New York City Fire Department (FDNY)

The COVID-19 vaccine is here. It’s SAFE. It’s EFFECTIVE. It’s FREE.... It will be for ALL New Yorkers. The mission has begun, and we’re already vaccinating health care workers at TWICE the rate of the rest of the country. Let’s do this, #NYC.

FDNY members operated on scene of a CO incident this morning in Manhattan. The Department was called by an individual after their CO detector went off. While members conducted their investigation, their meters read 450 parts per million (PPM). FDNY members began evacuating the building. Five individuals were transported to a local hospital. Four with non-life-threatening injuries and one in serious condition. Working smoke/CO alarms save lives by quickly giving you and your loved ones an early warning signal that something is wrong. Be #FDNYSmart - have a working smoke/CO alarm on every level of your home, including basements and where you sleep. Learn more at fdnysmart.org

#ThrowbackThursday to the infamous and deadly 1876 Brooklyn Theater fire, an incident that sent shockwaves around the world. Learn more in Episode 7 of our Thro...wback #FDNY Podcast available NOW on Apple, Spotify, and Google Play. Also, sign up for the Museum’s companion Throwback FDNY newsletter at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny See more

Today’s FDNY Throwback Thursday photo is from this day in 1973 a 4-alarm fire in Manhattan. See more photos at bit.ly/2JUZrIY Learn more about FDNY history with the New York City Fire Museum Throwback FDNY Podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play. Sign up for the Museum's companion Throwback FDNY newsletter, at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny

It is safe to donate blood, and we encourage healthy individuals to donate so that blood is available for those patients who need it. Our blood collection sites... are disinfected frequently, and we are taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19 as per CDC recommendations. We screen our donors for infectious disease risks and let donors know in advance that they should not come to the blood collection site to donate if they have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19. Learn more about donating at this time: smarturl.it/NYBC_COVIDFB See more

FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro today announced the city had 63 civilian fire deaths in 2020, 5% fewer deaths than in 2019, when 66 people lost their lives in fires. This marks the fifteenth consecutive year there have been fewer than 100 fire-related deaths, continuing an unprecedented period in New York City history. 2020 was a year unlike any other but New Yorkers know that no matter what’s thrown at them, New York’s Bravest will answer the call and keep them sa...fe, said Mayor Bill de Blasio. We should all be proud of this achievement, and I’ll stand with FDNY to help make even more strides on fire safety in 2021. While 2020 was filled with tremendous pain for our Department, with 12 of our members lost to COVID-19, this year also demonstrated once more the unwavering bravery and tremendous resilience of the FDNY, said Commissioner Nigro. Our EMTs and Paramedics faced the busiest period in EMS history during the height of the pandemic, responding day and night to thousands upon thousands of calls for help, with the utmost professionalism and care for their patients. Our Firefighters raced into burning buildings as they have for 155 years and continued to reduce the number of lives lost to fire. The life-saving efforts of all our members during this horrific year especially as so many of our members themselves battled COVID-19 are truly remarkable. The 63 fire deaths in 2020 represents a 5% decline from 2019, when there were 66 deaths, and continues a trend over the last 15 years with fewer than 100 deaths annually in the city. The deadliest year in New York City for fires was 1970, when 310 people died in fires. The top four causes of fire deaths in New York City in 2020 were electrical, smoking, incendiary, and cooking. FDNY urges New Yorkers to be #FDNYSmart help prevent fires by following safety tips at fdnysmart.org

Our units started immediately evacuating the mall area and the multiple dwelling. We finished securing the area with NYPD and awaited the arrival of the bomb squad, says FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Fred Schaaf, Queens Borough Commander, from the Queens mall, 56th Avenue and Queens Boulevard where a suspicious vehicle with a possible explosive device was parked. FDNY Lieutenant Stephen Rhine, Engine 287, who was first on the scene says, We met with a building representative and an NYPD Police Officer who provided us with a description of the device they had encountered. Based on the information we had on hand at that time, we began a prompt but safe and orderly evacuation of the mall and the neighboring residential buildings. NYPD Bomb Squad determined this was a hoax device and the scene was rendered safe.

FDNY EMTs and Paramedics respond to 1.5 million calls each year. These men and women are highly trained and prepared to save your life at a moment’s notice. FDNY EMS helps protect our city by providing the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care. They face many dangers while on duty, including assault, and are protected by New York State Law. Assaulting an FDNY EMT or Paramedic is a felony punishable by 7 years in prison. Remember, EMTs and Paramedics are always here to help. (Video produced in 2019)

Have a safe and healthy Chanukah by following #FDNYSmart tips at on.nyc.gov/2ByStSU

Working smoke and CO alarms save lives, and changing your clocks at the end of daylight saving time is a great reminder to also check that your alarms are installed and working properly. Join the FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit at events in all five boroughs from October 26th-31st to learn #FDNYSmart tips to help keep you and your family safe. See flyer for times and locations near you. For online tips, visit fdnysmart.org

Happy New Year from the FDNY! As we ring in the New Year, we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone the importance of practicing fire safety. Join us as we count off the top seven fire safety tips to ensure you and your family stay safe. Resolve to be #FDNYSmart! See more safety tips at fdnysmart.org

Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives, and changing your clocks at the end of daylight saving time this Sunday is a great reminder to also check that your alarms will give you an early warning signal that something is wrong. Join Captain Michael Kozo from the FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit and Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Eric Adams, Staten Island USA Borough President James Oddo, and Queens Borough President Sharon Lee as they teach New Yorkers how to ensure that your alarms are installed and working properly. See more #FDNYSmart tips to help keep you and your family safe at fdnysmart.org/connect

On Friday, May 29, 2020 at approximately 9:00pm, at the corner of South Portland Avenue and Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn, three individuals used various incendiary devices to cause a parked and unoccupied marked NYPD vehicle to become engulfed in flames and ultimately destroyed. The suspects fled in an unknown direction. No injuries occurred as a result of this incident. Matthew Piscitillo was arrested in connection to the criminal mischief incident that occurred within the conf...ines of the NYPD 88th Precinct. FDNY Fire Marshals investigated the cause of the fire while utilizing FDNY K-9, Bucca, who serves as a member of the FDNY Bureau of Fire Investigations. This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with any information regarding the two remaining individuals in connection with this incident is being asked to call the Bureau of Fire Investigation at (718) 722-3600.

Planning your Halloween costume? Think about a costume that includes a face covering be a doctor, nurse, cowboy, masked bandit or a 2020 New Yorker! Or buy or... make a face covering with a mustache, mouth or other image on it that’s part of your costume. More tips for celebrating Halloween safely: https://on.nyc.gov/3jl1th3

#ThrowbackThursday to #FDNY operations at the 1949 chemical fire inside the Holland Tunnel, its entrance is right around the corner from #Engine30 (the current ...home of the New York City Fire Museum). Learn more in Episode 6 of our Throwback FDNY Podcast available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play. And sign up for our companion Throwback newsletter at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny See more

After September 11th and the catastrophic losses our Department suffered, many wondered if there would be difficulty finding people willing to do the dangerous work required to save lives in our city. That same question was asked after this past March and April when COVID-19 ravaged our city and placed the men and women of our Department, in particular, our EMTs and Paramedics, on the frontline of this deadly pandemic. Nineteen years ago, people stepped up and joined this De...partment because they had a passion and drive to serve others and to protect this city. And now, looking out at this group, I see brave young men and women with that same passion and drive to serve, to protect others, to respond to help those in need, and to save lives in New York. You witnessed the extraordinary work of our EMTs throughout this pandemic, responding to a record number of medical emergencies while battling an invisible enemy, and you stepped up to join them, said Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to today’s graduating FDNY Emergency Medical Technicians. Due to COVID-19, today’s socially-distanced ceremony was held without family and friends in attendance. Chief of EMS Operations Lillian Bonsignore said, Today we have 153 new Emergency Medical Technicians graduating in our ranks. It really takes your breath away to look at so many men and women who are dedicating their lives to this profession. You are at the beginning of a story that will be told for years to come. You now join the ranks of the most extraordinary and dedicated first responders I have ever known, and you are joining during a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic. I’ve loved this job for nearly three decades, and each day, I get to witness and confirm my love for what each of our EMS members do for this city. We are people of compassion, we are people of commitment, and we are people of service. Today, you are all committing yourselves to saving lives, caring for others, and providing the highest quality of pre-hospital emergency medical care to millions of New Yorkers and visitors. View the full ceremony at https://on.nyc.gov/3m9s6r0 See more

Today’s FDNY Throwback Thursday photo is from this day in 1963 a 2-alarm fire at Ditmas Ave and Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. See more photos at bit.ly/3n1bvq5 Learn more about FDNY history with the New York City Fire Museum Throwback FDNY Podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play. Sign up for the Museum's companion Throwback FDNY newsletter, at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny

Happy Chanukah from FDNY! Be #FDNYSmart when you celebrate with these candle safety tips. See more at fdnysmart.org

Join us for the FDNY Emergency Medical Technician graduation ceremony.

I was in the United States Marine Corps from 2010-2017 and it was an experience I will never forget. Following directions and orders comes naturally to me, and that helped during our training at the EMS Academy. When I was deployed to Afghanistan, I had to rely on my training to push through, and that is also what I will do once we begin working on the streets during this pandemic. The Academy gave us the tools to do this job. I want to help people and this is the way that I can do that, says FDNY Probationary EMT and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Adam Phumalee, who graduates today from the FDNY EMS Academy. Due to COVID-19, the socially-distanced graduation ceremony will be held without family and friends in attendance. Watch the ceremony live here on Facebook at 10 am EST today, Friday, October 23rd.

I remember watching all the first responders go to work during the attacks on September 11th. I was only eight years old, but ever since that day I knew I wanted to be just like them. Graduating during a pandemic feels very surreal, but we are all prepared to help out New Yorkers that need us. The camaraderie during our training was unmatched. Our instructors are the best in the world. This was the best training I could have ever gotten, and it’s a privilege to work here, says FDNY Probationary EMT Michael Brockett, who graduates today from the FDNY EMS Academy as the Bravo Company Academic Achiever. Due to COVID-19, the socially-distanced graduation ceremony will be held without family and friends in attendance. Watch the ceremony live here on Facebook at 10 am EST today, Friday, October 23rd.

Graduating during a pandemic is definitely a different experience, but I feel prepared to go out and make a difference. Our training has helped us feel prepared and I am eager to contribute. I want to help people and I know this is a great opportunity to help this city, says FDNY Probationary EMT Deonte Moore, who graduates today from the FDNY EMS Academy as the Alpha Company Academic Achiever. Due to COVID-19, the socially-distanced graduation ceremony will be held without family and friends in attendance. Watch the ceremony live here on Facebook at 10 am EST today, Friday, October 23rd.

From now through January 22, 2021, FDNY firehouses and EMS stations across the city will serve as drop-off locations for non-perishable food items as part of the City Harvest Daily News Food Drive. This year, it's never been more important to come together to help feed our neighbors in need, as families across the five boroughs continue to contend with the devastating economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more at cityharvest.org/dailynews #WeAreCityHarvest

#ThrowbackThursday to the 1965 debut of the #FDNY Superpumper system. The name itself conveys the fact that it was something beyond the ordinary and it was. Le...arn more in Episode 4 of our Throwback FDNY Podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play. Signup for our companion Throwback FDNY newsletter at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny See more

Celebrating Halloween this year? Be sure to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19: Do not go to parties or gather in large groups Celebrate outdoors... Wear a face covering over any costume mask Celebrate at home by carving pumpkins, watching scary movies or with a virtual party Learn more about celebrating Halloween safely: https://on.nyc.gov/3jl1th3

Today’s FDNY Throwback Thursday photo is from October 21, 1959 FDNY mechanics at the Department's shops. See more photos at https://on.nyc.gov/34eTkqa Learn more about FDNY history with the New York City Fire Museum Throwback FDNY Podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play. Sign up for the Museum's companion Throwback FDNY newsletter at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny

The first units arrived in three minutes. We had a serious fire in a bicycle repair shop. There are 168 Firefighters on scene, several EMS members, and 39 fire units. Fire marshals are on scene investigating the cause for the fire. There was smoke in some apartment houses next door, no fire extended to those buildings at all, says FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Thomas Richardson from the scene of a 4-alarm fire yesterday evening at 4055 White Plains Rd. in the Bronx. There were four non-life-threatening injuries to Firefighters reported. The fire has been placed under control.

FDNY members from Engine 246, Ladder 169, and Rescue 5 performed a confined space rescue earlier this afternoon when a worker fell approximately 12-15 feet below ground in Brooklyn. The individual was placed on a backboard and secured to a Stokes basket using a diamond lash technique. Members from Ladder 169 extended the ladder to establish a high point, using ropes to remove the patient. FDNY EMS members from Station 43 took over patient care, transporting the patient to a local hospital in serious, but stable, condition.

FDNY Operation BioPOD, conducted by the FDNY Bureau of Health Services (BHS) in conjunction with the Bureau of Operations, is currently underway at fire and EMS stations in all five boroughs. The exercise is part of the City’s overall emergency response plan and combines the efforts of BHS, Fire Operations, EMS Operations, EMS Dispatch, Fire Dispatch and the Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. During Operation BioPOD, FDNY personnel are given the option to receive... the flu vaccine. FDNY Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Prezant, says, Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during this 2020 - 2021 season. It’s critical to protect yourself and the people around you from the flu, and to help reduce the strain on our healthcare systems that are responding to this COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts point out that it is possible to be infected with both COVID-19 and the flu, either simultaneously or sequentially in which case it could lead to catastrophic, potentially lethal, illness and if infected, you could bring this home to your family with similar, terrible consequences. The best protection against this is the flu vaccine and mask wearing for you and for your family. Since 2003, FDNY Operation BioPOD has been practiced every year to prepare for the event of a large-scale biologic exposure, in which case the Bureau of Health Services would need to inoculate or medicate our workforce for protection. This year is a culmination of that training and of our preparedness. New Yorkers - learn more about the flu vaccine, and find a NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene flu vaccination event near you, by visiting nyc.gov/flu