Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"One of the things that makes New York the greatest city in the world is the fact that we have the greatest Fire Department in the world," Mayor Giuliani said. "We support our Fire Department and firefighters with the best equipment and protective gear available. But the mark of greatness for the Department is not just how many fires are put out, or how quickly fires are responded to -- the mark of true greatness is how many fires are prevented. Fire prevention is a top priority in our Fire Department and it should be equally important for every New Yorker."
"New Yorkers should focus on fire prevention and fire safety drills not just this week but all throughout the year," Commissioner Von Essen said. "We are especially pleased at the success of our poster design contest and we would like to congratulate the winner, Hans Villamil. Hans and thousands of students citywide are learning about the danger of fires and how they can be prevented. More importantly, children are learning important techniques to survive a household fire." Hans presented the Mayor and Fire Commissioner with signed copies of his award winning poster.
The Fire Prevention Expo is an annual event which highlights the Department's fire prevention techniques and educates New Yorkers about the hazard of fires and how they can be prevented. Several Fire Department rescue units were on hand demonstrating fire suppression and rescue techniques, including a high-angle rope rescue, a tower ladder rescue and a demonstration by the Department's Materials Unit. Hooper, the Fire Department's Fire Dog was also on hand to teach children how to "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!"
In addition to these traditional demonstrations, the Expo also featured a vehicle extrication and rope rescue demonstration. Free blood pressure screenings were available in the Major Emergency Response Vehicle, a truck used to provide medical treatment at large or prolonged operations.