FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thousands of Fire Fighters Ready For Monday’s 9-11 Tribute

IAFF Gathers for 46th Convention in Las Vegas

August 8, 2002, LAS VEGAS -- A moving and emotional remembrance of the heroism and tragedy of September 11, featuring the FDNY Emerald Society Bagpipe and Drum Band and other tributes to the fire fighters who gave their lives in the line of duty, will mark the opening ceremonies of the 46th Biennial Convention of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas on Monday, August 12.

Other activities during the weeklong meeting will include a Wednesday press conference unveiling plans for a permanent tribute to 9-11 heroes at the New York, New York Casino. Thousands of fire fighters have placed shirts with their fire department or union logos on a railing outside the casino and fire fighters attending the IAFF convention will drop hundreds more during the event.

Fire fighters at the weeklong convention at the Mandalay Bay Hotel will hear from prominent fire service and political leaders, including: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle; Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney; U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison; James Shannon of the National Fire Protection Association; and FDNY Battalion Chief Richard Picciotto, author of the best-seller Last Man Down, chronicling his experiences at Ground Zero.

Thousands of fire fighters, including many who were involved in responding to the 9-11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, will gather in this Nevada city from August 11-16 for what will be the largest convention in the IAFF’s history.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger will deliver his State of the Union address to close the Monday morning ceremony. Among others participating will be Clint Holmes, a well-known Las Vegas entertainer, who will perform his 9-11-inspired song Who Will Stand.

The IAFF represents more than 255,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 80 percent of the nation’s population. In the wake of 9-11, the IAFF established the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund that has raised and disbursed more than $144 million to the families of the 347 IAFF members killed at Ground Zero.

Contact: Michael Crouse for comment or to arrange to attend the conference at (202) 824-1504.