FDNY Weekend and Blessing of the Fleet at the Intrepid Museum
The Firefighter II fireboat gives a water display for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.
The Department celebrated FDNY Appreciation Weekend at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on July 16 and 17.
As part of the festivities – which included demonstrations, tours of apparatus and a cook-off – the Department held the 10th Annual Blessing of the Marine Fleet.
“It’s wonderful to see all our new boats here today,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. “There were many people, who worked very hard, to bring us to where we are today. This ceremony is the culmination of all that hard work.”
Chief of Department Kilduff thanked the crews of the fireboats, “They’ve stepped up to the plate and done an outstanding job.”
Among the fireboats blessed were two that have been commissioned in the last year.
The Bravest, a 65-foot boat that can travel at speeds up to 45-knots, was commissioned in May 2011; and the Firefighter II, a 140-foot, 500-ton boat, was commissioned in December 2010.
Also among those blessed was the Three Forty Three, which was commissioned at the Intrepid Museum in 2010, and the Marine 1 Alpha, whose crew performed a rescue on the Hudson the day before.
“This last year has been busy,” said Chief of the Marine Operations James Dalton. “Now this state-of-the-art fleet will keep people safe for years to come.”
President of the Intrepid Museum, Susan Marenoff, also said, “We are so happy to celebrate these unsung heroes of the FDNY.”
Also during the ceremony, the Department was joined by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, who asked Commissioner Cassano to name a black Labrador puppy in honor of the FDNY. He picked the name “Bravest” and gave her tags engraved with the name.
“To honor the memory of all members of the FDNY, we’re naming you honorary sponsors of this puppy,” said Wells Jones, CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, noting that many FDNY firefighters and EMS members have been strong supporters of the organization. “With the strength of New York’s Bravest behind her, we know she’ll do well.”
During FDNY Appreciation Weekend, members also performed rescue demonstration and gave tours of their apparatus on the Intrepid’s pier.
Eight teams of firefighters and EMS members also competed in the Battle of the Boroughs Cook-off on July 16. Four teams from Manhattan, two from the Bronx, one from Brooklyn and one from Staten Island competed in the annual event.
The team from Engine 35 in Manhattan, including head chef Firefighter Walter Lewis, took home first place honors.