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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 354-04
December 20, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA UNVEIL NEW MOBILE COMMAND CENTER FUNDED BY BRONX COUNCILWOMAN MADELINE T. PROVENZANO

State-of-the-Art Command Vehicle will be Deployed Throughout the Bronx

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today unveiled a new state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center (MCC) funded by Bronx Councilwoman Madeline T. Provenzano.  The $570,000 MCC has a wide range of capabilities including full-scale inter-agency communication and will be deployed throughout the Bronx and will serve as the FDNY’s command post at large-scale, long-duration incidents, acting as a central point of contact for Fire and other City agencies.  Councilwoman Provenzano contributed $400,000 to purchase the vehicle with the FDNY Fire Safety Education fund contributing the remaining amount. The MCC was unveiled today at the FDNY Bronx Borough Command in Throgs Neck section of the Bronx.

“This new state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center will be a key part of the Fire Departments operations throughout the Bronx and is an important step in upgrading its technological abilities and equipment,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Our Administration remains committed to providing our firefighters with the most modern equipment available in order to keep New Yorkers as safe as possible. I would like to thank Councilwoman Provenzano for her ongoing support of the FDNY.”

“The Fire Department places a high priority on upgrading our technology and equipment. Providing our members with the most advanced resources will help ensure the safety of our members as well as the public,” said Commissioner Scoppetta. “Through the generosity of Councilwoman Provenzano, we are fortunate to add a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center to our fleet. This command vehicle will play a central role in coordinating our operations and managing our resources at any large-scale emergency that occurs in the Bronx or citywide.”

“I am pleased to have been able to fund this Mobile Command Unit for the FDNY in light of these troubled times of heightened security and greater potential for emergency situations,” said Councilwoman Provezano.  “This unit will be available at all times to serve our City and more specifically, the people of the Bronx. It’s an invaluable resource and a critical part of helping keep New Yorkers safe.”

Following recommendations from the McKinsey Study (which provided a comprehensive review of Fire Department operations on 9/11), the MCC is equipped with the latest communications technology available including the JPS ACU-1000 radio system – which allows for interoperability between the Fire Department and the Police Department as well as other various agencies. Communications enhancements also include the ability to access a video link to NYPD helicopters. In addition, the MCC is able to transmit a live video and data feed to the Fire Department Operations Center (FDOC) located at FDNY Headquarters in Downtown Brooklyn.  

The vehicle, which measures 37 ½ feet in length and 8 feet in width, has approximately 300 square feet of space, including workstations for communications personnel and tactical officers. It is equipped with four external surveillance cameras and a 42-foot pneumatic mast with camera. The MCC is powered by two 12,000-watt generators and includes a 6,000-watt pneumatic light tower.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958



GENERAL CONTACT:

Francis X. Gribbon   (Fire Department)
(718) 999-2056


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