State-of-the-Art Facility Designed to Cut Response Time to Terminals; Ceremony
To Honor Fallen NYC Heroes
DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- DFW Airport will
officially open its newest Department of Public Safety (DPS) station on
September 11, and will be dedicating it to honor the men and women of the New
York City Police Department, Fire Department, EMS and New York New Jersey Port
Authority who gave their lives during the terrorist attacks two years ago.
The City of New York is sending representatives from each of the honored
entities to participate in the dedication, which will also feature two
military fly-overs, bagpipers and a ceremonial bell ringing to officially open
DPS Station Number 5. A bronze plaque mounted on granite near the station's
entryway commemorates the fallen heroes of New York.
Representatives from New York include Danny Brandenberger, FDNY
firefighter, Ladder 120, Haz Mat Battalion; Capt. Jack O'Loughlin, FDNY EMS,
of Harlem; and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Captain Kevin
Devlin -- all of whom were on duty September 11, 2001.
"We are deeply honored that our colleagues from New York are making time
in their hectic schedules to attend the station dedication," said DFW Fire
Chief Alan Black. "Our entire Department of Public Safety salutes all members
of those New York City departments, and we are very glad to host them for our
event. We hope it sends the message loud and clear: we will never forget the
incredible heroism by all that day."
Due to its proximity to DFW's four terminals, the new station will
significantly improve response time to the terminal area and enhance the
safety of all guests of the Airport. DFW Airport Fire Services responds to
approximately 2,500 EMS calls each year with more than 80 percent originating
within the terminals. The new station will enable police, fire or rescue
personnel to reach the terminals in four minutes or less which cuts critical
response time by more than one minute.
The 23,000 square foot facility will be the most advanced of any airport
facility in the U.S. "DFW thought it would be most fitting and appropriate to
dedicate the station to the memory of the fallen New York Police, Fire, EMS
and Port Authority personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice on
September 11, 2001," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW Airport. "Every airport,
every emergency worker in America identifies with and appreciates the valor
and courage of those lost on that date. The station dedication is a finite
way we can remember those sacrifices and commitment to duty every day of the
year."
Bagpipers from Dallas Fire-Rescue and Dallas Police Department will play
as New York and DFW personnel place a wreath near the station's dedication
plaque. The plaque reads: "In memory of the firefighters, police officers and
emergency medical personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice on
September 11, 2001. May this station serve as a reminder of the courage and
integrity displayed by the men and women of our profession that tragic day in
history. The angels shall watch over them today and forever."
The ceremony also will feature scheduled military fly-overs from the 80th
Flying Training Wing (FTW) at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas
and the 552nd Airborne Control Wing (ACW) at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
City. A fly-over by a CareFlight air ambulance that serves DFW will be
accompanied by patriotic music performed by rising local singing star Kristy
Lee of Frisco. DFW is inviting the entire Airport community as well as
representatives from other area public safety departments to the event. The
ceremony will close with a ceremonial ringing of a fire bell, proclaiming the
station open for duty.
Delta Airlines is donating round-trip airfare to each of the
representatives from New York's LaGuardia Airport to DFW, and the Embassy
Suites-Outdoor World, just north of DFW, is providing accommodations.
About DFW Airport:
Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW
International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 2,000
flights per day and serving 54 million passengers a year. DFW
International Airport provides non-stop service to 132 domestic and
30 international destinations worldwide.
About Station #5:
Wright Commercial Contracting Inc. of Plano, Texas was awarded
$5.28 million to build the structure. The 23,000 square foot building will
house 15 firefighter/paramedics responsible for providing fire and EMS
services to the Airport, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The facility is outfitted with a fire truck, two mobile intensive care
units and a mobile command post. The location of the new facility was
determined based on call load to the central terminal area.
Editor's Notes:
This release, and past news releases issued by DFW International Airport,
are available online at http://www.dfwairport.com in the "MediaSite" section.
For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or
further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International
Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com .
SOURCE DFW International Airport
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Related links:
http://www.dfwairport.com
CONTACT:
Ken Capps, APR, VP Public Affairs of DFW
International Airport, +1-972-574-8080
NOTE TO EDITORS: To arrange interviews contact DFW Public Affairs
at +1-972-574-NEWS [6397] or Ken Capps, APR, Vice President
Public Affairs, kcapps@dfwairport.com
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