All first responders killed during the 9/11 terror attacks will have modern red or blue street signs rolled out in their honor before the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, The Post has learned.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) is using $90,000 of her discretionary funds budget to replace 269 standard green street signs — which were hung shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, with the names of the fallen heroes, on the streets where they once lived.
Menin, a longtime advocate for 9/11 families, dipped into her funds at the request of Councilman Phil Wong (D-Queens), who first raised the sign issue during a Council hearing in March.
Wong mentioned that one of his constituents, John Vannata, husband of the late EMT hero Hilda Vannata, questioned the lack of consistency in the street signs when his wife — who died of a 9/11-related illness — was honored in 2024 with a red street sign.
In recent years, the city began honoring police who died in the line of duty — including those succumbing to 9/11-related illnesses – with blue street signs, while firefighters and EMTs received red signs, the councilman added.
Wong’s office initially reached out to the city Department of Transportation to replace the old green 9/11 hero signs, but turned to Menin and some other Council members for help — including Oswald Feliz (D-Bronx), who chairs the public safety committee, and Joann Ariola (R-Queens), who heads the fire and emergency management committee — after DOT said it couldn’t come up with the dough.
“This is exactly the kind of investment New Yorkers can get behind,” Wong told The Post.
“Honoring the brave men and women of the NYPD and FDNY who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 with a commemorative street sign is a small gesture, but one that is absolutely worth the time, effort, and taxpayer dollars.”
Menin said, “Ahead of the 25th anniversary, the Council is recognizing the heroes who lost their lives as a result of the tragic September 11th attacks.”
Feliz added: “Restoring the 9/11 fallen heroes signs reflects our longstanding gratitude and commitment to honor those who gave their lives in service to keep our city safe.”
There were 415 first responders who died during 9/11, but only those who lived in NYC had streets co-named after them.
