Family of Fallen Bristol Firefighter Upset Over Impact of Possible Government Shutdown

What a  full scale impact of a government shutdown will have on any given area is anyone’s guess.  The deadline for a deal between Democrats and Republicans to come up with a way  they can each can live with to fund the federal government is midnight.

As of Monday morning, the potential for any deal between warring parties seems unlikely. The Wall Street Journal reported the Senate is expected to vote against the continuing resolution bill the House passed earlier this weekend.

Here at home, the effects of  a shutdown will be felt by family, friends and fellow first- responders  beginning at next weekend’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremonies, which will be cancelled, according to a report from ABC 2 News.

“The annual event is set to honor 73  fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2012 and eight others that died in previous years,” the report says.

David A Wintz Sr., a Bristol Borough firemen, is among those to set to be honored during the memorial weekend.

The  memorial is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the survivors of fallen firefighters, National Fallen Firefighters’ Foundation executive director Ron Siarnicki told ABC 2 news.

“If they are not able to visit the memorial to honor their loved ones then in many ways you’re making them suffer again,” he said

“If the government shuts down, families won’t be allowed on the grounds of the monuments,” Sue Wintz- Griscavage, Wintz’s daughter and a first responder herself for the Bristol Borough Fire Company  said late Saturday afternoon.

Late Saturday night, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick released a press statement about the potential for a continuing resolution vote but didn’t specifically address questions LevittownNow.com asked.  Fitzpatrick is a member of the  Congressional Fire Services Caucus and his staff attended Wintz’s  memorial service in Bristol Borough earlier this summer.

“It breaks my heart to know there that there is not one ounce sympathy for the mourning families of the firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I’m sure I’m not the only one that is in disbelief over this,” Griscavage said.

Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack  said the plans made to travel to Maryland for the services, including renting a bus for those who would like to attend the memorial service is still scheduled as of Monday morning.

There are total of nine firefighters from the Commonwealth who are to be commemorated, four from the Philadelphia region.

Siarnicki told ABC 2 News if a shutdown occurred the plan is to hold the event “nearby” at Mount St. Mary College.  The service was held there last year due to rain, he said, but a shutdown complicates matters because participants visit the memorial in days leading up to that service and there would be no quarters for the honor guard, the cafeteria would be closed forcing last minute arrangements by the foundation for outside catering services which in turn would force NFFMF to spend additional funds.

The memorial service represents a step toward their recovery from mourning,” Siarnicki told ABC 2. “Getting  to honor a  fallen loved one is to also realize they are not alone. To take that away from them would be a shame.”