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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2002
PR-066-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA ACCEPT FIRST REPLACEMENT FIRE TRUCK

Ladder 10 Receives New Ladder Truck


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today accepted delivery of the first truck ordered by the New York City Fire Department to replace those lost during the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The Seagrave 100-foot aerial ladder truck includes a mural depicting an American Flag and will be commissioned to Ladder Company 10. Ladder Company 10 and Engine 10, which lost four firefighters in addition to their vehicles on September 11th, had operated out of the 124 Liberty Street Firehouse, across from the World Trade Center site. The ceremony was held at the 42 South Street Firehouse where Ladder 10 is temporarily housed with Engine 4/Ladder 15 until the Liberty Street Firehouse, damaged on September 11th, is repaired.

"Today is another step in our recovery from the September 11th terrorist attacks," Mayor Bloomberg said. "We have begun to rebuild the Fire Department from a personnel level by training a new class of recruits. But rebuilding also means replacing equipment and repairing damaged firehouses, both of which we are in the midst of doing. The Fire Department may never feel whole again to those who lost colleagues and loved ones, but we have an obligation to supply our bravest with the best equipment we can so that they can return home safely after each shift."

"On September 11th, Ladder 10 and Engine 10 were on the front-line for the Department and the City of New York," said Commissioner Scoppetta. "It is only fitting that the first replacement vehicle specially ordered by the Department after the attacks go to their firehouse and the men and women who serve Lower Manhattan."

"We are committed to helping the City and State of New York restore the New York Fire Department to its full capacity as quickly as possible," said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Joe M. Allbaugh. "New York's Bravest deserve - and have - the full support of the American people as the Department recovers from its tragic losses of September 11."

During the attacks on the World Trade Center, 91 Fire Department vehicles were destroyed, including 18 engines, 15 ladder trucks, and 5 ambulances. FEMA will fund the replacement of all vehicles and equipment destroyed on September 11th at an estimated cost of $62 million.

Ladder 10 and Engine 10 lost four firefighters on September 11th: Lieutenant Gregg Atlas, Firefighter Jeffrey Olsen, Firefighter Paul Pansini, and Firefighter Sean Tallon. The firehouse sustained considerable damage during the collapse of both towers. There was extensive damage to the roof and the brick façade, with the HVAC system and most of the windows and doors being destroyed.

Renovations to the firehouse will be completed in the fall of 2002. Until the repairs are completed, Ladder 10 will be housed in the quarters of Engine 4/Ladder 15 and Engine 10 will operate out of the100 Duane Street Firehouse in the quarters of Engine 7/Ladder 1.

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jerry Russo
(212) 788-2958
Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY)
(718) 999-2056