MARCH 1, 2023
It was one year ago when firefighters rushed to the scene of a four-alarm fire on Main Street in Buffalo's Historic Theatre District. By late afternoon we learned one firefighter had died. He was identified as 37-year-old Jason Arno; a husband, father and friend to many, stationed at Engine 2.
Nine days after Arno's death, thousands of people from all over the country gathered in Western New York to show their support for the fallen hero as he was laid to rest.
MARCH 1, 2024
On Friday, one year after Arno's tragic death, family and friends gathered once again to remember the fallen hero.
A special Ceremony of Remembrance took place Friday morning at the scene of the fire at 745 Main Street.
“Attention all companies, it is with heavy heart that today we mark one year since we lost our brother Jason Arno,” stated a Buffalo Fire radio call to begin the ceremony.
The somber radio call was heard as Arno's heartbroken wife Sarah, their daughter Olivia, and a large crowd of firefighters, family and friends stood side by side remembering a hero who died in the line of duty.
“As we stand here, shoulder to shoulder at this holy place, we mark that time a year ago when this community stood shoulder to shoulder in grief bewilderment and loss, God of mercy,” prayed Father Paul Seil, chaplain, Buffalo Fire Department.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown also spoke calling Arno’s death "gut-wrenching" and a "heartbreaking" reminder of what his service as a firefighter cost.
“The pain we felt one year ago can still be felt today, but remember this Firefighter Arno did not die in vain. He died a hero who will never be forgotten,” reflected Mayor Brown.
Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo stated how profound Arno’s unexpected death was.
He was "dedicated to helping others with unshakable optimism who put service before self and personified what it means to be a Buffalo Firefighter,” Renaldo remarked.
Members of Engine #2, the firehouse on Virginia and Elmwood Arno once called home were in full force to remember him.
“Today is one year without Yay. Let's never forget. Let us always honor and remember him,” said Scott Janowski, captain, Engine 2.
Engine 2's fire captain says Arno was "one of a kind."
“We have heard this phrase often -- the meaning of the word to get lost. But I want Jay’s mother Cheryl, his wife Sarah and his daughter Olivia, and the rest of his family to know that the men and women of the Buffalo Fire Department promise to never forget Jason. We will never forget the small things he did, especially when no one was looking. In my opinion, that is what set him apart,” recalled Captain Janowski.
After the ceremony, 7 News Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley asked Janowski how his team moves forward each knowing the dangers they face.
“We have a duty to protect the citizens and our motto – ‘Ut Vivant Alii’ -- 'Always May Live' is huge in the Buffalo Fire Department so every man and woman in the fire department, they've got to get up and do it and while that was happening, they heard their member down, other calls came in and we had to respond because if we don't go who's going,” replied Captain Janowski.
HONORING ARNO
Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo says the city plans to put a permanent memorial on Main Street where Arno died battling the four-alarm blaze.
"At some point, there will be something...some kind of structure there on Main Street," Renaldo tells 7 News Anchor Lia Lando.
"He was a natural leader, number one. He had a servant's heart. He loved to serve people. He loved to serve his community and everything about him spoke volumes about the impact he would have had on the department and on the community."
ONE YEAR LATER: WHAT'S CHANGED?
One year after Arno's death, Buffalo's fire commissioner says changes have been made to keep the brave men and women safe. That includes the addition of a critical incident committee which meets quarterly.
"What they're looking at is anything we can see that we can improve from tactical or operational standpoint," said Commissioner Renaldo.
Another change is the addition of thermal imaging on every firefighter. Renaldo says this will allow crews to identify areas of egress in case there needs to be an evacuation.
"We've gone as far as verifying everybody's portable radios by position. That means we can tell who that person is and what they're assigned to," Renaldo added.
The Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 also wants to ensure firefighter safety. The union is delivering special ID accountability tags to firefighters thanks to the generosity of the Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation.
The Fire Commissioner says Arno is constantly on his mind. "Always. This job is so inherently risky. Everyone knows that. Jason knew that."
Renaldo says while they have made some changes, they continue to look for more ways to improve the department and says it is the single most traumatic thing that can happen in any organization.
"Yeah, it's tough. it's hard to get our arms wrapped around it but we are... and we are looking at ways to move forward and make the department safer," said Renaldo.
Renaldo says he wants to thank the community for its ongoing support
and asks everyone to, "keep Jason and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
