Firefighters from across Monroe County and the northeast region gathered over the two day tournament at Deerfield Country Club to pay tribute to the fallen heroes from New York State, raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, play some golf and enjoy the brotherhood that fighting fires fosters.
The opening ceremony kicked off the event with the pledge to the flag, a prayer from Chaplain Fred Rogers and acknowledging the survivors that made the trip to thank everyone for hosting the event. The Honor Guard was provided by the Emergency Communications Department (9-1-1 Center) with bagpipe music courtesy of the Gates Police Keystone Club Pipes and Drums.
This year’s tribute was dedicated to two fallen heroes. Waterloo Fire Department’s Fire Police Captain Bernard Pete Scannell suffered a heart attack and went off the road while driving their rescue truck to a reported vehicle fire. Despite the valiant efforts of other firefighters at the scene where he regained a pulse, he succumbed at the hospital within the hour after arriving there.
The second fallen hero remembered was Owego Fire Department Company #3’s Captain Matthew Porcari. While advancing on the fire in an interior fire attack in Newark Valley, the floor collapsed beneath Captain Porcari and a second firefighter. The other firefighter was able to free himself successfully. Despite the crew’s best efforts, Captain Porcari succumbed to his injuries shortly after he arrived at the hospital.
The Captain’s widow, Christina Porcari, was escorted by West Webster Fire Chief James Deisenroth during the ceremony. Mrs. Porcari is very appreciative of the Foundation and all it does for the survivors of the fallen. In addition to her, there were a total of 11 survivor families in attendance during the tournament.
The local tournament is one of 30 held nationwide and has raised over $300,000 for the Foundation during the eight years it has been in existence.
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