Opinion
April 24, 1992
Present — Boomer, J.P., Pine, Balio, Lawton and Davis, JJ.
Motion by Seimax Gas Corporation et al., for clarification and other relief denied; motion by City of Buffalo et al., for clarification and for other relief granted and decision dated January 31, 1992 and remittitur order entered January 31, 1992 [ 179 A.D.2d 1079] are amended to provide that the order appealed from is unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed without costs in accordance with the following Memorandum: The order is modified by granting defendants' motions to the extent of dismissing the causes of action brought by or on behalf of the deceased and injured firefighters, with the exception of the causes of action brought against defendant George D. Wilson, Jr. (also sued as George D. Wilson, Sr.), individually and doing business as Chimera Radiator Company, and doing business as Chimera Hamburg Radiator Manufacturing Company, and doing business as Hamburg Radiator Sales Service Company, George Wilson Son, Inc., Division Enterprises, Inc., Amherst Radiator Co., and LBG Radiator Company, Inc. (the Wilson defendants), pursuant to General Municipal Law § 205-a (see, Austin v City of Buffalo [appeal No. 1], 179 A.D.2d 1075).
The order is further modified by granting defendants' motions to the extent of dismissing the cause of action brought by the City of Buffalo for damages insofar as it seeks recovery for destroyed and damaged fire vehicles and equipment. The damage and destruction to the City of Buffalo's fire vehicles and equipment was a foreseeable risk when the City Fire Department responded to the call for assistance and the rationale underlying the Fireman's Rule is applicable here (see, Black Indus. v Emco Helicopters, 19 Wn. App. 697, 577 P.2d 610). Additionally, the order is modified by dismissing the City's cause of action as against all defendants, except the Wilson defendants, for salary or wages and medical expenses incurred on behalf of the deceased or injured firefighters (see, General Municipal Law § 207-a; City of Utica v Holt, 88 Misc.2d 206, 209-210), and by dismissing the City's cause of action insofar as it relates to the expense incurred in boarding up or demolishing property and removing debris from property other than its own. "[P]ublic expenditures made in the performance of governmental functions are not recoverable" (Koch v Consolidated Edison Co., 62 N.Y.2d 548, 560, rearg denied 63 N.Y.2d 771, cert denied 469 U.S. 1210).