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FDNY COMMISSIONER ROBERT S. TUCKER ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRES
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on Jan. 8 announced significant progress in the Department’s battle against lithium-ion battery fires.
In 2024, the city had six deaths related to lithium-ion batteries, compared to 18 deaths in 2023, a 67 percent decrease.
"While the FDNY faced increases in both fire and emergency medical service calls in 2024, our Department's dedication to fire prevention, education, and outreach has saved lives,” Fire Commissioner Tucker said. “Fire-related fatalities are down by 25 percent compared to last year, with a significant 67 percent reduction in deaths related to lithium-ion batteries. One death is too many, but this progress is the result of enhanced public education, inspection efforts and greater community engagement. Despite the higher volume of calls, our EMS personnel and firefighters have worked tirelessly to save lives, and their efforts have helped make 2024 a safer year for New Yorkers."
JANUARY 2025
S. TUCKER WELCOMES
CLASS OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS
The FDNY welcomed its second class of 2024 probationary firefighters at a graduation ceremony Dec. 27 at Queens College.
“Public service is among the most noble careers, and you all are among an elite and incredible group
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FDNY COMMISSIONER ROBERT S. TUCKER ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRES
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LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Since 2021, the FDNY has been sounding the alarm about the threat of lithium-ion batteries. In 2023, the city had 18 fatalities due to lithium-ion batteries. Through consistent safety messaging, inspections, community outreach and a targeted $1 million ad campaign, the number of deaths caused by these devices in 2024 fell to six.
The FDNY Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force inspected 585 e-bike shops in 2024, a 25 percent increase from 2023. They issued 426 FDNY summonses, 138 violation orders and 32 criminal summonses, and seven vacate orders with the Department of Buildings.
In 2024, 277 fires were started by lithium-ion battery fires, compared to 268 in 2023. One hundred thirty-three of these fires were non-structural, meaning that they occurred outdoors and not in an apartment, business or home. In 2023, only 90 fires were non-structural. This decrease indicates that the public is hearing the Department’s message about storing and charging these devices outside where possible.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) OPERATIONS
In 2024, FDNY Fire and EMS operations responded to a combined 2.3 million emergency calls.
FDNY EMS responded to a new record high number of medical emergencies in 2024: 1,630,446.
EMS responses fall into one of two broad categories: Segment 1-3 incidents, which include life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, unconscious and choking calls, and Segment 4-8 incidents, which are triaged as non-life-threatening incidents. FDNY EMS responded to 627,599 Segment 1-3 calls in 2024. There were 2,158 serious fires and emergencies in 2024 compared to 2023, when there were 2,227. Serious fires and emergencies escalate to the point of requiring a full one-alarm assignment or higher (i.e., multiple alarm), consisting of a dozen fire units to respond, conduct search and rescue operations, and
extinguish the fire or mitigate the emergency.
CIVILIAN
FIRE FATALITIES
Overall, fire deaths are down 25 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023, 104 people died in fires in New York City. There were 78 fire fatalities in 2024.
The leading cause of fire fatalities was electrical fires, including six lithium-ion related deaths.
FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS
FDNY fire protection inspectors play an important role in protecting people and property in New York City by ensuring that building safety codes are met.
In addition to their work with the Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force, the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) completed 194,585 inspections, a 15 percent increase from 2023.
In 2024, BFP issued:
• 45,619 violation orders, a 37 percent increase from 2023
• 60,917 FDNY summonses, a 19 percent increase from 2023
• 313 criminal summonses, a 98 percent increase from 2023
FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EDUCATION OUTREACH
A top priority of the FDNY is educating the public about fire safety and eliminating residential fire deaths. The Fire Safety Education Unit (FSEU) is specially trained to conduct community outreach and to educate the public with critical lifesaving strategies that focus on fire prevention, with a special focus on the city's most vulnerable populations and at-risk communities.
In 2024, FSEU conducted 3,160 presentations and reached an estimated 508,975 New Yorkers. This is a 37 percent increase in total presentations coordinated compared to 2023.
The Mobile CPR Unit trained a total of 104,277 people, an increase of 55 percent from 2023, with 28 percent of trainees being high school students. Early CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator have been shown to dramatically increase the chance of survival in victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest. n
FDNY COMMISSIONER ROBERT S. TUCKER WELCOMES NEWEST CLASS OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS
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who choose to put your lives at risk in service of others,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. “As probationary firefighters, you have your entire careers ahead of you. These first years out of the academy will form the foundation of your time as a New York City firefighter. The skills you learned will be with you for the rest of your life.”
Chief of Department John M. Esposito added: “Today, you are beginning a career that is more than a job—it is as calling to commit yourselves to serving others. Never stop striving to be better. Train harder, learn more and take pride in the uniform you wear and the incredible
The FDNY held a promotion ceremony for EMS officers on Jan. 6 at St. John’s University in Queens. In total, 43 members of the Department’s emergency medical services were promoted.
“Being promoted at the FDNY is the culmination of a lot of hard work and experience,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. “It is grit, dedication and plenty of long hours on days and nights. It means leadership, taking people under your wing and establishing the standards of excellence that make this Department thrive. Each of you being promoted today are doing just that—you are leaders, the mentors and the experts we depend on to make tough calls, to administer the best care and to be there when New Yorkers need you.”
Chief of Department John Esposito said: “Your hard work, determination and dedication to service have brought you to this moment. You have earned this, and this promotion comes with the opportunity to inspire, to lead and to mentor the next generations of this Department. You are now role models, and your actions will set the standard for others to follow.”
traditions you represent.”
This graduating class of probationary firefighters included four women and 28 veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
Over the 18 weeks at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island, the probies trained in all aspects of firefighting, including fire suppression and medical response, hazardous materials, collapse and confined space rescues, auto extrication, building inspections and procedures for engine and ladder operations.
They will be assigned to firehouses across New York City. n
This promotion signifies a bright future ahead of our organization.”
The ceremony included EMS members being promoted to the rank of deputy assistant chief, division chief, deputy chief, captain and sergeant. The newly promoted officers will be assigned to units throughout New York City. n
Chief of EMS Operations Michael Fields added: “Today, we celebrate the promotees’ accomplishments and look forward to witnessing their continued success in leading the way toward a safer and healthier future for us all. ...
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(1) The FDNY held a promotion ceremony for 97 fire members on Jan. 7 at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility on Staten Island. At the promotion ceremony, members were promoted to the following ranks: assistant chief, deputy assistant chief, deputy chief, captain, lieutenant, marine wiper and supervising fire marshal. (2) Now in its 13th year, the FDNY held its annual EMS Station 58 toy drive on Dec. 23, 2024, in Canarsie. Paramedic Juan Lebron started the event in 2012 with a "simple bag of toys." It has since blossomed into a full-fledged effort by the Department, bringing holiday cheer to children in hospitals and foster care. This year, more than 600 gifts were collected for distribution. (3) FDNY members from Engine 44/Ladder 13 joined forces with NYPD officers from the 19th Precinct on Dec. 18, 2024, to bring holiday joy to children and families at Ronald McDonald House New York’s “Miracle on 73rd Street.” The teams delivered hundreds of gifts to children battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses, ensuring they had a holiday season to remember. Santa was even lifted up in the tower ladder to say hi through the windows! (4) FDNY leaders joined New Yorkers in celebrating the Festival of Lights by participating in menorah lighting ceremonies for Hanukkah. The first lighting took place on Dec. 26 in front of the quarters of Engine 216/Ladder 108/Battalion 35 and the NYPD’s 90th Precinct station house in Brooklyn. The second lighting was at Engine 282/Ladder 148 in Brooklyn. (5) Prior to graduating, the FDNY’s most recent class of probationary firefighters took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The event is a tradition for each class of probationary firefighters and EMTs to pay tribute to the 343 FDNY members killed in the line of duty on September 11th. (6) On Dec. 11, 2024, the FDNY promoted its latest group of battalion chiefs in a ceremony at the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island. The promoted members represent more than 300 years of experience with the FDNY. They were assigned to units throughout New York City. n
MEET NICOLE SPENCER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
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 Nicole Spencer. I am the senior executive assistant to the Chief of Fire Prevention. I’ve have been a City employee for the last 20 years, and I joined FDNY in 2020.
As part of my work, I process a lot of leave of absence FMLAs, retirements and resignations for the Chief’s office; handle metro cards for personnel transportation needs; and take care of the plaque requests from DOT for inspectors going out into the field, as well as anything that has to be signed off by the Chief of Fire Prevention.
2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY? I started first in human resources administration (HRA), and I’ve always been in the business of helping people. I always wanted to be at FDNY. Once I came over here to FDNY, my role has been to support my colleagues and coworkers who are going out to serve New York residents. I make sure the needs of these public servants are taken care of here at FDNY.
3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?
I started at FDNY a week before the COVID pandemic disrupted our lives. I watched how the Bureau of Fire Prevention came together as a family. Everyone was helping one another. If anyone needed transportation to get to work, someone was there to make it happen. I do not live far from the headquarters; I used to have one or two people spend a night at my place if they were working a 24-hour shift. I got COVID very early in the pandemic. Everybody kept calling to check on me, making sure I was OK. If I needed anything, they would bring it to me, since I live alone. This has been the most memorable experience in my four years at FDNY.
4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you? Family, togetherness and unity.
5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?
Mine is working with numbers. I can tell you off the top of my head, when somebody has a problem with their timesheet and they go, “Well, I did 13 and a half hours,” and once you tell me certain things, I can kind of deduct really fast in my head—nope, you only did 10. I have a way with numbers.
6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY? I am supporting people who are going out and keeping the City safe, and I am making sure they have everything that they need to serve the residents of New York City. n
FDNY MEMBERS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF VALOR FOR RESCUES IN THE BRONX, MANHATTAN
In October 2022, Lieutenant John Vanderstar of Ladder Company 44 crawled into a burning building and helped shelter a toddler and mother until firefighters extinguished heavy fire that was blocking the exit.
In February 2023, Firefighter Brendan Gaffney of Ladder Company 36 rescued two unconscious individuals—a child and a pregnant woman— who were trapped on the fifth floor of a building.
Lt. Vanderstar and Firefighter Gaffney have both been recognized at FDNY Medal Day ceremonies.
The Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest decoration for bravery
safety officers in the United States and is presented for extraordinary valor beyond the call of duty. Read more about their stories at the QR code above. n
podcast highlights
for every probationary class to showcase the training and skills they learned over 18 weeks to their families before graduation. Scan the QR code for a
The FDNY welcomed the families of the newest members of New York’s Bravest to the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island in December. It’s a Department tradition
photo album from FDNY Family Day. n
Two FDNY members were awarded the Presidential Medal of Valor on Jan. 3 for their heroic actions at fires in the Bronx and Manhattan.
exhibited by public
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