Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., and Assemblymember Michael Gianaris, far right, with the wives and children of Firefighters Downing, Fahey and Ford. Each family received a replica of the street sign honoring their fathers.

On Fathers Day, last Sunday, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. (D–Astoria) honored three firefighters who died in a fire on Astoria Boulevard on this holiday two years ago. Vallone renamed Astoria Boulevard between 12th and 14th Streets in honor of Firefighters John Downing of Ladder 163, Brian Fahey and Harry Ford, both of Rescue 4.

Vallone recalled at the time of the fire, then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani commented, "This is one of the most tragic days I can remember in the city. We lost three very, very brave and dedicated firefighters."

At the ceremony, Vallone was joined by members of the honored firefighters’ families and representatives of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and Uniformed Fire Officers Association.