WHEREAS, On Thursday, May 18, 2000, the Heat Nightclub on Delaware Avenue’s Pier 34, collapsed plunging dozens of revelers into the cold, murky waters of the Delaware River amid a cascade of debris; and
WHEREAS, As a result of the collapse of Pier 34, calls for skilled rescue workers were frantically made to many different city, state, and regional entities with expertise in dealing with crisis situations; and
WHEREAS, The call for help crossed city and state lines, and with admirable professionalism, fire and rescue teams from across the region responded to the crisis situation; and
WHEREAS, These rescue workers from across the region, through a unified and organized effort in a race against the clock, assisted in the dangerous search-and-rescue mission that followed this tragedy in a painstaking search for victims which included the death of three young women and injuries to at least 36 others; and
WHEREAS, The rescue effort included Chief of Staff Stephanie Franklin-Suber and other officials from Mayor John Street’s administration, Philadelphia Police and Firefighters, the Managing Director’s Office, the Department of Licenses and Inspections, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the American Red Cross, as well as various rescue workers from the city, state, suburbs, and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Through the efforts of these various rescue workers, this catastrophic situation was brought under control in an organized manner with every attempt being made to minimize the loss of life and potential for injury to both the victims of this accident and the rescue workers that attempted to save the victims’ lives; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor all emergency services personnel for their management of the crisis that surrounded the Pier 34 collapse and the search-and-rescue mission that followed.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to all emergency personnel that assisted in the search-and-rescue efforts following the collapse of Pier 34. This resolution is evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body for the efficient and admirable service that these entities provide to the citizens of both Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
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