On September 9th, 2025, Passaic firefighters, the Mayor and Council, and citizens gathered to rededicate our Firefighters Memorial Park and reaffirm our commitment to remembering the lives, service, and sacrifice of our fallen firefighters. This monument, located at the top of our 100+ steps, stands as a living memorial—a place where generations will be reminded of the courage and dedication shown by those who answered the call to protect us.

In our history, the memory of Battalion Chief Joseph Griffin and Firefighter Sam Latona remains a guiding light. In 1970, Griffin, a 20-year veteran, and Latona, only 24 years old with less than a year of service, lost their lives in a tragic Third Street tenement fire when the building collapsed. The original monument has stood as a symbol for nearly five decades.

In 2007, Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost relocated the memorial to the Westside Fire Station, where it remained for the past 17 years as a solemn reminder of sacrifice. Today's rededication strengthens its meaning and ensures it will continue to stand as a beacon of remembrance.

These are some of the words I shared today:

The engraved names on the stone are more than names—they are fathers, sons, brothers, friends, and colleagues. Each life was lived with service, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the people of Passaic. Their legacy is felt not only in stone but in the daily safety we enjoy and in the example they set for all of us.

To the families that gathered with us today: the City of Passaic stands with you. Your loved ones will never be forgotten. To all of our firefighters serving today—thank you for carrying forward the same courage and dedication we honored at this ceremony.

This rededication is not the end of our remembrance, but a renewal of our promise: to keep their memory alive and to continue building a city worthy of their sacrifice. May this park forever remind us that freedom, safety, and community are safeguarded by those willing to put themselves in harm’s way.