CIVILIAN FIRE-RELATED DEATHS REACH 38-YEAR LOW IN NEW YORK CITY
Mayor Giuliani Credits Protective Bunker Gear, Defibrillation Training and Free Smoke Detector Program
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today announced that civilian fire deaths in New York City have fallen 22 percent since 1991 and have reached levels not seen in four decades. Last year's total of 145 deaths represents the lowest number of civilian fire-related deaths in the City since 1959, when there were 124. In 1996, there were 149 deaths.
Based on a preliminary survey of major U.S. cities in 1997, New York City was shown to have one of the lowest per capita rates of civilian fire-related deaths, with 2.0 deaths per 100,000 residents. This rate is lower than in many American cities including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
"For the past two years, New York City has experienced a drop in fire deaths unprecedented in the City's recent history," Mayor Giuliani said. "While across the nation fire deaths have increased by 12 percent, New York City has experienced a significant decrease that represents the lowest figures in almost four decades.
"The City and the Fire Department have made key improvements in the past few years to better protect New Yorkers from fire," Mayor Giuliani explained. "New York's bravest are now outfitted in protective bunker gear which gives them greater personal protection. Firefighters have also been trained as Certified First Responders, and are capable of administering life-saving defibrillation for victims of fire who are in cardiac arrest."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "We have also made public education on fire safety a top priority. Innovative programs such as distribution of free smoke detectors and creation of fire safety learning centers, where we educate children about the dangers of fire, have added to our success. We have also established a smoke detector giveaway program in areas where we've experienced an increased number of fire fatalities, and created a Fatal Fire Reduction Team to give special assistance to communities where there has been loss of life in fires."
Commissioner Von Essen explained that the consistent drop during the past few years clearly shows that the message of fire safety is getting through to the public. He noted that most fatal fires last year were the result of careless smoking and cooking, and the improper use of electrical extension cords.
Mayor Giuliani and Commissioner Von Essen also credited the Fire Department's participation in the Quality-of-Life Nightclub Enforcement Task Force for contributing to the low number of fire fatalities. The multi-agency group, headed by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, inspects bars and dance clubs to ensure that City and State fire and safety regulations are obeyed. The Task Force hopes to prevent another tragedy like the 1990 fire at the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx in which 87 people died.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number of fire-related civilian fatalities in the United States increased in 1995 and 1996. The NFPA does not yet have statistics for 1997.
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