New York firefighter honored

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some New York City firefighters sought comfort in each other's arms as their former deputy chief posthumously received the first Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award at a dinner Saturday night.\nDowney's family accepted the award bearing his name during a dinner concluding the largest gathering of firefighters since Sept. 11.\nThe chief of special operations command and New York City's most decorated firefighter was killed during the rescue effort after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.\nDowney, who had responded to earthquakes, hurricanes and airplane crashes before, was one of the first firefighters on the scene that day.\nThe gold medal and $50,000 award are honors Downey would have been reluctant to accept, his family said.\n"Because he was very humble, he'd probably say, 'All right, that's enough.' But deep down inside, he'd be proud," said his daughter, Marie Tortorici.\nDowney, 63, was a firefighter for nearly 40 years. An expert in urban search-and-rescue, he led a team of New York City firefighters who responded to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.\n"It's a bittersweet moment for me," said Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, who presented the award.\nKeating, who called Downey a true friend, said Downey diagnosed and helped shore up tottering Murrah Building so rescue and recovery operations could proceed.\n"Ray was a hugely successful human being," said Keating, who gave Downey a rosary in Oklahoma City that he was wearing Sept. 11. "I was always fascinated by people like Downey, who would rush in when others would not."\nFor Downey's family, the award ensures a legacy that began too soon.\n"I wish he was here to accept it," said his son, Capt. Joe Downey, also a New York firefighter. "He's been to this show so many times as a firefighter. It's an honor for us to have it in his name."\nOrganizers say the weeklong Fire Department Instructors Conference was the largest gathering of firefighters since the attacks. About 25,000 firefighters attended the conference, and about 540 attended the dinner.\nPenWell Corporation, which owns the magazine Fire Engineering, and the conference established the Courage and Valor Foundation, which plans to honor a firefighter annually for his or her courage.\nThe foundation is in memory of the 343 firefighters who died Sept. 11. It has raised $400,000 of a $1 million goal and plans to award the income from the fund each year, said Robert Biolchini, president and CEO of Tulsa, Okla.-based Penwell.