Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 14, 1997

Release #547-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972,
Mike Regan (718) 694-2056(FDNY)


MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN ANNOUNCE 37 YEAR LOW IN CIVILIAN FIRE RELATED DEATHS IN NEW YORK CITY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Ladder Company 114 in Brooklyn and announced a 37- year low in the number of civilian fire related deaths in New York City. Last year's total of 149 represents the lowest number of civilian fire-related deaths in New York City since 1959 when there were 124.

"Today, we stand before Ladder Company 114 as it celebrates its 100th anniversary," Mayor Giuliani said. "It is truly remarkable to see what change the Department has undergone in a century's time. Ladder Company 114, once home to a horsedrawn fire pumper, now houses state-of-the-art firefighting equipment; while firefighters who once wore rubber rain coats now wear full bunker gear. While there are many differences between today's Fire Department and the Department of a century ago, there will always be a common bond of bravery and heroism that unites all firefighters. As those who served so bravely in years past, the firefighters of today fearlessly answer the call to duty day in and day out.

"Last year, thanks to the dedication and commitment of the men and women of the Fire Department, civilian fire fatalities fell to a 37-year low," the Mayor continued. "Calendar year 1996 saw the fewest fire deaths since Dwight Eisenhower was President in 1959. This trend continues as civilian fire fatalities have fallen by 12 percent since January 1997 and by 23 percent over the last four years. Since the introduction of bunker gear in 1994, serious burns and injuries to firefighters have been reduced by 70 percent. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the members of the world's greatest fire department for their brave and courageous service to the City."

Commissioner Von Essen said, "The last four years have seen numerous initiatives by the Giuliani administration that have played a vital role in saving the lives of countless New Yorkers. In May of 1994 Bunker Gear was issued to all members of the New York City Fire Department, affording the members of the department the protection and security they need to rescue victims trapped in fires. Subsequently, 1996 saw the fewest amount of civilian fire deaths since 1959, as well as a 70 percent reduction in serious burns to Firefighters. The introduction of the Certified First Responder Program (CFR-D) has furnished firefighters with basic medical training and defibrillators. This lifesaving equipment has enabled firefighters to provide New Yorkers with a vital link in the chain of survival -early defibrillation."

Also included in the lifesaving initiatives of the Giuliani administration is the Fatal Fire Team/Smoke Detector Give-Away Program through which the Fire Department distributes smoke detectors to one- and two-family homes.

The Fire Department has also been a key participant in the Mayor's Quality-of-Life Nightclub Enforcement Task Force, the multi-agency group that targeted 71 nightclubs in Brooklyn and Queens over the past year. The Task Force inspects these establishments to ensure that all City and State fire regulations are adhered to. The Task Force hopes to prevent another tragedy like the 1990 fire at the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx in which 87 people died.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of a statement by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) which released a preliminary report on August 19, 1997, stating that in 1996 civilian fire related deaths in the United States had increased for the second year in a row.

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