MyFDNY News: May 2024

MyFDNY NEWS

After more than two years of advocacy, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh celebrates Congressional passage of lithium-ion battery regulation

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is celebrating the successful congressional passage of lithium-ion battery regulation, achieved through collaborative advocacy efforts with local, state and federal partners.

“This bill is the first step in what must be a long-term, nationwide conversation,” Fire Commissioner Kavanagh said. “Technologies like these are evolving rapidly, and public safety agencies must be part of those conversations. We need to work together, share information and ideas.”

FIRE COMMISSIONER Laura Kavanagh

FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Joseph Pfeifer

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT John J. Hodgens

We Are FDNY

Meet

Mobile Developer

Weirong (Jason) Lin

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H.R. 1797, also known as the “Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act,” would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batDepartment kicks off recruitment campaign for 2024 FDNY firefighter open competitive exam

FDNY leadership lauds Mayor, City Council’s support of enhanced safety measures for EMS members Spotlight Page 2

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh on May 14 launched the new FDNY recruitment campaign "All Heroes Welcome." The campaign, aimed at increasing diversity within the Department, features FDNY firefighters touting the benefits of joining the FDNY,

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After more than two years of advocacy, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh celebrates Congressional passage of lithium-ion battery regulation

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teries used commonly in micro mobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters, to protect against fire risk.

“This is not just a New York City issue,” Commissioner Kavanagh said. “Municipalities outside of New York have begun to see an uptick in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. This legislation will make it much more difficult for dangerous batteries to enter our country, and we are glad it

has bipartisan support.”

Fire Commissioner Kavanagh has traveled to Washington, D.C., at least four times over the last two years to meet with lawmakers and advocate for change. Most recently, she met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on May 7. She then attended the inaugural World Fire Congress on May 8 and joined a panel of experts from fire departments around the world to discuss collaboration, data collection, public education and messaging related to the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

Fire Commissioner Kavanagh also testified before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner in July 2023: “We reached a point of crisis in New York City,” she said. Lithium-ion batteries have caused approximately 500 fires and killed 24 people in the last two years and continue to be among the top causes of fatal fires in New York City.

A companion bill in the Senate, S.1008, was introduced in March and referred to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. n

Department kicks off recruitment campaign for 2024

FDNY firefighter open competitive exam

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including flexible schedules, generous City benefits, union representation and competitive salaries, plus retirement and pension benefits.

The filing period for the FDNY firefighter open competitive exam opens on June 24, 2024. A written exam will be held later this year with a physical exam to follow. This is the first firefighter exam offered in seven years.

"The men and women who work in the FDNY are our frontline heroes who put their lives on the line to keep all New Yorkers safe every day," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. "For the first time in nearly a decade, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to join the ranks of New York's Bravest, and we are hoping to attract the best talent this City has to offer, while also building a workforce that mirrors the City that we love."

"The campaign is called 'All Heroes Welcome' because we are hoping to attract a pool of applicants that looks like our City: people from all neighborhoods and backgrounds, who share one goal in common: a desire to serve the public and save lives," Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. "We truly are the best Fire Department in the world, and becoming part of the FDNY will change your life. Learn about us. Get excited about us, and become part of the FDNY family."

The campaign features 10 current FDNY firefighters: brothers Manuel Zuaznabar (Ladder 123) and Emmanuel Zuaznabar (Ladder 110), sisters Ashley Laroche (Engine 236) and Shanah Laroche (Engine 309), Darren Grant (Squad 18), Casey Chan (Engine 15), Constance Fripp (Engine 283), Destini Torres (Engine 4), Jason Powell (Engine 44) and Tyrin Torres (Ladder 123). Each member has a unique background and reason for joining the Department as well as a shared dedication to serving our City.

Available in 10 languages, the advertising campaign will appear on the transit system, online and on social media channels, on the radio and in key community newspapers throughout the open exam filing period, which runs from June 24 to August 9. In addition to the campaign, the FDNY will conduct citywide outreach at career fairs, colleges and houses of worship. The FDNY offers multiple resources to assist interested candidates, including free exam prep sessions for the written portion and workout sessions to prepare for the candidate physical ability test.

Currently, 28% of firefighters are minorities, with 16.5% identifying as Hispanic, 10% as Black, 2.5% as Asian and less than one percent as Native American. Additionally, 1.6% of all firefighters are female. The last class to graduate from the Fire Academy in March was more than 50% minority, with 30% Hispanic, 16% Black, 3% Asian American, and 1.5% Native American. 3.3% were women. Interested applicants should sign up at joinfdny.com or email recruitment@fdny.nyc.gov. n

Mayor Eric Adams signed two bills May 1, 2024, to enhance safety measures for FDNY’s frontline emergency medical workers.

Sponsored by New York City Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli, Introduction 126-A provides body armor to EMS employees and establishes requirements that protective equipment meet ballistic- and stab-resistance standards of the National Institute of Justice. Introduction 127-A requires FDNY provide de-escalation and self-defense training to EMS workers. The FDNY has been providing ballistics vests and self-defense training to all EMS members for more than 20 years, but the new legislation now makes the Department legally required to do so.

“FDNY EMS members respond to calls day and night, delivering crucial emergency medical care to New Yorkers,” Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. “Their safety is incredibly important, as is providing them with the protection they need. While the FDNY already provided body armor to all EMTs, we are grateful to the mayor and the City Council for supporting our efforts.”

“They are the ones who are providing emergency medical care to New Yorkers—often unsure of what is going to take place when they walk through the doors,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Oftentimes, they respond before other first responders. They are the selfless heroes who show up when we need them the most. … Our EMS employees always have the backs of New Yorkers, and we want to make sure we have them covered as well with this legislation.” The New York City Council approved the bill unanimously on April 11. n

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(1) Congrats to the FDNY hockey team, who claimed victory in the 50th-anniversary Hockey Heroes game against the NYPD! (2) Military, federal, state and local medical responders joined the FDNY and the FDNY Foundation for the 11th annual Search and Rescue Field Medicine Symposium (SRFM). (3) Three FDNY fire marshals were honored by the 43rd Precinct Council and City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias at the Council’s annual Fellowship Breakfast. (4) FDNY members participated in the Haitian Culture Day Parade in Brooklyn. (5) The FDNY Emergency Medical Dispatch at PSAC 2 hosted the Muddy Angels during their annual National EMS Memorial Bike Ride through New York City. (6) As Deputy Chief James McNally bids farewell to his distinguished career spanning 42 years, the FDNY extends heartfelt congratulations on his well-earned retirement. n

Meet Mobile Developer Weirong (Jason) Lin

1. What is your name, title and number of years at FDNY? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities?

My name is Weirong Lin, and I’m a mobile developer. I have been with the Department for four years, and I’m assigned to the Bureau of Technology Development and Systems (BTDS). Some of my responsibilities have included developing mobile and web applications to support EMS and fire personnel with handling their day-to-day tasks. To date, I’ve worked on the Patient Tracking System application [used by EMS to enter patient information], our Creation Report System [used by candidates who are in the process of joining FDNY] and FDOC [which is used by our leadership to keep up with fire activity reports]. It makes me happy that Department members use applications that I have developed to do their life-saving work.

2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY?

Before joining the FDNY, I used to work at WebMD. I wanted to create applications that help people in public safety situations, so I decided to join FDNY to help strive toward that goal.

3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?

Most of my memorable moments are connected to the applications that I’ve created. I get super excited whenever one that I’ve worked on goes live. It’s meaningful to create something that helps our team do their job more efficiently.

4. What does “We Are FDNY” mean to you?

To me, “We Are FDNY” represents a sense of pride and honor. Being a member of the FDNY feels like being a part of a family.

5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?

My superpower is programming and holding technical knowledge. It’s a language of its own, with its own methods of expression.

6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY?

My role is to develop increasingly efficient and helpful mobile apps for our firefighters and EMS personnel. It’s important for them to perform tasks quickly and in the best way possible, while also prioritizing safety and critical execution. I’m in a constant state of appraisal, as our team uses these in the field and I seek to make my apps better. n

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh presides at FDNY Promotion Ceremony

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh presided over a ceremony promoting 11 battalion chiefs on April 30 at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn. “Each of these newly promoted battalion chiefs plays a crucial role in the success of the FDNY,” said Commissioner Kavanagh. “As leaders, they are helping to mold the future of our Department, and we are proud to see them promoted today.” Together, the newly promoted members represent more than 230 years of experience with the Department. The new chiefs will be assigned to various units throughout the City. n

THE WRAP

The Empire State Building, in partnership with the FDNY, was illuminated in yellow, white and blue with their signature heartbeat effect May 19 in celebration of National EMS Week 2024. n

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FDNY subway operations and power removal considerations with Battalion Chief Bill Ventura

“I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

Throwback FDNY to 1856, when the tallest building in the country is destroyed by fire; to 1920, when the FDNY Honor Emergency Fund was founded; and to 1939, when a new apparatus was introduced at LaGuardia Airport.

raced up 1,100 feet to the top of Summit One Vanderbilt to highlight the importance of physical fitness for FDNY firefighters, EMT’s and paramedics. n

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