By Laura French
NEW YORK — A letter to FDNY members from department leaders urged members not to attend events marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter from Commissioner Daniel Nigro and Chief of Department John Sudnik, issued last week, states that members’ commitment to remembering the fallen must be balanced with an obligation to protect the health and safety of current and former members and their families.
“While our workforce has a high level of health and fitness, we must remember that many of our September 11th families and retired members – who we would normally welcome and encourage to attend September 11th events – are in groups that are most at risk for COVID-19 due to age and health,” the letter states.
Nigro and Sudnik wrote that the department is strongly recommending that members forgo the events but that units who still decide to participate in events must follow guidelines set to prevent the spread of the virus, including holding any events or gatherings outdoors only, limiting gatherings to 50 people maximum and requiring all attendees to wear face coverings.
Read the full letter below: