#Fire Department New York

[rabbitcruiser]

International Firefighters Day

“The role of a firefighter in today’s society–be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defense force, aviation, motorsport, or other is one of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice–no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service, we fight together against one common enemy–fire–no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.” –LT JJ Edmondson, firefighter, and creator of Firefighters Day

Nobody could have put what it means to be a firefighter as well as this courageous woman did. Most of us would risk our lives for those we love—family members, friends, pets. But could you imagine risking severe injury or even death for someone whom you don’t know at all? Could you imagine going into a burning building to rescue a stranger, knowing you may not come out? Could you imagine climbing a tree in a burning forest just to save a defenseless animal too frightened to come down on its own? These are things firefighters do every day, and though we likely see them as acts of pure heroism, for firefighters, they’re just part of the job. Few people deserve to be celebrated as much as these heroic men and women do, so let’s all make sure to celebrate Firefighters Day in their honor!

The History of Firefighters Day The first organized professionals whose job it was to combat structural fires lived in Ancient Egypt–however, at the time, firefighters worked for private companies that provided their services only to those who could afford them. Later, in Ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus revolutionized firefighting by calling for the creation of a fire guard, called the Vigiles, that was trained, paid, and equipped by the state. Firefighters Day was created in 1999 after 5 firefighters died tragically during a wildfire in Australia when the direction of the wind changed suddenly and engulfed them in flames. It is celebrated on May 4th because that is Saint Florian’s day, and Saint Florian, who was said to be one of the first commanding firefighters of an actual Roman battalion and saved many lives, is the patron saint of firefighters.

How to Celebrate Firefighters Day There are many great ways to celebrate firefighters on this day. Most of all, this day is about showing our appreciation for their service, risks, and sacrifice, so find a way to make sure your local firefighters know how much you value them! As always, it’s the thought that counts and small gestures go a long way, so even bringing a cake down to the fire hall would be a nice thing to do. You could also consider donating money to one of the many firefighter charities out there, some of which help firefighters injured in the line of duty get the medical treatment they need and return to health.

Other firefighter charities help retired firefighters live comfortable lives after years of risks they took for others. You can also raise awareness about the dangers firefighters bravely face every day by wearing a red and blue ribbon—the colors of water and fire, respectively. Wearing a ribbon, baking a cake or donating a few dollars to a charity may not seem like particularly impressive gestures to you, but they will likely mean the world to those who work tirelessly for their communities. So show the firefighters of the world a little gratitude and celebrate Firefighters Day with us!

Source

[coachfortner1]

[dipperscavern]

was in the middle of sweating my balls off thinking about tonight’s ep when i saw this picture and my world stopped spinning

[forthepleasureofmylife]

New York City

Photo: Dieter Krehbiel

[tfgadgets]

Brooklyn rapper and firefighter Kaseem ‘Ka’ Ryan dies at 52

Brooklyn rapper, producer, and firefighter Kaseem ‘Ka’ Ryan passed away on Saturday at the age of 52. Kaseem ‘Ka’ Ryan, known for minimalist rap and dedication to his community, dies at 52, mourned by many.(Ka/Instagram) A post on his official Instagram account confirmed, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Kaseem Ryan (1972-2024), the rapper and producer known as Ka, who died…

[vertigoartgore]

Rescue Me's pilot (2004's Guts) aired 20 years ago. Feel old yet ?

[larryshapiro]

New York City FD - FDNY Engine 23

[afrotumble]

[ausetkmt]

Inside a dimly lit tunnel along a stretch of simulated subway track, one of the New York Fire Department’s new dogs showed off a few of its tricks. Lie down. Roll over. Stay.

But the most remarkable things that the two robotic dogs can do were mastered by real dogs long ago: jogging across rugged terrain, hopping over small obstacles and helping keep their masters out of harm’s way.

The department, which plans to deploy the robots in the months ahead, is the first fire agency in the country to purchase the 70-pound machines, which cost $75,000 each and are built and sold by Boston Dynamics, a robotics company.

The department plans to use the robots to aid in some of its most precarious search and rescue missions, which might help avoid the furious backlash that erupted when the New York Police Department began using the same technology.

The Police Department cut short its contract with Boston Dynamics last April after critics raised concerns about privacy, data collection, aggressive police tactics and the generally dystopian vibes the robot gave off as it trotted through a public housing development during a hostage situation.

Fire officials and robotics experts say the way the department plans to use the robots might help reshape the perception of their use for public safety purposes.

At the command of a human operator, the device can provide vital information in the midst of a calamitous event. It has the ability to descend deep underground after a steam leak to collect images and data about dangerous debris. It can also be deployed moments after a building collapse to gauge structural integrity or measure the concentration of toxic, flammable gasses like carbon monoxide to better inform firefighters responding to the scene.

The real-life scenarios in which the robots, known as Spot, will be used are far different from Hollywood depictions in which humanoid or animalistic machines often inflict damage and invoke fear, said Capt. Michael Leo from the Fire Department’s robotics unit.

“The TV industry and the movie industry are hurting us in some ways because they often show pictures of robots that are weaponized, and then people think that’s how all robots are,” Captain Leo said.

“Our whole mission is a lifesaving one,” he added. “That’s the core thing. These robots will save lives.”

In the Bronx, where 17 people were killed in an apartment fire earlier this year, using the robots to enter hazardous conditions could save the lives of firefighters and others, Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said.

“I look forward to a positive and productive conversation with F.D.N.Y. leaders to ensure these robotic ‘dogs’ are only being used on rare, specialized, occasions with a goal of protecting our residents and first responders,” Ms. Gibson said in a statement.

A Fire Department spokesman said the robots would only collect data on hazardous materials situations and added that department compliance officers had been trained on confidentiality rules. But Albert Fox Cahn, a lawyer who is the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed concerns about what data the Fire Department robots might collect, and how that data could be used in the future.

“When agencies buy these new systems, they always point to the best case scenario for use,” Mr. Cahn said. “And I agree, if it actually is used in ways that keeps firefighters safe, that would be great. But the history has always been that even if it’s first brought in for a compelling case, you get this creep where it’s used for more and more scenarios until it’s reaching areas where it just doesn’t feel justifiable.”

ImageCredit...Mostafa Bassim for The New York Times

Boston Dynamics said it first made its Spot robots commercially available for lease in 2019, and began selling them in 2020. The company predicts that it will have sold over 1,000 units by the end of this year, said Nikolas Noel, a company spokesman.

In that time, the company has worked to reverse the negative image of robots: Spot made a guest appearance last month on “The Tonight Show,” and recently had a cameo role in the first episode of “The Book of Boba Fett,” as a docile, sheeplike animal. The Fire Department also has plans to show the dog to school STEM programs across the city.

But concerns about privacy, surveillance and cybersecurity doomed the robots’ earlier rollout in New York.

The robots first came under scrutiny when the Police Department, responding to a home invasion, sent the dog in to determine whether anyone was still inside an apartment. More criticism followed after the robot was seen out with officers in the lobby of a public housing building in Manhattan.

At the time, John Miller, the Police Department’s deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, said the department had terminated its lease early because the device became a “target” for critics who he said used the robot to fuel debate over race and surveillance.

City Council members later introduced legislation to prohibit the Police Department from using or threatening to use any robot armed with a weapon. (That legislation did not pass, and weaponizing Spot is strictly against the company’s code of ethics, Mr. Noel said.)

Peter Asaro, the co-founder of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control and a spokesperson for the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, has worked with the United Nations for nearly a decade to ban the use of weaponized robots on a global scale.

For Professor Asaro, who is also a faculty member at the New School, more education and outreach are key — particularly when it comes to robotics and public safety.

“The rollout of Spot by the N.Y.P.D. was very poor,” he said. “They didn’t really explain to anybody what they had used it for; it just showed up. There’s also potentially good uses of robots by police — but you have to be very careful about keeping clear that it’s not weaponized, and that it’s not collecting surveillance.”

“There are always concerns over robots capturing imagery of tragic scenes, and you do want to see strong control of that information once it’s collected,” he added. “Other than that, I don’t really see any situations where the Fire Department could use this in a way that potentially hurts people.”

The Fire Department first turned its attention to ground robotics almost 10 years ago, when members began to explore how these devices could assist firefighters in the field.

But older models had significant shortcomings. The department tried out several ground robots before purchasing a promising machine in 2014 called Super Droid. The bulky, red robot had caterpillar tracks that propelled it forward or backward on bands of tread like those found on military tanks, and could be used to detect some hazardous materials.

Operators, however, quickly discovered it was too cumbersome to perform some basic functions well, like maneuvering up steep stairs or over large piles of rubble. The agency soon began searching for a replacement. By the summer of 2020, when robotics became a stand alone unit within the department, the team already had its eyes on Spot.

“It’s superior in every capacity. This is the most reliable technology of its kind out there,” said Captain Leo as he stood in between the three now-retired Super Droid robots — clunky compared to Spot’s sleek yellow-and-black frame.

While his unit often deploys drones in smoky conditions to capture aerial footage of a fire, Spot is designed to take on rarer, mostly non-fire related assignments like monitoring the air for an array of hazardous materials or traversing a subway tunnel where flying drones would stir up a swirl of dust, clouding its onboard cameras.

“It’s like every piece of equipment we have,” he said. “We hope to never, ever have to use it. But when we need it, it’s important that we have the right thing.”

[rabbitcruiser]

International Firefighters’ Day

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save our lives, loved ones, homes, and even forests and cities, so give them the thanks they deserve.

The role of a firefighter in today’s society–be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defense force, aviation, motorsport, or other is one of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice–no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service, we fight together against one common enemy–fire–no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak. -  LT JJ Edmondson, firefighter, and creator of Firefighters Day

Nobody could have put what it means to be a firefighter as well as this courageous woman did. Most of us would risk our lives for those we love—family members, friends, pets. But could you imagine risking severe injury or even death for someone whom you don’t know at all? Could you imagine going into a burning building to rescue a stranger, knowing you may not come out?

Could you imagine climbing a tree in a burning forest just to save a defenseless animal too frightened to come down on its own? These are things firefighters do every day, and though we likely see them as acts of pure heroism, for firefighters, they’re just part of the job. Few people deserve to be celebrated as much as these heroic men and women do, so let’s all make sure to celebrate Firefighters Day in their honor!

History of International Firefighters’ Day

The first organized professionals whose job it was to combat structural fires lived in Ancient Egypt–however, at the time, firefighters worked for private companies that provided their services only to those who could afford them. Later, in Ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus revolutionized firefighting by calling for the creation of a fire guard, called the Vigiles, that was trained, paid, and equipped by the state.

Firefighters Day was created in 1999 after 5 firefighters died tragically during a wildfire in Australia when the direction of the wind changed suddenly and engulfed them in flames. It is celebrated on May 4th because that is Saint Florian’s day, and Saint Florian, who was said to be one of the first commanding firefighters of an actual Roman battalion and saved many lives, is the patron saint of firefighters.

The incident that led to the creation of this date happened on the 2nd of December, 1998, in Linton Community, Australia. The event was so tragic that it shook the entire world. Linton is a populated area in Victoria, Australia, and firefighters at the time were tackling a massive bush fire. They called for mutual aid. This resulted in the Geelong West Fre Brigade coming to the scene. They did not know the tragedy and despair that was awaiting them.

Matthew Armstrong, Jason Thomas, Stuart Davidson, Chris Evans, and Garry Vredeveldt all loaded into a truck. They were sent to help extinguish the flames as part of a strike team. However, as they made their way into the hot zone, the wind switched direction suddenly, which resulted in the truck being engulfed in flames, with all five members losing their lives. It was an extremely tragic event, and it resulted in the birth of a day to celebrate firefighters and everything they do for us. After all many other firefighters have lost their lives in the field.

The symbol of International Firefighters’ Day

The International Firefighters’ Day has a significant symbol associated with it, and this is the blue and red ribbon. The ribbon is cut precisely to one cm in width and five cm in length, with the two different colors join at the top. Blue and red were selected by JJ Edmondson because of the symbolization associated with the colors. Blue is designed to represent water whereas the red represents fire. Not only this, but the two colors are also recognized around the world as a symbol for the emergency services. Therefore, it was decided that there was no better color choice!

The ribbon is typically worn on the fold of the fabric on a shirt, i.e. the lapel. However, it is not restricted to a certain spot. You can wear it wherever you feel appropriate, be it a different part of your shirt or your cap, for example. A lot of people also place them from their car mirrors or windows, as well as the trees in their garden. No matter whether you decide to place these ribbons, they represent a simple yet effective way of showing your support for firefighters all around the world.

How to celebrate International Firefighters’ Day

There are many great ways to celebrate firefighters on this day. Most of all, this day is about showing our appreciation for their service, risks, and sacrifice, so find a way to make sure your local firefighters know how much you value them! As always, it’s the thought that counts and small gestures go a long way, so even bringing a cake down to the fire hall would be a nice thing to do. You could also consider donating money to one of the many firefighter charities out there, some of which help firefighters injured in the line of duty get the medical treatment they need and return to health.

Other firefighter charities help retired firefighters live comfortable lives after years of risks they took for others. You can also raise awareness about the dangers firefighters bravely face every day by wearing a red and blue ribbon—the colors of water and fire, respectively. There are also a lot of different craft projects that you can enjoy on Firefighters Day that are based on the symbol of the day. Wearing a ribbon, baking a cake or donating a few dollars to a charity may not seem like particularly impressive gestures to you, but they will likely mean the world to those who work tirelessly for their communities.

You could also use this time to educate yourself about some of the heroic acts of firefighters, whether in your area or around the world. All you need to do is a quick search on the Internet and you will be able to read about some amazing heroic firefighter stories. This includes heroes who have risked their lives to save newborn babies from burning buildings, as well as the firefighters who have been involved in high-profile incidents that have happened around the world, with the tragic Grenfell Tower fire and the Australian bush fires being two of the most recent tragedies. Pay tribute to the amazing firefighters as well as those who have tragically lost their lives.

Show the firefighters of the world a little gratitude and celebrate Firefighters Day with us!

Source

[ijustwant2ride]

Motorcycle Movie Review: Florian's Knights

Saint Florian – the Patron Saint of Firefighters By the title of the movie, you can guess this is a film about a firefighter motorcycle club.  You would be right, but there is a lot more to it than just a motorcycle club movie.

Saint Florian – the Patron Saint of Firefighters By the title of the movie, you can guess this is a film about a firefighter motorcycle club.  You would be right, but there is a lot more to it than just a motorcycle club movie. This is a movie more about the mental health aspects of first responders and what they bring home after years of service.  How PTSD is impacting their lives and that of…

[trendynewsnow]

Trial Date Set for New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Corruption Charges

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is set to face trial on corruption charges on April 21, as announced by federal judge Dale E. Ho during a recent hearing. The judge also mentioned that he would later issue a ruling regarding a request from Mr. Adams’s legal team to dismiss one of the bribery charges against him. In a historic turn of events, Mr. Adams has become the first sitting mayor in…

[lovevalley45]

letting my friend convince me to try a pizza place nearby n this shit is open thurs-sat n has their facebook page listed as their website,,, this pizza is either gonna be so fire or so bad

[concertphotos]

Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger and Harold the Fireman Balloons at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by David Oppenheimer Via Flickr: Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger balloon and Harold the Fireman balloon at the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 27, 2014 - © 2023 David Oppenheimer - Performance Impressions photography archives - performanceimpressions.com

[fenrislorsrai]

Justice 40

Joe Biden is boring and often bad at tooting his own horn, but by god, he is good at process.

Justice 40 is simple but powerful application of that. its a shift in how the executive branch works. 40% of money from a bunch of existing programs should go to census tracts that are overburdened with pollution, at higher risk for climate change, and have been historically underserved.

The shorthand here is basically "communities that don't have enough internal resources to deal with long term problems". So yes, communities that had been redlined for decades, ones that have Superfund sites, ones that have high rates of asthma from air pollution.

and this is by census tract. Not city. census tract. So parts of New York City qualify... but other parts don't. And the city HAS to use the money in the targeted part. it doesn't go into the communal pool. it's for THAT tract specifically.

Also all land federally recognized as belonging to a Native American tribe and all Alaskan Native Villages qualify, specifically.

And again, this is for existing programs that are already running and have existing staff and budgets. They're supposed to prioritize grants and projects for those areas specifically. And that's everything from Department of Agriculture, to FEMA, to Labor, to Environmental Protection.

Does it instantly get rid of all the baked in racism from decades past? No, not even close. But it puts in a countermeasure that has a concrete and measurable goal to aim for rather than a nebulous "suck less." even if the administration changes, many of those changes will stick.

And as things improve, some tracts may come off the list! Some may go on that weren't there before!

You can see a map here. Blue highlighted tracts are "disadvantaged" so qualify for that extra assistance! Check and see if you live in one or part of your town does. Because if you've been hearing constantly "we can't afford to fix X problem..." and you're in that tract.... there's money available. For you. Build that sidewalk, fix those lead pipes, get that brush truck your volunteer fire department has been asking for.

And tell your local officials that! "did you look at Justice 40 for funding". And even if they're doing their best, particularly people in little towns.... being a government official isn't their full time job. They may have missed it. Just asking them about the program may suddenly open a world of possibilities.