DECEMBER 2005

VIEW ROM Metro Tech F P OINT 9 T HE N EWSLETTER OF THE NYC FIRE D EPARTMENT Winter Season Means Increased Fire Hazards Winter months remind New Yorkers to prevent fires and save lives

inter is the busiest time of year for 50 victims, said to Dr. Roger Yurt, Director Wthe FDNY. of the Burn Center. And the Department wants that to Set in the backdrop of the Fire Zone’s change. ‘burnt apartment,’ Commissioner Scoppet- On November 30, Department officials ta warned New Yorkers to beware of com- and members of the Hearst Burn Center at mon winter fire hazards. Frayed extension New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill cords, space heaters, unattended candles Cornell Medical Center gathered at the and using stoves to heat the home account FDNY Fire Zone in Rockefeller Center to for many of the City’s most disastrous res- urge New Yorkers to avoid fire hazards this idential fires in the winter months. This winter. While citywide fire deaths are at year alone, children playing with matches historic lows, one fire-related death is one or lighters have sparked 64 fires; many of too many, said Fire Commissioner those have been deadly, he said. Nicholas Scoppetta. Following the tragic deaths of three “The recent drop in fire fatalities is a children and one adult in Queens on credit to the excellent work that the mem- December 6, after a child played with a bers of the Department do each day,” said butane lighter and ignited a plastic car Commissioner Scoppetta and Chief Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. “Our firefighters under a bunk bed, Commissioner Scoppet- Marshal Louis Garcia discuss the fatal are performing more rescues than ever ta during a separate press conference stern- Queens fire where a butane lighter was before, and our paramedics and EMTs are ly warned parents that “you might as well used by an 8-year-old child. providing the best pre-hospital care.” leave a loaded gun around for a child to According to Bureau of Fire Investiga- play with as leave [a butane lighter] in tion statistics, each year from November to reach of a child.” Top Holiday and Winter February, fire fatalities double, to an aver- He added that 33 percent of these fires Fire Safety Tips age of 11 per month, and fire-related occurred in homes with missing or mal- • If you have a real tree, keep it watered injuries can rise by more than 30 percent. functioning smoke detectors. and away from heat sources, sparks or The Burn Center also records a patient “Most of these fires are preventable,” flames. increase of more than 20 percent during he said. “A few minutes of caution will lit- • Use only UL approved lights and those months, which is equal to about 40 to erally save lives this winter.” wiring and do not overload connections. Fire officials also noted that the holiday • Never leave lit candles unattended. season brings its own set of fire hazards, • Never attempt to heat your home with IN THIS ISSUE such as dried out Christmas trees and ille- the oven (call 311 to report no heat). ❏ Commissioner’s gal holiday lights. • Use only UL approved space heaters Message Page 2 “Christmas trees can explode into and keep them away from furniture, bed- flames in a matter of seconds,” said Chief ding, curtains and other flammable materi- ❏ FDNY News Pages 3-5; Fire Marshal Louis Garcia. Trees must be als. Pages 10-11 watered regularly and kept away from heat • Do not smoke in bed. Make sure all sources, sparks and flames, said Garcia. cigarette butts are extinguished before dis- ❏ Ropes Pictorial Page 6-7 carding. He also urged individuals to buy only • Make sure you always have a proper- ❏ In the Borough Page 8-9 UL (Underwriters Laboratory) rated holi- ly working smoke detector and carbon day lights. “Don’t go cheap on your life,” ❏ monoxide detector on every level of your 2005 Admin Awards Page 12 he said. home.

FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005

Addressing Concerns Regarding Seagrave

ver the past year, the Fire Department has identi- whether the Department should move fied several issues with our manufacturer of fire forward with its order of an additional Oapparatus, Seagrave. Beginning in July, the 12 new tower ladders. With the changes Department held a series of meetings with Seagrave’s in Seagrave management and the addi- Commissioner’s executive management to discuss problems regarding tion of personnel, the recommendation Message delayed delivery of new apparatus and overdue mainte- of the review was to move forward with nance to the Department’s existing fleet. We worked vig- the order. orously to clearly outline our expectations and reinforced Seagrave was also recently acquired by Ballamore to the manufacturer that without improvements in their Capital Management (an investment advisor with assets service, the contractual relationship between the FDNY totaling more than $4 billion). Since this acquisition, Bal- and Seagrave would not continue. lamore has invested $10 million to improve Seagrave’s At any given time, approximately 10 percent of our operations including hiring of new mechanics and addi- fleet is offline for repairs and preventative maintenance. tional technical staff for their New Jersey location. And, although the number of offline apparatus never By our last meeting on November 22, the Department exceeded the normal level, the Department took a proac- determined that Seagrave had taken steps to correct the tive stance in engaging Seagrave to ensure that the num- problems we identified. In doing so, the number of out-of- ber of offline apparatus did not dramatically increase. service fire apparatus has been reduced from 13 to five. Currently, Seagrave supplies approximately 98 percent of Throughout the process, Seagrave has been eager to the Department’s fire apparatus. In recent months, it had work closely with us to ensure that issues are identified fallen behind in providing repairs covered under the five- and resolved in a timely manner. The meetings have been year warranty and as required under our contract. Sea- encouraging and I am satisfied with the progress that has grave also failed to deliver on-time 12 new tower ladder been made. trucks the Department ordered more than a year ago. * * * Chief of Department Peter Hayden, Deputy Commis- I would like to thank the men and women of the FDNY sioner of Technology and Support Services Milton Fis- for the tremendous work they do each day. This year has chberger, Assistant Commissioner of Fleet and Technical been a success because of our firefighters, fire officers, Services James Basile and representatives from the UFA EMTs, paramedics, fire marshals and civilian staff. I and UFOA participated in the meetings with Seagrave thank you for your dedication and look forward to work- leadership. The goal from the outset was to ensure that the ing with you in the coming years. Department had the ability to provide the best, most reli- As 2005 comes to a close, we also reflect upon the able apparatus and support for our members. courage and sacrifice of Lieutenants Curtis Meyran and Following these meetings, Seagrave immediately John Bellew and Firefighter Richard Sclafani. Celebrate changed its management structure and added technical their lives and continue to keep these firefighters’ families staff to meet our demands. In addition, the manufacturer in your thoughts and prayers this season. was “put on notice” regarding all of these issues. We were I wish you and your family a happy, healthy holiday uncompromising in our demands and expectations. Sea- and best wishes in 2006. grave addressed each of our concerns and provided us with a timeline for the repair and return of our outstand- ing vehicles. In October, the Department sponsored a 30-day inde- pendent review of Seagrave’s operations with the help of Exponent, a national consulting company. The purpose of this third-party review was to have an independent organ- ization examine Seagrave’s operations and determine

2 Commissioner’s Message ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 Gifts of the Season FDNY helps kick off annual City Harvest Food Drive

t’s not often the FDNY measures suc- “The ‘Daily News Readers Icess in cans of chicken soup. Care to Feed the Hungry’ food But on November 16, the Department drive has become a regular announced that it once again is partnering part of the Fire Department’s with City Harvest and the Daily News to holiday season,” Commis- collect non-perishable food items for the sioner Scoppetta said. “With 22nd annual ‘Readers Care to Feed the everyone’s help, we can make Hungry of New York’ food drive at this year’s drive even more Engine 7/Ladder 1. successful.” “Participation in the drive is simple,” The food collected is dis- Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta tributed to more than 800 said. “There are collection points all over community food programs the City. The donated cans of food will throughout the five boroughs, go directly towards feeding hungry New including soup kitchens and Yorkers.” emergency food pantries. The food drive has become the largest City Harvest’s CEO, Sally in New York City, bringing in more than Hernandez Pinero, said she is 200 tons of food last year alone, translat- thrilled and grateful that New ing to more than 320,000 meals served. Yorkers are so generous every And this year, organizers said they want year. And John Campi, Daily to do even better. News’ Vice President of Pro- “Let’s give to the people who really motion and Community Affairs, added, “without the need it,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. Commissioner Scoppetta joins Mayor Bloomberg and “To people who can’t afford to feed them- support of the FDNY, it would be impossible to do this drive other City officials in launching the City Harvest food selves and their families.” collection program sponsored by the Daily News. The Department has partnered with the on this scale.” City Harvest and the Daily News on this Donations are being col- effort since its inception in the early lected at City firehouses, don’t need your prehistoric, dented cans; 1980’s. More recently, other agencies police precincts, in the Daily News’ lobby just the same food that you would feed have also agreed to support the cause, and at Modell’s Sporting Goods stores. your family during the holidays. You’ll be including the New York City Police The Drive continues through January 6. contributing to the goodwill of so many Department, Modell’s Sporting Goods, 77 And as WABC Radio personality and who can’t care for themselves.” WABC and local schools. Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa said, “We Bronx EMS members paying tribute to EMT Felix Hernandez by helping others By EMS Captain Ann Fitton gle adults with special In honor of Felix’s com- he EMTs and Paramedics of EMS needs reside. mitment to help the home- Station 17 on Ogden Avenue in the The holidays are a par- less of the Highbridge com- TBronx like to refer to themselves as ticularly lonely and sad munity, Station 17 is also “the little house with a big heart.” time for this group as they collecting warm socks, hats But, their big heart was recently bro- are generally overlooked and small toiletry items for ken by the death of EMT Felix Hernan- by seasonal charities. A distribution to the homeless dez, Jr. in late October. EMT Hernandez holiday party was held on in the area. These items was an eight-year veteran of the Depart- December 18 at the facili- will be distributed with the ment and a resident of Brooklyn. ty. assistance of the homeless In honor of Felix’s enduring legacy of “No matter how down advocacy group at Sienna compassion and caring, and to pay tribute you were, when Felix was House on Ogden Avenue. to his life of service in the Highbridge around, you couldn’t help EMT Felix Hernandez, Jr. Anyone interested in community, the members of Station 17 but smile,” said Lt. Regina assisting in these ventures have developed a partnership with the Pellegrino of Station 17. “This effort is a or making a donation should contact Sta- Ogden Avenue Residence, where 40 sin- true reflection of his life of service.” tion 17 at 718-588-5555.

FDNYNEWS 3 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 Taking Fire Safety to the Streets Mobile fire safety house brings message home

moke filled the Wilson family ence that we home as dozens of school kids from hope really SP.S. 72 watched, wide-eyed. sends home the The children pointed and whispered as message of fire the family of four used portable escape safety,” said ladders to evacuate their Brooklyn resi- Chief of Opera- dence, and dialed 911. tions Salvatore Then, when a television reporter Cassano. arrived and asked Mr. Wilson how he and After the his family survived such a terrible fire, the presentation, man replied, “Because we take fire safety children were very seriously.” also invited to Their survival isn’t what makes this crawl through story special – it’s the fact that their the smoke filled “home” is on wheels and one side of their hallway of the house is made of Plexiglass. Experience to Call it a birds-eye view into home fire practice escap- safety. ing a fire. Retired Fire Lieutenant Joe Torrillo explains the Mobile Fire Safety On November 10, the FDNY and the “This reaf- Experience to children from P.S. 72 in Brooklyn. Fire Safety Education Fund unveiled the firms our com- new Mobile Fire Safety Experience at mitment to pre- FDNY Headquarters. The educational venting fires and helping people escape New Yorkers throughout the five bor- vehicle is painted fire engine red, with a fires,” said retired-Fire Lieutenant Joe oughs. complete apartment built as a stage Torrillo, who helped develop the project. Brooklyn Borough President Marty inside. Here, actors and firefighters per- “We’re trying to protect the people and Markowitz said he was thrilled to hear form in a skit that demonstrates how the property of New York City.” that the first vehicle is to be used primari- “Wilson family” survives a fire in their Funded in part by $75,000 from First ly in his borough, the City’s largest. home. Alert, this is the first of three Mobile Fire “It proves that in a borough like It’s another important tool that the Safety Experience vehicles that will be Brooklyn, we need to stick together to FDNY Fire Zone will use to educate New launched in the coming months. Each will save lives,” he said. “Brooklyn is red hot, Yorkers about fire safety. offer live, traveling fire safety exhibits but having a plan for fire safety keeps us “This is a valuable educational experi- that will bring the fire safety message to so cool.”

From Classroom to Real World: t’s always good to be prepared for the mentation of the project. “It will create a the division to listing key vendors that pro- Iunexpected. framework that outlines everyone’s roles vide services to the unit. And a new Continuity of Operations and responsibilities, ultimately helping us Approximately 40 questionnaires have Plan (COOP) will allow the Fire Depart- make better decisions.” already been collected. The information is ment to be ready and responsive in the Deputy Assistant Chief of Operations now being collated to create a comprehen- event of a catastrophic emergency. Planning Joseph Pfeifer added that it will sive picture of the functions of each unit as Developed as a project of the West also “provide a big-picture of who does well as the overall continuity needs. Point Counterterrorism Leadership Pro- what and how it all fits together, which will “We want to establish a clear chain of gram in the spring of 2004, the COOP is a be a valuable educational tool for everyone operation that will address the safety and document that will provide procedures for who plays a role in the Department’s welfare of all our employees,” said Chief reestablishing essential administrative, administration.” Stone. communication and support services, In late August 2005, questionnaires At West Point, Division Chief Richard should primary facilities become disabled. were sent to all bureaus, divisions and Tobin supervised the project’s team that “[The Plan] will outline how we func- units, asking for detailed information included Battalion Chief Robert Boyce, tion in the face of adversity,” said EMS about how each operates. The surveys Battalion Chief Raymond Goldbach, Cap- Division Chief Mark Stone, who has requested information about everything tain James Yakimovich and Division Chief worked on the development and imple- from the primary functions and services of Stone. The team now implementing the

4 FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005

High Tech Arrests BFI finds success with Auto Fraud Squad

ire Marshals Larry Rottkamp and The Bureau of Fire Mike Bosco started investigating a Investigation Auto Fburned out vehicle on Staten Island Fraud Squad is on tar- even before they located it. get make more vehi- They examined the neighborhood and cle-related arrests this diligently read the details sent to them by year than ever in the fire officer who helped extinguish the FDNY history. As of blaze the night before. early December, the Once they located the car, they took a Squad made more ‘physical,’ circling it, hunched over in a rit- than 100 arrests for ual familiar to all fire marshals. Feverishly arson, insurance fraud, jotting notes, they recognize all the items fraudulent vehicle that remained in the charred vehicle – the plaques and other stereo, hubcaps and airbags. And due to the related offenses, after The Bureau of Fire Investigation Auto Fraud Squad has made scope of damage, they determine the fire investigating more more vehicle-related arrests this year than ever in FDNY histo- began with an accelerant on the front pas- than 900 suspicious ry. The seven-member team includes (L to R) Supervising Fire senger seat. fires. Marshal Richard Barry, FM Frank Quiles, FM Mike Bosco and Then the hunt begins. “We’re doing very FM Larry Rottkamp. They search for security cameras in the well this year,” said area, the car’s identification number and Assistant Chief Fire motive for the fire are just the beginning. eyewitnesses. Marshal Richard McCahey. “This has been They must then speak with the Department After talking for a few minutes with a an extremely successful initiative for the of Sanitation, insurance companies and, man who works nearby, it’s determined that Department.” eventually, question suspects. The process the vehicle most likely does not belong to What makes these numbers even more takes weeks, or even months, to complete. anyone living in the neighborhood and that staggering is that the unit is comprised of And their days can be filled with anywhere this is possibly a case of insurance fraud. only six fire marshals and one supervisor. from three to 12 physical inspections of For years, people living in the vicinity of The team travels throughout the five vehicles located across the five boroughs. New York City found it easy to drive their boroughs, investigating incendiary vehicle “There’s a story behind every car fire,” car to any of the five boroughs, set it on fire fires called in by fire officers who deemed said Fire Marshal Bosco. “And just when and collect on the insurance payout. It was them suspicious, as well as other vehicle- you think you’ve heard it all, you find a quick way to make a buck, with little risk related offenses. another one.” of getting caught. Yet for Fire Marshals Rottkamp and But times have changed. Bosco, doing a physical and determining a (Continued on page 11)

FDNY West Point Counterterrorism students put continuity planning into practice COOP is led by Division Chiefs James bureaus/units that have existing gaps,” said ture is also a priority, said Chief Weinlein. Leonard and Stone, and also includes Chief Pfeiffer. “When [the students] entered the pro- Associate Commissioner Caroline Kretz This is only one of a handful of West gram, they never imagined that they’d pro- and Project Coordinator Keeley Point projects that have been implement- duce something as significant as this,” Townsend. ed. The program, completely funded by Chief Weinlein said. “This work has The team hopes to finalize the plan and the Department of Homeland Security, brought people from all areas together, have it available to present to the Fire began in January 2004. helping increase cooperation and team- Commissioner in the next few months. Assistant Chief of Operations Michael work at all levels of the Department.” FDNY Headquarters will then have one of Weinlein described COOP as well as many its first guides detailing how each unit in of the other projects developed by students the Department should operate if cata- of the West Point program to be of the strophic emergency strikes 9 Metrotech. highest caliber. He added that many of If you have an idea for a West “By sharing pieces of this information these reports eventually would be used as Point project, please contact Captain throughout the Department, the COOP response plans or recommendations for Robert Higgins at team will be able to identify ‘best prac- equipment purchases. [email protected]. The next tices’ in bureau/unit preparedness, which While in general the class projects West Point class will meet in can serve as models for creating or focus mainly on operational preparedness, improving preparedness plans in those strengthening the management infrastruc- January 2006.

FDNYNEWS 5 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 NEW PERSONAL SAFETY

Chief of Training Tom Galvin and project leaders (L to R) Captain Thomas Dolan, Lieutenant Tim Kelly and Captain Michael Hayes explain the components of the Per- sonal Safety System.

All firefighters and fire officers will receive a Per- sonal Safety System that conveniently attaches to each member’s bunker pants. By July 2006, the Department expects all members will be trained and equipped with the PSS.

Firefighters and fire officers from the 6th and 7th Divisions and SOC partici- pate in classroom instruction on the components of the Personal Safety Sys- tem and its proper use.

6 FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 SYSTEM BEGINS DEPLOYMENT

After the classroom instruction, members gear-up to participate in hands-on instruction at the Academy’s Fieldhouse. This lieutenant from Ladder 34 inspects his system before exiting.

Under close supervision of instructors, firefighters learn how to quickly anchor the system to make a fast escape. Members will be required to slide from both lower and higher elevations during the eight-hour training.

A firefighter begins his descent with the PSS. The new system allows the firefighter to exit a window head first using the window frame to steady his exit. This technique is modeled after one commonly used in the military.

After exiting the window, the firefighter is able to shift his body upright by swinging his leg around the win- dow frame. A self-locking descender controls his speed down the rope to safety.

FDNYNEWS 7 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 In the Borough: Remembering His Sacrifice Firefighter Christian Engeldrum is honored at plaque dedication

n December 2, hundreds of fire- fighters, police officers and mili- Otary personnel came together to once again salute a true American hero. A plaque was dedicated at Engine 66/Ladder 61 in the Bronx honoring Fire- fighter Christian Engeldrum who was tragically killed outside Baghdad, Iraq on November 29, 2004. “During the three-and-a-half years that he worked at Ladder 61, serving the bor- ough he grew up in, he proved himself a strong, talented, gutsy firefighter,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “He was both a steady presence in the firehouse and a dependable force on the fire ground, the kind of guy you wanted by your side when the chips were down.” Behind the podium, Firefighter Engel- drum’s bunker coat hung in front of an American flag and the sign that was raised in front of the firehouse when Fire- fighter Engeldrum left for Iraq, reading: “We Support our Troops, Firefighter Engeldrum, L61, Now Serving.” “Firefighter Engeldrum believed that New York City and the United States of America were worth serving, worth sacri- ficing for and ultimately worth dying for,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scop- petta. The apparatus floor was packed with well-wishers who came to support Fire- (Top) Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Commissioner Scoppetta as well as (L to R) Fire- fighter Engeldrum’s wife, Sharon; sons fighter Christian Engeldrum's son, Sean; wife, Sharon; infant daughter, Kristian; and Sean, 19, and Royce, 17; and six month- son, Royce unveil the fallen Firefighter's plaque at Ladder 61. old daughter, Kristian, who was named in (Bottom) Firefighters, members of the New York National Guard and friends join Mayor his honor. Bloomberg and Commissioner Scoppetta in paying tribute to the memory of Firefighter Many in attendance grew emotional Engeldrum outside Ladder 61 in the Bronx. when remembering their friend and co- Firefighter Engeldrum spent several forgotten.” worker. years as a police officer before joining the And as the Engeldrum family stood to “It’s a blessing in my life to have got- FDNY in 1999. He was a sergeant for the unveil the plaque, Chief of Department ten to know Christian,” said Lt. Michael New York National Guard’s Fighting Peter Hayden added, “We will always Bonner of Ladder 61. 69th. He was killed when a roadside remember him and the sacrifice he made. Firefighter Mark Klingner of Ladder bomb exploded near his Humvee. This plaque will serve as a reminder to 61 added that he and Firefighter Engel- “He was a serious guy that never took everyone who walks through this fire- drum were the “jokesters” of the fire- himself too seriously,” said Army Nation- house, that there was a brave man who house and described the lost firefighter as al Guard Captain Michael Drew. “He worked here, a man who made a huge sac- “one of my best friends, he was phenom- leaves behind a legacy of courage, com- rifice.” enal.” mitment and sacrifice that will never be

8 FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 The Bronx Lighting Up the Holiday Season Bronx fire companies help NY Botanical Garden kick-off the holiday season

irefighters from Engine Company 43 and Ladder Company 59 helped Fkick-off the holiday season on November 19 when they participated in a lighting ceremony to officially open the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. “The Garden is really beautiful and the train display just knocks your socks off,” said Captain Paul Tague of Engine 43. What made the event even more spe- cial for these firefighters and their fami- lies was that the Gardens added a replica of their firehouse to the more than 100 New York landmarks that decorate the show. “It looks just like the firehouse, it was an amazing likeness,” Captain Tague said. “It’s gorgeous.” He added that he and the rest of the This year, a replica of Engine Company 43/Ladder Company 59 was added to the New firehouse was honored to also have Fire- York Botanical Garden's annual Holiday Train Show in the Bronx. The model is made fighter Michael Loughran’s seven chil- entirely out of natural materials. dren with them to enjoy the evening. The ral materials, including tree branches, firefighter from Engine 43 was tragically berries, mushrooms and pinecones, and killed in a motorcycle accident this sum- all the elements are held together with mer. tree sap. “It was so nice to be able to share the The holiday decorations and Holiday day with them,” he said. “It looked like Train Show will be running through Janu- they were really enjoying themselves.” ary 9 at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The New York Botanical Garden For more information visit their website makes the entire train display out of natu- at www.nybg.org.

Firefighters and fire officers from Engine Company 43/Ladder Company 59 were joined Captain Paul Tague from Engine 43 by the children of fallen Firefighter Michael Loughran as they helped light the New York helped kick off the holiday festivities at the Botanical Garden's holiday tree. Garden.

FDNYNEWS 9 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005

Preparing and Protecting the FDNY Third annual BIOPOD drill tests the Department’s response to potential bio-terrorism

(Left) Deputy Assistant Chief of Operations Planning Joseph Pfeifer, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kerry Kelly and Chief of Operations Salvatore Cassano discuss the third annual BIOPOD exercise. The citywide drill mimicked the release of an unnamed biological agent that can be easily passed through human contact. (Right) A firefighter receives the flu vaccine as part of the 2005 BIOPOD exercise.

t’s a scenario every first responder Kerry Kelly. “It helps us make plans for the Members of the New York City Police dreads: a chemical or biological attack future, to ensure our members will be pro- Department, Office of Emergency Manage- Ion the City. tected. We need to take care of our emer- ment, and Department of Health and Men- But for the FDNY, a response plan is in gency responders who are our first line of tal Hygiene also observed at the stationary place to ensure that all members – both fire defense.” distribution point at Fire Department Head- and EMS – have the proper inoculations Four stationary distribution points were quarters, so that they could find ways to and resources to respond to the call for set up and four mobile PODs (points of dis- develop and expand their own agencies’ help. tribution) were deployed throughout the response systems. “This is something we learned after Sep- City’s five boroughs to help the Depart- “Firefighters are always concerned tember 11,” said Chief of Operations Sal- ment plan its response to chemical, biolog- about a biological event,” said Deputy vatore Cassano. “We need to ensure the ical, radiological, nuclear and explosive Assistant Chief of Operations Planning members of the Department who are work- (CBRNE) incidents. Joseph Pfeifer. “This gives firefighters con- ing [at the time of a biological event] would Since the creation of BIOPOD, each fidence that we will protect them in case of be inoculated, so they could continue to year the Department has changed the exer- an attack.” provide their services to the City. We want cise to test a variety of methods, and deter- But the work was not just limited to the to take care of the first responders and their mine the most efficient and effective means distribution of vaccines. Others worked families so we can all continue to do our of response. diligently behind the scenes as well, to job.” In 2003, BIOPOD I was a stationary determine how they could inoculate the On November 10th, the third annual exercise set up at Sea View Hospital, dis- 13,000 other FDNY members who would BIOPOD exercise was held. All on-duty tributing the flu vaccine to all on-duty not have been on-duty at the time of the members working from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 members on Staten Island. However, this biological event. a.m. participated in the citywide exercise exercise was never completed due to the “We’re trying to come up with the most that mimicked the release of an unnamed Staten Island Ferry crash. efficient way to inoculate the rest of the biological agent that had the capability to For BIOPOD II last year, the Depart- Department, so that all members can feel be easily passed through human contact. ment utilized a mobile deployment system safe and continue to take care of the people This year’s exercise was conducted by to distribute simulated medication across of New York,” said Deputy Chief Robert health professionals from the FDNY the City in response to a mock anthrax Maynes. Bureau of Health Services in conjunction exposure (since the flu vaccine was in short Organizers added that this year’s exer- with the FDNY Bureau of Operations. supply, candy was distributed instead). The cise had particular relevance in light of the More than 3,000 members participated in Department of Homeland Security recent Avian Flu outbreak across Europe the exercise. observed the exercise, which was used to and Asia. “This is our way of being prepared,” help develop a national model for first “This is just one more way for us to be said FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. responders dealing with bio-terrorism. ready for anything,” Dr. Kelly said.

10 FDNYNEWS ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 Welcome to ‘El Barrio’ A New Home for EMS Station 10 is unveiled It’s a new and improved ‘El Barrio.’ Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta cut the ribbon on a new home for EMS Station 10, also known as ‘El Barrio,’ at the Metropolitan Hospital Center on October 24. “The men and women of Station 10 now have a home they can be proud of,” said Commissioner Scoppetta. Dozens of members braved the brisk and windy morning to join Commissioner Commissioner Scoppetta and Chief of Department Peter Hayden join members of EMS Scoppetta in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Station 10 and representatives from Metropolitan Hospital at the ribbon-cutting ceremo- The new station, located on 99th Street ny officially opening the new station. and First Avenue, will house six Basic Life Support Units (one of which is a tal Center’s Emergency Room to its new At the ceremony, the two men were Haz-tac ambulance), one Advanced Life site at Draper Hall. The group also honored with cut glass awards for the res- Support Unit (also a Haz-tac unit) and designed and oversaw the construction of cue. two supervisory patrol units. The staff the new, modernized station. “A little girl is alive today because of includes 63 EMTs, 11 paramedics and 14 “I commend the EMTs and paramedics the great work of these two EMTs,” said supervisors. for the amazing work they do every day,” Commissioner Scoppetta. He added that “The renovated Station 10 has said Louis Martir, Executive Director of the remarkable rescue was just an exam- improved the quality of the workplace for Metropolitan Hospital Center. “They have ple of the many that will be performed out all its members,” said EMS Captain Abdo shown their dedication to providing the of Station 10’s new home. Nahmod. “The morale at the Station has best medical services for all New York- Jose Sanchez, Generations+/Northern been extremely positive, and the staff is ers.” Manhattan Health Network’s Senior Vice very involved with community education Two such EMTs are Ryan Daley and President, agreed, saying, “We’re in the and other programs. We are truly a part of Gary Thomas. The pair performed what business of saving the lives of the young, this El Barrio community.” Commissioner Scoppetta deemed “the old, sick and unlucky and people who are th New York City Health and Hospitals Miracle on 96 Street,” when they resus- in the wrong place at the wrong time. Corporation (HHC) managed the EMS citated a three-month old girl after she Now they’ll be getting treatment from the Station’s move from Metropolitan Hospi- went into cardiac arrest last year. right place.”

ber where all of them were,” Fire Marshal tkamp’s enthusiasm for the job is unmistak- High Tech Arrests Bosco said. “Any which way he could burn able, and that is just what the bosses want- (Continued from page 5) something, he did.” ed. Yet cases like this are rare, there is usu- “These fire marshals are very active and “It’s often like putting a puzzle togeth- ally a motive behind incendiary blazes, and work extremely hard,” said Supervising er,” said Fire Marshal Rottkamp. most occur in desolate areas of the City. Fire Marshal Rick Barry. “It’s blossomed One of their most memorable cases, The most popular locations are under into a great unit. And it’s all due to the ener- they said, was an arsonist whom they bridges and railroad overpasses, as well as gy of the Marshals we have working here.” recently arrested for a string of car fires in isolated neighborhoods like Red Hook Chief McCahey launched the Squad in along Central Park West in Manhattan. The and Borough Park, Brooklyn; Hunts Point September 2003, after he noticed that cuts duo alerted the NYPD when they noticed in the Bronx; and Long Island City, in fire marshal staffing caused most vehicle nine car fires had occurred in the area with- Queens. fires to go uninvestigated. in a span of five months. “Each borough has its own location “We went from 300 marshals to 100, but In early November, a man was arrested where you see a majority of the fires,” said the workload didn’t take a two-thirds cut,” in connection with one case of arson. And, Fire Marshal Rottkamp. he said. “So auto fires fell to the bottom of after talking with him for several hours, the And as these men wind through the the heap.” suspect admitted to being a pyromaniac, streets of New York on their way to their Since its inception, Chief McCahey said and told the Fire Marshals of at least 20 car next investigation, they energetically talk the Squad has investigated more vehicle fires he had set in Manhattan and Brooklyn about how they question suspects, catch related offenses than the fire marshals were since 2003. people in their own lies and get them to able to probe even before job cutbacks. The “He had set so many, he didn’t remem- confess. Fire Marshals Bosco and Rot- (Continued on next page)

FDNYNEWS 11 ViewPoint from 9 MetroTech December 2005 2005 ADMINISTRATIVE AWARDS Medal and Award Recipients Administration Medal – Technology Chief Stephen Geraghty and Support Deputy Fire Commissioner Community Mayors Nicholas DeGae- Milton Fischberger ta Award – Ceremonial Unit The Leon Lowenstein Award I – Inci- Martin Scott Medal – Fire Marshal dent Management Team Leadership Daniel Caruso The Leon Lowenstein Award II – The Fire Commissioner’s Award for Director of Bureau Health Services Mary T. Meritorious Service – Deputy Assistant McLaughlin Chief of EMS Operations John S. McFar- George F. Mand Award – Director of land Technical Services Robin Mundy-Sutton The Fire Commissioner’s Award for Chief Thomas P. O’Brien Award – Meritorious Service – Special Assistant Tour Supervisor Robert Carolan Counsel Alexandra Fisher and Chief Inves- The Fire Commissioner’s Award for tigator Eugene Samojedny On December 8, Fire Commissioner Outstanding Service – Associate Commis- The Fire Commissioner’s Award for Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department sioner Michael Vecchi Meritorious Service – Candidate Investi- Peter Hayden presented 13 Administrative gation Division Medals and Awards to individuals and units Moe Ginsberg Award – Clerical Asso- that provided exemplary service and support ciate Rose Bolos The Fire Commissioner’s Award for to the FDNY throughout the year. James J. Johnston Memorial Medal – Meritorious Service – Staff of the Ambu- Award recipients included Supervising Project Team to revise certification process lance Revenue Unit Dispatcher Robert Carolan, who has served for Fire Safety Directors The Fire Commissioner’s Award for the Department for 59 years. Also honored Honorary Chief of Department Jack Meritorious Service – Communications were the leadership of the Incident Manage- Lerch Medal – Supervisor of Mechanics Improvement Workgroup ment Team, which served instrumental in Richard Cozzolino The Fire Commissioner’s Award for supporting the southern states following The Honorary Fire Officers Associa- Meritorious Service – Court Desk and Lit- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. tion Medal – Bureau of Training Battalion igation Support Unit

High Tech Arrests inception,” said Supervising Fire Marshal VIEW Barry. (Continued from previous page) P OINT Car insurance companies such as Geico DECEMBER 2005 unit also forged relationships with a num- and State Farm provide the FDNY with a NEWSLETTER OF THE NYC FIRE DEPARTMENT ber of agencies, including the NYPD and variety of tools to help them catch offend- Department of Sanitation, with whom they ers, such as Blackberry wireless devices FIRE DEPARTMENT often work to solve cases. They also work that can run license plates and high-tech CITY OF NEW YORK closely with police, fire and sanitation laptops. 9 METROTECH CENTER BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201 agencies in other states, to catch and arrest But the Fire Marshals stress that the people who cross state lines to set fires. individuals they arrest are not always hard- Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York Nicholas Scoppetta, NYC Fire Commissioner But, they said, the most effective alliance ened criminals. has been with the car insurance industry. “We’re not dealing with typical crimi- FRANCIS X. GRIBBON “We’ve saved insurance companies an nals here,” said Chief McCahey. “Some of DEPUTY COMMISSIONER estimated $10 million since the Squad’s S. PAUL ANTONELLI these people are at a dif- PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR ficult place in their life VIRGINIA LAM where they think [arson] EDITOR is a good option.” EMILY RAHIMI In the future he hopes SENIOR WRITER

to double the Squad, but THOMAS ITTYCHERIA for now, Chief McCahey GRAPHICS / LAYOUT is simply pleased to have FDNY PHOTO UNIT such a successful unit. PHOTO SERVICES “The Auto Fraud ViewPoint is published entirely in-house by the FDNY Squad would not work Office of Public Information without the Marshals in it,” he said. “They cover FDNY all five boroughs, seven 1865-2005 days a week and work A 140 YEAR HISTORY In August, the Squad's fire marshals investigated this long hours. I can’t ask for OF COMMITMENT, burned out 2005 Lexus in an isolated area of Queens. much more than that.” COURAGE & COMPASSION

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