FDNY Members Graduate from Combating Terrorism Leadership Course

The sixty-four graduates with Fire Commissioner Cassano and Congressman Peter King

On May 23rd, sixty-four FDNY members graduated from the West Point Combating Terrorism Leadership Course, which is a graduate level course that educates members about counterterrorism efforts.

Congressman Peter King, the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and a staunch supporter of the FDNY said, "This program provides the `tools, mechanism and knowledge to make sure we don’t have another September 11th."

Now in its eighth year, the Combating Terrorism Leadership Course is a partnership between the FDNY and the United States Military Academy at West Point. In this rigorous course, government officials, political scientists, military leaders and other experts in the field of terrorism work together to analyze why and how terrorism occurs and most importantly, how it can be prevented.

"This event brings home the importance of what we do to keep the city safe," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. "Every single person in this room knows the harsh reality of terrorism in the world we live in today.

"We become better in the first responder field through this course," said Chief of Department Edward Kilduff. "The commitment you have made to the Department makes us better and more prepared."

Graduating members consist of officers from Fire Operations, the Bureau of EMS, and the Bureau of Fire Investigations. Members learn how to better respond to potential terrorism risks and how to identify possibly suspicious situations.

"As alumni of counterterrorism, we expect you to take this back to the field," said Assistant Chief of Operations and Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness, Joseph Pfeifer.