***MEDIA ADVISORY***

COMMISSIONER SCOPPETTA AND NEW YORK BOARD OF RABBIS SHARE FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR PASSOVER HOLIDAY

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and FDNY Chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik will discuss Passover fire safety tips tomorrow at noon at the quarters of Engine Co. 24 & Ladder Co. 5, at 227 Sixth Ave. in Manhattan. The event will include a demonstration of how to safely carry out the Passover ritual of burning leavened bread at the start of the holiday.

Tomorrow's event is intended to educate Passover observers so that they do not create hazardous conditions while following the religious obligations of the holiday. In 2004, five people were seriously burned when a man poured paint thinner on a ceremonial fire in Borough Park, Brooklyn and in 2005, three children from Williamsburg, Brooklyn died in a fire caused by stovetop burners left on during the holiday.

For a list of Passover fire safety tips, visit www.nybr.org/Passover_Burn_Prevention_Flyer.pdf and for general fire safety information, visit www.nyc.gov/fdny and click the “Safety & Health” link.

*** Photo op ***

Press Contact: Francis X. Gribbon & Steve Ritea, (FDNY) (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny