Simulating a car fire in a tunnel, the FDNY conducts Rebreather Drill with highly trained units

May 22, 2025

The FDNY Special Operations Command (SOC), along with field units and partner agencies, conducted a large-scale Rebreather Drill on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, simulating a car fire in the East New York Tunnel in Brooklyn.

These training drills, which happen twice a year, simulate real-world scenarios to help members maintain operational readiness in low-visibility, high-risk environments.

The most recent drill featured FDNY’s Rebreather Unit, as well as members from SOC and field teams. Representatives from the Department of Transportation, the MTA, the Jersey City Fire Department and North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue were also involved in the drill.

The scenarios test strategies in fire suppression, communications, navigation, and inter-agency coordination under extreme conditions.