Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, October 12, 2000

Release #395-00

 
Contact: Michael Anton/Julie Caudell 212/788-2958
  Frank Gribbon, FDNY 718/999-2056

MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN
ATTEND GRAND OPENING OF "FIRE ZONE" AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER

Mark Beginning of "National Fire Prevention Week"

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today presided at the grand opening of "Fire Zone", a state-of-the-art facility that combines the excitement and drama of firefighting with an original and highly creative approach to teaching the tenets of fire safety. The grand opening of Fire Zone is the New York City Fire Department's central event in marking National Fire Prevention Week.

Fire Zone is the only Fire Safety Education Experience of its kind - an immersive experience in which students and visitors will learn about the power of fire, the causes, and prevention strategies through a variety of multi-media and hands-on exhibits. Fire Zone was designed by the New York City Fire Department and the Fire Safety Education Fund. The space for Fire Zone in 50 Rockefeller Center was donated by Tishman Speyer Properties, a long-time supporter of FDNY education programs in the community. Support for the Fire Zone project came from several different corporations as well as the FDNY's Fire Safety Education Fund.

"I am very excited to be with you today as we officially open the Fire Zone," said Mayor Giuliani. "The Fire Department, in conjunction with the Fire Safety Education Fund has worked hard to develop this $2.5 million dollar exhibit that will be a tremendous resource for New Yorkers. Educating children about the dangers of fire is tremendously important, so it is wonderful that classes of children from all over the City and region will
use this exhibit every day. And by locating the Fire Zone right here in Rockefeller Center, it will educate not only thousands of New Yorkers every week, but also people from all around the world."

"This never before seen multi-media experience will bring our fire safety efforts to a whole new level of education and outreach," said Commissioner Von Essen. "Seeing, hearing and experiencing the power, fury and destructive capabilities of fire and realizing that you can play an important role in prevention will empower our students and visitors in an unprecedented way."

"We are very proud to provide the means by which a remarkable educational facility like this can be created," said Jerry I. Speyer, President & CEO of Tishman Speyer Properties, managing partner of Rockefeller Center. "Rockefeller Center and Tishman Speyer are honored to be a part of this public/private endeavor with the City of New York and the Fire Department in their on going heroic mission to save lives."

National Fire Prevention Week is an annual event which is held to promote fire safety and will include numerous exhibits and educational activities for people of all ages. Various displays will be held at Rockefeller Center on Thursday, October 12, and events will be held throughout the city this week.

 

www.nyc.gov


Go to Press Releases | Mayoral Archives | Mayor's Office | NYC.gov Home Page
Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Statement | Site Map