MyFDNY NEWS
FDNY PROMOTES FIRE OFFICERS AT CEREMONY IN QUEENS, INCLUDING MICHELE FITZSIMMONS, WHO BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY CHIEF IN FIRE OPERATIONS
The FDNY promoted its latest group of fire officers on Feb. 14 during a ceremony at Queens College, and it was a historic day for the Department.
“This moment is the culmination of many months of hard work and dedication,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. “Being a leader in the FDNY is a privilege and a responsibility, and it is a role I know each of you honors and cherishes.”
FEBRUARY 2025
FIRE
John M. Esposito
Among the promoted members was Michele Fitzsimmons, a 24-year veteran of the FDNY who was promoted to the rank of deputy chief. She becomes the first-ever deputy chief in fire operations in the Department’s history and is now the highest-ranking female firefighter. THE FDNY URGES THE PUBLIC TO
BLOCK FIRE HYDRANTS
The FDNY is reminding the public to never block fire hydrants with parked vehicles after firefighters responding to fires in Brooklyn and in the Bronx were delayed due to cars being illegally parked.
The fires happened Feb. 9 and Feb. 12. In both instances, responding units discovered vehicles blocking the closest fire hydrants to the fire buildings. It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
SCAN ME
SCAN ME
FDNY PROMOTES FIRE OFFICERS AT CEREMONY IN QUEENS, INCLUDING MICHELE FITZSIMMONS, WHO BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY CHIEF IN FIRE OPERATIONS
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In early February, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker visited P.S. 133K and participated in World Read Aloud Day with FDNY’s mascot, Hot Dog. The group read a book about firefighters and talked about important fire safety information.
Follow FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on
15 FEET
It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in
For more fire hydrant
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Fire Commissioner Tucker, addressing Chief Fitzsimmons, said: “You are making history today, shattering the glass ceiling for women everywhere and reminding our city that promotional opportunities in the FDNY know no limits. You are showing women and girls everywhere what leadership looks like, what possibility looks like. The impact of your promotion today will reverberate for decades.”
Chief Fitzsimmons, who joined the FDNY in 2001, comes from a family of firefighters. Her great-grandfather
joined the FDNY in 1909, her grandfather joined in 1932 and her sister joined in 2006.
“I hope that other women who are in the Department now can see themselves rising through the ranks, and I hope that young girls can see themselves as being firefighters in the New York City Fire Department,” Chief Fitzsimmons said after her promotion.
At the ceremony, members were promoted to the rank of deputy chief, battalion chief, lieutenant and captain. n
THE FDNY URGES THE PUBLIC TO NEVER BLOCK FIRE HYDRANTS
Continued from Page 1
“I’m begging New Yorkers in all five boroughs: Please do not leave your cars on hydrants,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said following the Feb. 9 fire in Brooklyn. “Cars parked on hydrants are part of the reason we have the outcome that we have here today—this is a fatal fire, and there’s no doubt that the cars that were parked on the hydrants have slowed down our members from engaging in firefighting tactics.”
Seconds matter in an emergency, and blocking a hydrant could delay firefighters.
Call 311 to report a blocked or improperly opened fire hydrant. For more information, go to FDNYSmart.org. n
COMMISSIONER
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker addressed the FDNY Foundation on Feb. 6 and provided a comprehensive overview of the state of the FDNY and the Department's vision for the future.
Speaking to Foundation members and public safety leaders, Fire Commissioner Tucker highlighted the Department's achievements, challenges and priorities.
"As an agency, the FDNY is strong, but the FDNY of today is not the FDNY of yesteryear," Commissioner Tucker said. "We are stronger, better trained and more ready than ever to handle whatever comes our way. We also need help."
In 2024, the FDNY responded to 1.6 million medical calls. About 50% of calls firefighters are dispatched to are medical calls. The future of the FDNY is in emergency medical services, Commissioner Tucker said.
"We are now asking tough questions of ourselves," he said. "What resources do we need that we don’t have? What strategies do we need to have ready to deploy? Most importantly, what training and equipment do our firefighters require that they're not currently getting? These questions keep me up at night, and they are central to any public safety policy we create going forward."
For more information and to support the FDNY Foundation, the official nonprofit organization of the Department, go to FDNYFoundation.org. n
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(1) BRAVEST BRINGS THE HEAT! FDNY Basketball topped NYPD, 74-67, in the 2nd annual Battle of the Badges on Jan. 26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Proceeds from the event went toward charitable organizations for both the Bravest and the Finest. (2) The FDNY Phoenix Society proudly celebrated the Year of the Snake by marching in the Lunar New Year Parade on Feb. 16 in Manhattan. (3) The FDNY marked 100 years of service from Engine 307/Ladder 154 at a centennial celebration on Feb. 6. The celebration was held inside firehouse quarters and included members, alumni, family and friends . Engine 307/Ladder 154 went into service together on Feb. 2, 1925, providing service to the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens. (4) The FDNY honored the memory of fallen members with a mass and ceremony on Jan. 23 to mark the 20th anniversary of “Black Sunday,” one of the deadliest days in FDNY history. Four members were killed on the same day in 2005 at two separate fires in the Bronx and in Brooklyn: Lt. Curtis Meyran, Lt. John Bellew, Lt. Joe DiBernardo Jr. and Firefighter Richard Sclafani all made the Supreme Sacrifice. (5) On Jan. 31, FDNY Probationary EMTs participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This tribute is made by all probationary EMTs and firefighters prior to graduation as part of the FDNY’s promise to Never Forget. (6) The FDNY held Family Day on Feb. 8 at the EMS Academy at Fort Totten. Probationary EMTs welcomed their families to the training ground and gave them a glimpse into the skills they learned over the previous 13 weeks. n
MEET FIREFIGHTER NICHOLAS WELCH, LADDER 123
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 Nicholas Welch. I started my firefighting career with the FDNY in 2013, and I’m currently assigned to Ladder 123 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. My responsibility as a firefighter is to serve the people of New York City whenever they call. No matter what time of day and what type of incident it is, big or small, my job is to get there as quickly as possible and solve the problem.
2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY?
I’m the first in my family to join the FDNY. I remember when I was a kid living in Brooklyn, my dad would take me to visit the local firehouse. I knew right then that this was what I wanted to do when I grew up. As I got older, I followed the path to become a New York City firefighter by first joining the FDNY Explorers program and then becoming an FDNY EMT. I later took a promotional exam, and now today, I’m a New York City firefighter.
3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY?
My most memorable moment in the FDNY was walking across the stage at Proby School graduation knowing I’d accomplished my childhood dream—and that being said, I will always try my best to motivate anyone to never give up and to follow their dreams.
4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you?
What We Are FDNY means to me is that we are one big family with different tasks, and we all work together as a team to get the job done.
I’ve met a lot of people on this job whose experience and good advice have served as a mentor for me to become an even better person in life. They have helped me become the sharp, humble and motivated firefighter that I am today.
5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?
I feel that my superpower is being able to train and come up with training scenarios that will help fellow members become even better firefighters and be better prepared to operate when the bell goes off and put that training to use.
6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY?
My role is to protect the life and property of the people in New York City. When I put this uniform on, I wear it with pride. That motivates me to get on the rig and fulfill my tasks as a firefighter to the best of my ability. I will give all that I’ve got to make someone’s day better, and I will continue to get on that rig and keep that positive drive going. n
FDNY MOURNS THE PASSING OF OLDEST RETIRED FIREFIGHTER
The FDNY mourned the loss of retired firefighter Anthony Aquaro, who died Jan. 10. He was 103 years old and the oldest retired FDNY member. Firefighter Aquaro was a 26-year veteran of the Department, joining in 1953 when he was 31 years old after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed at Engine 269 in Brooklyn.
The FDNY extends its deepest condolences to the Aquaro family. n
FDNY COMMISSIONER ROBERT S. TUCKER HELPS INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS IN NEW YORK CITY HOMES AS PART OF THE 2025 MLK DAY OF SERVICE
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of community service, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker joined members of the Department’s Fire Safety Education Unit on Jan. 20 to install free smoke alarms for New York City residents. The initiative, part of the FDNY’s ongoing efforts to promote fire safety and community education, highlights the Department’s commitment to protecting New Yorkers, particularly those in high-risk communities. The installation was made possible by the FDNY Foundation’s generous support of the FDNY’s lifesaving safety education and smoke alarm campaign. The American Red Cross is also a partner. Having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save lives. Read more by scanning the QR code. n
podcast highlights
"If you’re not in shape, it’s just going to hurt you in the long run.” - JoinFDNY Podcast Episode 25
THE WRAP
The FDNY celebrated 50 years of paramedicine in New York City with the release of its latest film, “An Extraordinary Measure,” during a premiere event Jan. 28 inside the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium at headquarters in Brooklyn. The 30-minute film, presented by the FDNY Foundation and the FDNY Pro Film Board, depicts how New York City EMS paramedicine made its debut in 1974, exponentially advancing pre-hospital care, and how it evolved into the FDNY’s elite paramedic program of today. It features interviews with FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, FDNY Chief of EMS Operations Michael Fields and members from the first New York City paramedic class. Watch the film at FDNYPro.org or by scanning the QR code above. n
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SCAN ME
In studio with FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, who sits down to discuss issues facing the Department, including a new push for federal legislation to regulate lithium-ion batteries and utilizing artificial intelligence to improve public safety.
Throwback FDNY to 1898, when the FDNY transitioned the city away from volunteer fire services to a citywide department following the consolidation of the five boroughs.
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