Contact: Colleen Roche/Jack Deacy (212) 788-2958
"The New York City Fire Department is more than a team of co-workers -- it's really a family," Mayor Giuliani told the firefighters. "You stand by each other in good times and bad, all too often during the most life-threatening situations imaginable. Within the Department all of you will come to depend upon one another and ultimately the entire City will put its trust in you. The success of the Department rests on your shoulders."
During his remarks, Mayor Giuliani paid tribute to the courage of Lt. James Blackmore, Captain Scott La Piedra and Firefighter Raymond Nakovics, all of whom died in the line of duty over the past year. "For each of you in the Fire Department, their legacy takes on an even deeper significance, because the courage and professionalism of all three of these men is the finest example of what a firefighter is supposed to be," the Mayor said. "They are the examples that you will strive to live up to."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "The probationary firefighters here today have embarked on a very rewarding and challenging career. Over the past 12 weeks they have learned that firefighting is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs imaginable. Their dedication and perseverance through the sometimes grueling and exhausting training shows that they are committed to providing New York City with the best fire protection in the world."
The promotions announced today included two new Battalion Chiefs, 15 new Lieutenants and six members of the FDNY's Marine Division.
"I am confident that the new officers who received promotions today will demonstrate leadership and skill on and off the fireground," said Fire Commissioner Von Essen. "Like the rest of the Department, they will focus their attention on the basics: protecting the lives and property of all New Yorkers by maintaining safe and rapid response to fires; protecting the health and safety of our city's firefighters; and increasing the Department's commitment to fire safety education and fire prevention."
Last year, fire fatalities in New York City reached their lowest level in 37 years and response time to structural fires dipped below five minutes in all five boroughs. And because of the introduction of bunker gear, burn injuries to firefighters have dropped dramatically, from 1,234 burn injuries in Fiscal Year 1993 to 483 in Fiscal Year 1997.