MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN INTRODUCE HOT DOG,THE FIRE DOG, THE NEW FDNY MASCOT
Mayor Launches Fire Prevention Week Events In The Five Boroughs
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today joined firefighters at Engine 312 in Astoria, Queens to introduce the Department's new mascot Hot Dog, the Fire Dog, a lovable Dalmatian dressed in bunker gear and helmet, who will help spread the important message of fire safety to children throughout the City. The canine's debut kicked off the annual Fire Prevention Week, from October 4 through 11, during which the Fire Department will host a series of events throughout the City promoting fire safety education. Also in attendance were Hot Dog's colleagues Smokey, the mascot of Engine 312, and Hooper the Dog.
"I want to take this opportunity to welcome Hot Dog, the Fire Dog to the New York City Fire Department," said Mayor Giuliani. "His 'nose' for safety, his amicable personality and strong commitment to teach our children about the dangers of fires will be invaluable in protecting the lives of our citizens. I also want to thank all the children, including our winner, Michelle Cordato of Staten Island, for participating in the contest to name the new Fire Department's mascot. And, of course, I must recognize Engine 312's mascot Smokey, and Hooper the Dog for their loyalty to the Fire Department where they have served honorably for many years.
"Our City is safer, in part, because of the Fire Department's efforts to teach us all about the importance of fire safety and fire prevention," said Mayor Giuliani. "Last year, the City experienced the fewest number of fire-related deaths in 37 years, an indication that the Department is responding quickly and professionally to fire and medical emergencies. The introduction of bunker gear in 1994 has also led to 70 percent fewer serious burns and injuries to firefighters, and in fact, later this week at our annual Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, we will commemorate the fact that, in the past year, not a single firefighter lost his life in the line of duty."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Too often children are the victims of fire and we need a creative approach to reach out to this vulnerable sector of our population. Hot Dog will become an integral part of the Fire Department's fire safety and education program which targets children. Last year we established Fire Safety Houses which demonstrate the dangers of fire in and around the home. Our mascot will expand our efforts to reach out to children and others to understand both the precautionary and planning strategies regarding fire safety."
Other efforts by the Department to teach fire safety rules to children include the annual fire safety poster contest, two mobile Fire Safety Houses, which travel to schools and other sites to teach children about hazards in the home, and visits by uniformed firefighters to schools to give lectures.
The Mayor also added that on October 9, he and Fire Commissioner Von Essen will cut the ribbon to officially open the new FDNY headquarters located in the Metro Tech Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
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