiting the Bay Area will be honored at a dinner in Oakland at the Fratellanza Club to pay tribute to all New York City Fire Fighters.

The nationwide campaign known as "Cities Unite America and Thank New York Fire Fighters," was spawned last month at the U.S. Conference of Mayors where more than 200 mayors pledged their support to show appreciation for the fire fighters' heroic efforts. New York City officials and tourism representatives say they hope Americans will follow the fire fighters' lead by making plans to travel to the many fun and interesting cities across the nation.

For more information, contact Richmond Fire Rod Woods, (510) 719-8413.