Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The skies cleared at just the right time Friday afternoon as the Buffalo fireboat Edward M. Cotter made way up the Buffalo River to the foot of Hamburg Street to an awaiting throng of cameras and city officials.
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With water spraying from its giant firefighting nozzles into the river, ceremonies were underway celebrating the 123rd anniversary of the laying of the keel for the boat which serves as the oldest working fireboat in the world.
"Today we’re proclaiming March 24th, 2023 Edward M Cotter Day," stated Buffalo Fire Deputy Commissioner Ramon Suarez. An official proclamation was handed-off to Fireboat E.M. Cotter Conservancy President Larry Cobado along the shoreline of the river.
"This is really a timely time for a proclamation declaring Edward M. Cotter day today," Cobado said as he announced a capital campaign is underway to raise funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the historic boat. "We have an ultimate goal of $6 million to bring the Cotter back to its full working condition," he said. Cobado says about $720 thousand is needed for immediate work to be completed.
Standing proudly in attendance for the proclamation were two local women who are namesakes to the floating fireboat. Both Eileen Cotter Bowman and Kathleen Davidson Ferrick Cotter are granddaughters of the late Edward M. Cotter who the boat is named in memory of.
"He would be shocked that it was named in his honor because he was a pretty humble guy," said Bowman. "Our hearts are full whenever we see it."
Edward M. Cotter was the head of the firefighters union for 34 years prior to his sudden death, Bowman said.
Buffalo Fire Department Chaplain, Father Paul Seil, has a newly found soft spot for the Cotter as he slept aboard the boat after finding refuge there during the Buffalo blizzard in December. "To me it represents the tradition of the BFD," Seil said before offering a closing prayer following the proclamation.
As part of the ongoing capital campaign, Cobado said the public will be able to help raise funds for the Cotter in a fun way on June 25 from 1pm to 5pm as Cotter fest is held at Buffalo Riverworks.
Another way to celebrate and support the Edward M. Cotter is to hoist a pint of Cotter Red, a specially brewed beer on tap at Gene McCarthy's in the Old First Ward with proceeds going toward the capital fund.
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