Printer Friendly Format




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2003
PR- 030-03
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA PRESIDE OVER FDNY PROMOTIONS CEREMONY

Mayor and Commissioner Promote 254 Members of FDNY

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today presided over a promotion ceremony for the New York City Fire Department. The ceremony, one of the largest in the Fire Department's recent history, included the promotion of 254 members of the FDNY.  The recipients’ families and friends joined the Mayor and Commissioner at the ceremony, which was held at the Colden Center on the grounds of Queens College.

“Last year, the FDNY completed one of the most remarkable years in its long and extraordinary history,” Mayor Bloomberg said.  “Amidst trying circumstances, New York’s Bravest helped ensure that New York is the nation’s safest large City, preventing and fighting fires and protecting and saving the lives of their fellow New Yorkers.  Today, I congratulate and thank you for your bravery, professionalism, and dedication, and am confident that you will continue to perform at a superb level in your new commands.”

“You and your colleagues are the reason this continues to be the greatest Fire Department in the world,” Commissioner Scoppetta said.  “Each and every one of you has exhibited tremendous commitment to each other, to this Department and to this city. You will be the source of our greatness for many years to come.”

Today’s promotion ceremony was one of the largest in recent history and included 254 members from both the Fire and EMS services.  The Mayor and Commissioner promoted 15 members of the FDNY to the rank of Battalion Chief, 88 to Captain, and 110 to Lieutenant from the Fire service.  The Mayor and Commissioner also promoted two members to the rank of Division Chief, five to Deputy Chief, seven to Captain, and 27 to Lieutenant from the EMS service.

In 2002, the Fire Department’s response time to fires decreased by 3 seconds, falling to 4:13 from 4:16 in 2001.  In addition, the total number of civilian fire fatalities was 98, the fewest number of deaths due to fire since 1927, when there were 96.  Structural fires declined by 5%, reaching their lowest rate since 1960, and non-structural fires fell by 16%, their lowest rate since 1958.  Finally, the FDNY continued to rebuild its ranks by hiring over 900 new firefighters in 2002.


 

www.nyc.gov

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