Firefighters

The job of a firefighter is tough enough without the risk of a deadly virus that attacks people without warning. FDNY stations, located in the city with the greatest number of infections during the pandemic, are particularly vulnerable to spread of the disease. Now, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association has published a set of […]

First responders have rightfully earned praise and appreciation for their efforts in behalf of victims of COVID-19. Despite a potentially lethal exposure risk and problems securing ample personal protective equipment, these men and women have been reaching out to assist people afflicted by the coronavirus while nearly everyone else has been told to stay at […]

In the months that New York City has been locked down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have compared their feelings to the shock and sadness experienced after the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001. There are many parallels, including closing of businesses, postponement of sporting events and emergence of a […]

A sharp reduction in New York City fire deaths during 2019 gives everyone who lives, works or vacations in the city cause to thank the firefighters who keep them safe. At the same time, statistics show a spike in medical emergencies generating an FDNY response, demonstrating how the department’s traditional role has changed. In 2019, […]

New York recorded 112 fire-related deaths during 2019, the highest fatality rate among all 50 states, according to a review conducted by the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York and the National Fire Prevention Association. Though deadly fires can have many different causes, blazes associated with heating equipment were found to be the […]

Although nearly two decades have passed and the Ground Zero site has been transformed, names are still being added to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall at the department’s headquarters in Brooklyn. In September, this posthumous recognition was bestowed on 22 firefighters who died of illnesses related to 9/11 exposure. First responders who worked […]

Every FDNY Fire Academy graduation is marked by strong emotions among family members who are justifiably proud of their loved ones who are ready to serve New York City as probationary firefighters. However, the most recent ceremony was extra special because 21 of these “probies” were the children of firefighters and police officers who died […]

New York City’s Emergency Medical Services units handled approximately 1.5 million calls in 2018. That was a new record high, but the professionals who work for that department are still paid significantly less than other first responders. For more than 20 years, EMS has operated within the FDNY, and its significantly smaller workforce responds to […]

When selecting personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters, a department or municipality needs to do more than find gear that satisfies the National Fire Protection Association’s safety standards. A complete risk assessment should be conducted to assure that the equipment isn’t just sufficiently safe but also appropriate for the specific situations faced by the men […]

As a firefighter, you earn the respect of the community you serve every day. People understand how dangerous and stressful it is to deal with raging fires, medical emergencies and other situations that are fraught with serious risks. However, only you and those closest to you can fully appreciate the range of stressors you face […]