Community gathers to honor fallen Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It was a somber Saturday morning in Buffalo as loved ones, friends and colleagues remembered the life of fallen Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno.

Saturday marked two years since Arno died while battling a four-alarm fire on Main Street. His brothers and sisters in the department honored his legacy.

Two years after Arno’s death, his family, including his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Olivia, stopped by the site to pay their respects and honor the fallen hero. As the family placed flowers and photos along the fence, members of the Buffalo Fire Department stood by showing their support.

“This is how we pay tribute to our fallen firefighters, and we never forget,” said Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo. “That’s the one thing we always say — we never forget — and we’re always there for the families. I can’t say enough about the strength and the courage and the grace that the Arno family has shown.”

“More than anything, just want the family — his wife, Sarah, his daughter, Olivia — to know, me as mayor, and the residents of the City of Buffalo will never be able to express the debt of gratitude that we have for Firefighter Arno and his dedicated and heroic service to the City of Buffalo,” said Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon.

More than 100 firefighters stood out in the cold to honor one of their own taken too soon.

“They’ve come together, it’s just been incredible,” Renaldo said.

“It just shows that the brotherhood and the sisterhood is alive and well,” said Will Unger, communications for Local 282. “The fire service is a community like no other. We show up and we show out for our fallen heroes not just here at home, but across the whole nation and Canada.”

During Saturday morning’s remembrance ceremony, the Buffalo Fire Department unveiled a commemorative firefighter helmet with Arno’s name.

“These memorials just show that these members gave it all for their city,” Unger said. “They put their lives on the line to protect the citizens, neighbors, friends, family, people that they don’t even know.”

“I think it’s great, the work that they’re doing. And just a reminder about how inherently dangerous that this job really is, and it’s really not for the faint of heart,” Renaldo said. “It’s just a tribute to our firefighters who go out there every day and do this job.”

It ensures that Arno will never be forgotten.

“I believe Jason is up there right now looking down on us,” Renaldo said.

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Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

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