Latest

March 1, 2016

Inside Access: Valet Doffing/Decontamination Procedures for Ebola

In the summer of 2014, there wasn’t much information available in the United States regarding the proper doffing and equipment decontamination procedures for handling patients potentially infected with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Subsequent to the cross contamination and exposure of a registered nurse who treated a confirmed EVD patient in Dallas during September of […]

March 1, 2016

Building Blocks for Accomplishing Our Mission

In August 2014, months before FDNY successfully transported its first Ebola patient, it was my responsibility as FDNY’s Chief Medical Officer and Special Advisor to the Fire Commissioner on Health Policy, to provide the Department with advice on what was needed to safely respond to, stabilize and transport a patient with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) […]

February 22, 2016

A Successful 150th Year for FDNY

Having just wrapped up one of the most successful years in our Department’s history (and a milestone year—our 150th anniversary!), we should all be proud of our accomplishments in 2015. From new record high responses, to declining fire deaths, to successful community outreach and public safety education efforts, New York City has never been better […]

December 1, 2015

Tricks of the Trade: The Hydrant Dewatering Device

It is 0300 hours on the coldest winter night you can remember and you are taking up from a multiple alarm. You are a conscientious, professional Firefighter and you have no plans to leave the fire scene until the barrel of the hydrant is pumped out and left in a serviceable condition. The subject covered […]

December 1, 2015

Fire Prevention Matters: Green Energy Part II — Electrochemical Technology

Battery technology initially can be attributed to the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). In the 1800s, he designed an assembly consisting of plates of two different metals, such as zinc and copper, positioned in stacks separated by paper soaked in brine or vinegar. Volta’s battery was capable of producing an electrical shock when its ends […]

December 1, 2015

What the Probie or Junior Firefighter Should Know: Adapter Use at Standpipe Outlets

Use of the NST female to FDNY male adapter Problem: The pressure gauge or 21⁄2-inch hose does not thread onto the standpipe outlet. Reason: The FDNY uses its own thread specification for its hose couplings. Many other fire departments have their own thread specifications. National Standard Thread (NST) is the most common type of fire […]

December 1, 2015

Safety First: Safety at Motor Vehicle Accidents

Size-up starts at the receipt of the alarm, but for this exercise, size-up starts when you examine the accompanying photo below. It is a frozen moment in time and you are the Safety Officer assigned. Your goal is to ensure the safety of all members operating at this incident. Firefighters are performing a size-up that […]

December 1, 2015

Learn from History: The Third Avenue Collapse

On April 4, 1956, a tragic front wall collapse occurred at Bronx Box 44-2904, located at 4085 Third Avenue, between East 174th and 175th Streets. Three members of Engine 48, two members of Ladder 44 and one Chief’s Aide–who was assigned to Assistant Chief Antonio Petronelli–were killed at this incident. In addition to the fatalities, […]

March 1, 2016

Inside Access: Valet Doffing/Decontamination Procedures for Ebola

In the summer of 2014, there wasn’t much information available in the United States regarding the proper doffing and equipment decontamination procedures for handling patients potentially infected with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Subsequent to the cross contamination and exposure of a registered nurse who treated a confirmed EVD patient in Dallas during September of […]

March 1, 2016

Building Blocks for Accomplishing Our Mission

In August 2014, months before FDNY successfully transported its first Ebola patient, it was my responsibility as FDNY’s Chief Medical Officer and Special Advisor to the Fire Commissioner on Health Policy, to provide the Department with advice on what was needed to safely respond to, stabilize and transport a patient with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) […]

February 22, 2016

A Successful 150th Year for FDNY

Having just wrapped up one of the most successful years in our Department’s history (and a milestone year—our 150th anniversary!), we should all be proud of our accomplishments in 2015. From new record high responses, to declining fire deaths, to successful community outreach and public safety education efforts, New York City has never been better […]

December 1, 2015

Tricks of the Trade: The Hydrant Dewatering Device

It is 0300 hours on the coldest winter night you can remember and you are taking up from a multiple alarm. You are a conscientious, professional Firefighter and you have no plans to leave the fire scene until the barrel of the hydrant is pumped out and left in a serviceable condition. The subject covered […]

December 1, 2015

Fire Prevention Matters: Green Energy Part II — Electrochemical Technology

Battery technology initially can be attributed to the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). In the 1800s, he designed an assembly consisting of plates of two different metals, such as zinc and copper, positioned in stacks separated by paper soaked in brine or vinegar. Volta’s battery was capable of producing an electrical shock when its ends […]

December 1, 2015

What the Probie or Junior Firefighter Should Know: Adapter Use at Standpipe Outlets

Use of the NST female to FDNY male adapter Problem: The pressure gauge or 21⁄2-inch hose does not thread onto the standpipe outlet. Reason: The FDNY uses its own thread specification for its hose couplings. Many other fire departments have their own thread specifications. National Standard Thread (NST) is the most common type of fire […]

December 1, 2015

Safety First: Safety at Motor Vehicle Accidents

Size-up starts at the receipt of the alarm, but for this exercise, size-up starts when you examine the accompanying photo below. It is a frozen moment in time and you are the Safety Officer assigned. Your goal is to ensure the safety of all members operating at this incident. Firefighters are performing a size-up that […]

December 1, 2015

Learn from History: The Third Avenue Collapse

On April 4, 1956, a tragic front wall collapse occurred at Bronx Box 44-2904, located at 4085 Third Avenue, between East 174th and 175th Streets. Three members of Engine 48, two members of Ladder 44 and one Chief’s Aide–who was assigned to Assistant Chief Antonio Petronelli–were killed at this incident. In addition to the fatalities, […]