Posted by: |
Paul J. Messina |
On: |
3/17/2004 |
ID: |
166 |
At OLA on 12/1/58? |
Born before or after 12/1/58? |
Where Lived on 12/1/58? |
No |
Before |
New York City |
Several years ago, I had just completed class at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland when I was taken back in time. As I walked down the hall of the school, past the library, I came across a poster. I stood there, stopped cold in my tracks... And I remembered. I was back in my classroom at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School on the lower east side of Manhattan, a school and neighborhood very much like OLA and its community. I was in an early grade on that December morning in 1958. All did not seem normal, for the night before my parents were upset about news of a serious school fire in place called Chicago. And that particular morning, sister came into the room... We were all shocked, for it was the very first time that we'd ever seen a nun crying. Of course, that morning was December 2, 1958. As my recollection of the past faded, I continued looking at the poster in the hall of the Academy, staring at the faces of many beautiful young children. Above the faces of the kids was the title, "CHICAGO MOURNS", and above that the title of a newspaper "CHICAGO AMERICAN", the date, December 5th, 1958... the day that they were buried. I once again came across a picture of that very same newspaper cover page in a recent copy of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Journal. That particular issue was covering school safety. Yes, I certainly remember the incident. Something about this particular tragedy, and the thought of children dying as the result of fire has stayed with me throughout my life. And it had prompted me to do something positive about it years ago. When I moved my family out of New York City to a town in upstate New York, I was prompted to join the volunteer fire service. After a period of time, I was appointed to the position of Fire Prevention Officer for the district. Hence, my training as a Fire Safety Instructor and consequent attendance at the Fire Academy in Maryland. For the past seven years, I have worked to educate our kids in our schools about the critical subject fire safety... in their own schools and at home. Utilizing what I had learned at the Academy, I worked very hard to prepare a talk that I give to each class in our elementary schools, and boyscout troops, parent groups, seniors centers, etc. People have asked why I take the time to do this, considering the many hours that I dedicate to my paid job in the New York City Subway System and my long commute. I say that I'm doing it, "for the kids". After a lenghty talk to a second grade class at our own Catholic elementary school, St. Mary's of Fishkill, a young approached me and asked why I was doing this. I looked at her beautiful smiling face and then envisioned those kids' photos on the Chicago newspaper. I answered once again, "I'm doing this for the kids". Yes, I am doing this for Your Kids, for I will always remember your lost brothers, sisters, cousins... the moms and dads who lost their children on that December afternoon; I am doing it for you. I am also doing this volunteer work for our kids today, so that they be educated against the ravages of fire. I recently received some great news. After two years of perseverance... applications, letters to politicians, visits with political reps, I was finally able to secure a Fire Safety Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). I am going to use the money to purchase a fire safety trailer for our kids. It is an educational tool that we can take to the schools to educate the kids, preparing them for the unthinkable! When the trailer is built and dedicated to the town in a ceremony, I hope to mention to those present just why I feel so dedicated to this cause... the protection of our children. In my own mind and heart, I will dedicate it to your loved ones. In my heart, I am hoping that my efforts somehow alleviate the pain that your families have endured. Remember that your kids have not been forgotten, not by the thousands of volunteer and career fire professionals that work each day to keep our kids safe. And please remember that good has come out of a tragedy such as this. This is reflected in the present Fire Safety Programs that are taught at the National Fire Academy and brought to our children throughout the nation. The fire at OLA has ultimately resulted in the safer school construction standards for the facilities that our kids attend today. God Bless.
Paul Messina
Fire Prevention Officer
Rombout Fire District
Fishkill, New York
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