Fire Department of New York

Fire Department of New York
Name	Fire Department of New York
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Established	1865
Commissioner	Laura Kavanagh
Chief of department	John Hodgens
Stations	254
Engines	197
Trucks	143
Ambulances	800+ (FDNY EMS)
Employees	17,000+ uniformed
Website	www.nyc.gov/fdny

Fire Department of New York. The Fire Department of the City of New York is one of the largest and most storied municipal fire departments in the world, providing fire suppression, technical rescue, and emergency medical services to the five boroughs of New York City. Established in its modern form in 1865, it operates under the leadership of a civilian Fire Commissioner and a uniformed Chief of Department. The department is renowned for its rigorous training, extensive fleet, and its pivotal role in responding to major incidents including the September 11 attacks and countless other emergencies across the Metropolitan area.

History

The origins of organized firefighting in the city trace back to the colonial era with the formation of the Volunteer Fire Department in the 18th century, famously involving figures like Jacobus Stoutenburgh. The modern, paid department was created by the New York State Legislature in 1865, consolidating numerous volunteer companies. A pivotal early challenge was the Great Fire of 1835, which demonstrated the need for improved water supply and infrastructure, later addressed with the construction of the Croton Aqueduct. The department has evolved through significant events, including the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, which influenced fire safety laws, and the integration of Emergency Medical Services in 1996, merging the former NYC EMS into its operations.

Organization and operations

The department is divided into nine operational divisions, each commanded by a Deputy Chief, covering the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Specialized commands include FDNY EMS Command, which operates one of the largest pre-hospital care systems globally, and units like the Hazardous Materials Company and the Special Operations Command. The latter encompasses elite units such as Rescue 1 and the Squads, which handle complex technical rescues. Operations are coordinated from the FDNY Headquarters at 9 MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn, with dispatch managed through the Communications Division.

Notable incidents and responses

The department is defined by its response to catastrophic events, most notably the September 11 attacks in 2001, where 343 members perished at the World Trade Center site. Other historic responses include the General Slocum disaster in 1904, the Black Saturday fire in 1962, and the Happy Land fire in 1990. More recent major operations involved the ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in 2009 and the Manhattan steam explosion in 2018. The department also plays a critical role during citywide emergencies like Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

Fleet and equipment

The fleet includes over 197 Engine Companies and 143 Ladder Companies, alongside specialized units. The marine division operates nine fireboats, including the *John J. Harvey* and the *Three Forty Three*, from piers like Marine 9 at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The department utilizes advanced apparatus such as Squad trucks equipped for collapse rescue and the Hazmat trucks stationed at Fort Totten. Aerial apparatus includes Tower Ladder trucks and the Snorkel unit, while the FDNY Fleet Services division maintains all vehicles.

Training and facilities

All probationary firefighters and EMS members train at the FDNY Training Academy on Randalls Island, a facility that includes the "Rock" drill tower and simulated environments. Specialized training occurs at the FDNY Technical Rescue School and the Marine Training Center at Fort Totten. The FDNY Fire Academy also operates the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity in partnership with the University at Albany, SUNY. High-rise firefighting drills are conducted in collaboration with buildings like the One World Trade Center.

Rank structure and personnel

The uniformed rank structure ascends from Firefighter to Chief of Department, with officers including Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Chief. The Fire Commissioner is a civilian appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Notable leaders have included Commissioners Robert Lowery and Nicholas Scoppetta, and Chiefs Peter J. Ganci Jr. and Edward F. Croker. The department employs over 17,000 uniformed personnel, including members of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Category:Fire departments in New York City Category:1865 establishments in New York (state)