Tropicana to show firefighter service

A bay area firefighter helps organize the simulcast of a New York service for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

By ANNE LINDBERG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 7, 2001

Lou Sclafani, a district chief for the Pinellas Park Fire Department, couldn't wait to get to New York for a memorial service honoring firefighters killed in the World Trade Center attack.

His wife, Sue, was less enthusiastic.

"My wife and I had a disagreement whether I should be flying," Sclafani said.

Out of that disagreement came inspiration. Sclafani began thinking about others who wanted to go but could not. He thought it would be great if Florida firefighters and paramedics had a common place to share their grief. Then, he thought about simulcasting, and Tropicana Field.

He and fellow Pinellas Park firefighters visited the Devil Rays and found a sympathetic ear.

On Nov. 18 the Trop will open its doors for free to firefighters, paramedics and anyone else who wants to attend a simulcast of the event from Madison Square Garden, expected to be the largest gathering of firefighters in history.

"As a major league team, we're sometimes in a position to help in times of need, and this is one of those," said Rick Vaughn, a Devil Rays spokesman. "We all see this as just another way to try to help the community through this terrible time."

Doors will open at 10 a.m. Local dignitaries will begin speaking about 10:40. The New York service begins at 11. It is scheduled to run for two hours.

"It's for all the people who can't go to New York," Scalfani said. "It's just one spot where fire guys from all over the state, if they so choose, can be part of the memorial."

He added, "This isn't just for fire guys. If the general public and the citizens want to come and show their respect, (they are) invited."

The memorial service to honor the 344 firefighters and paramedics who died Sept. 11 is a joint effort of the International Association of Firefighters, two IAFF local unions from New York and New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani.

President Bush and New York state Gov. George Pataki have been invited to speak.

More than 50,000 uniformed firefighters are expected to participate in the processional march and services.

Like the New York event, the St. Petersburg service will be preceded by a procession of fire trucks that will depart from Ulmerton Road about 9 a.m.

A reception after the service will be held at Ferg's, a sports bar across from Tropicana Field.

The restaurant has agreed to donate 10 percent of all sales during the reception to the firefighters disaster relief fund. Containers will also be located in Tropicana Field for donations.

Sclafani and his co-organizers have set up a Web site -- www.realeinc.com/fdny -- so people can get more information about the event as plans gel.

The site also has a place for attendees to RSVP.

It's not mandatory that people let organizers know they are coming, Sclafani said, but it's recommended to help with the planning.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright