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FDNY REMEMBRANCE EVENTS HONOR THE 343 MEMBERS KILLED 23 YEARS AGO ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
The New York City Fire Department held a day full of remembrance events on September 11th to honor the members who were killed 23 years ago while responding to Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center.
“There are two words that we hear constantly, and I've heard it all morning: never forget,” Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said at an afternoon event at FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn. “When we say we’ll never forget, we will never forget. I promise you that.”
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those who have died of illnesses related to their work during the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade
Acting Chief of Department John Esposito added: “Twenty-three years ago, the lives of everybody in this department, both uniform and civilian, changed forever. Hundreds of first responders rushed to the towers to rescue people they never met. It is very important that we remember what they did there that day. I believe that some of them knew that they were not going to make it home that night, and they still pressed on and did their job.”
The FDNY lost 343 members on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 370 members have since died from World Trade Center-related illnesses.
The FDNY will never forget. n
FDNY COMMISSIONER ROBERT S. TUCKER WARNS OF CONTINUED DANGERS OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES FOLLOWING RECENT FIRES
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headquarters in Brooklyn.
The briefing comes following two large fires within a 48-hour window that required significant response from the FDNY: a four-alarm fire in Brooklyn and a barge fire in Long Island City, Queens. Both fires were started by lithium-ion batteries.
"As your Fire Commissioner, my top priority is to keep the people of New York City safe and our members safe," Commissioner Tucker said. "We need the public's help. One life lost is too many."
Data collected in 2023 showed that nearly 60% of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries were caused by batteries that were not charging.
"This data is important in recognizing that it is not only
FDNY
batteries being charged that pose a threat, but those that are not being charged," Commissioner Tucker said.
Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn added: "These two operations were extremely taxing on our units and the residents, not to mention the surrounding communities. The number of lithium-ion battery fires this year are equal to the number of fires we had last year at this time. Injuries are down and the deaths are down, but we're extremely concerned about the damage these fires cause. ... These batteries can be dangerous and unpredictable."
For safety information on lithium-ion batteries, go to nyc. gov/fdny/batteries. n
Loud cheers echoed throughout the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility on Staten Island as the FDNY promoted fire members at a ceremony Friday, Sept. 13.
"Your promotions today are making you leaders of the greatest fire department in the world. I know you are aware of how much responsibility comes with leadership," Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker told the promotees. "It's your expertise and knowledge that will be called upon in very difficult situations—both on the fireground and in the firehouse. ... In your new roles, I expect you will lead with patience and pragmatism."
"The road to promotion requires significant commitment in time and effort spent studying volumes of fire department material. As you know all too well, that involves sacrificing precious time away from family and friends. Without question, you've worked hard to get here," Acting Chief of Department John Esposito said.
At the ceremony, members were promoted to lieutenant, captain, fire marshal and supervising fire marshal. They will be assigned to various units throughout New York City. n
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, Acting Chief of Department John Esposito and former Mets first baseman David Wright at the Battle of the Badges Charity Baseball Game at Citi Field.
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker and Acting Chief of Department John Esposito honor the 343 members who made the Supreme Sacrifice 23 years ago by laying a wreath at the Firemen’s Memorial in Manhattan.
At a ceremony on Sept. 4, the FDNY added the names of 32 members who have died of illnesses related to their work in in the rescue and recovery efforts following September 11 to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall at Department headquarters in Brooklyn.
FDNY members, families and friends attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the New York City Fire Museum’s FDNY 343 Memorial. Built in 2002, the memorial was the first permanent tribute to the Department’s members who made the Supreme Sacrifice at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center.
The FDNY and the U.S. Army remember and honor those who made the Supreme Sacrifice 23 years ago on September 11, 2001, during the annual FDNY EMS Academy September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at Fort Totten. The ceremony also pays tribute to
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HOLDS PROMOTION CEREMONY FOR FIRE LIEUTENANTS, CAPTAINS AND MARSHALS
(1) WINNER, WINNER! The FDNY Bravest baseball team took down the NYPD, 5-1, in the third-annual Battle of the Badges charity baseball game on Sept. 12 at Citi Field. The Department thanks the New York Mets and David Wright for hosting the game. (2) In the Battle of the Badges on the lacrosse field, the FDNY narrowly fell to the NYPD, 9-8, in an overtime thriller on Sept. 7 at Hofstra University. Congrats to all involved in this year’s matchup! (3) FDNY members, family, friends and the public gathered at Engine 10/Ladder 10—known as the FDNY Ten House—in Lower Manhattan for the annual Sundown Ceremony to remember the 343 members and all those lost 23 years ago. (4) The FDNY’s commemoration of September 11th spanned the country. In Idaho and California, more than 45 members of the FDNY Incident Management Team were operating at two separate wild land fires. On the morning of Sept. 11, each team marked the 23rd anniversary of the attacks during their morning operations brief. (5) Former New York Mets third baseman David Wright visits with members at Engine 39/Ladder 16 on the Upper East Side on Sept. 9. As part of an annual tradition, the New York Mets visit FDNY members at different firehouses each year ahead of the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. (6) Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker and FDNY members marched in the 2024 African American Day Parade in Harlem. Members celebrated their heritage and had a great time interacting with their community! n
PROBATIONARY EMTs LAY WREATH AT 9/11 MEMORIAL, HOST FAMILY DAY MEET DIVISION CHIEF MARK BONILLA
1. What is your name, title and years at FDNY? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities?
My name is Mark Bonilla. I joined FDNY in 1997. I am the Chief in Charge of EMS Special Operations. I oversee the daily operations of our specialty units, which include Haz-Tac and Rescue paramedics.
2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY?
It was a nice summer day, and I was outside in my neighborhood. I used to always see the am bulances go up and down Broadway with the sirens blaring and lights on. I said to myself, “That must be a cool, exciting job.” A friend of mine happened to work at FDNY, and I bumped into him one day, and he said, “Hey, they’re hiring.” I put in my application, and here I am.
3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?
I was working in the Bronx doing an overtime shift—it was a Sunday, I believe—and I was in the 18th Battalion area, and a call came in for a cardiac arrest. It was a teenager; I believe he was 15 years old. I was literally a few blocks away, and I responded to the assignment.
We ended up getting the young man back, and it ended up being a nephew of one of the guys at my station. I was so glad I was working the shift. I was in the right place at the right time; everybody did an amazing job. I got to see him again at the Second Chance brunch with his family.
4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you?
Being part of this Department, you’ve got to be the best of the best. I know there are probably other agencies—like NYPD, which has a great team and family—but being here, hands down we outshine everybody. This is a special family environment.
5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?
Remaining humble. Communicating with the Department membership and with the community creates for a powerful experience. I try to be a leader, not a manager.
My job is to make everybody that comes through here a better person. Seeing these EMTs and paramedics come up, like myself, as a young EMT out in the Bronx, knowing you can do powerful things here.
I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I grew up in Washington Heights, and I remember my mother, who passed away, telling me, “Just keep working at it. It’s going to happen. You just got to stay focused.” So that’s what I try to tell the young people, men and women that come through: Just stay focused. You’ll get it. Work hard and stay humble.
6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY?
My role here is to put out the best of the best that the EMS has to offer for the Department and the communities we serve. When you come through HazTac and Rescue, you’re 100% stronger as an EMT, paramedic and rescue paramedic. You bring that skill set to the community so when there’s a time of crisis or a time of need, the community and the people of the City are getting the best of the best. n
A New York City Fire Department tradition: On Sept. 14, the families of the latest class of FDNY probationary EMTs were welcomed to the EMS Academy at Fort Totten for Family Day.
Then, on Sept. 16, the probationary EMTs took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial followed by a visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The wreath-laying is a tribute made by all probationary members prior to graduating, and it’s part of the FDNY’s promise to never forget. n
a carbon monoxide emergency with Lt. Kyle Van Nostrand and rescue paramedics Giovanni Cummings and Sharona
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TRIBUTE IN LIGHT — The Tribute in Light shines high into the New York City sky on Sept. 11, 2024, honoring all the innocent lives taken 23 years ago. n
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FATHER MYCHAL F. JUDGE WALK OF REMEMBRANCE
On Sept. 8, FDNY members, families and friends traced the footsteps of FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal F. Judge during the annual Walk of Remembrance. He was one of the 343 FDNY members killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th. n