Issuu

MyFDNY NEWS

F E BR UA RY 2 0 2 4 FIRE COMMISSIONER Laura Kavanagh FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Joseph Pfeifer CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT John J. Hodgens

We Are FDNY

Meet Fire Protection Inspector Gonganlou Newenle Page 4

SCAN ME

FDNY warns that lithium-ion batteries are now a leading cause of fires and fire deaths in New York City On Feb. 2, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and FDNY officials discussed concerns around lithium-ion batteries at a City Hall public safety briefing. “I want to reinforce, while this is happening here in New York City and we’ve been leading the charge, as New York City always does, this is a national problem,” explained Commissioner Kavanagh. Lithium-ion batteries caused zero deaths only a few years ago but are now a leading cause of fire and fire deaths in New York City. “We would encourage the public if you do see a situation that you feel is unsafe, call 311, and we pledge that we will get out there within 12 hours to inspect that location,” said Chief Fire Marshal Daniel E. Flynn. “There are three critical areas that we will continue to fight for—additional More on Page 2

Spotlight

FDNY Leadership field questions at two Department Town Halls Page 2

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh presides at Fire Prevention Inspection Graduation Ceremony On Jan. 25, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh presided at the Fire Prevention Inspection graduation ceremony at the Department's Fire Academy. Forty-nine probationary Fire Protection inspectors graduated. More on Page 2

plus Applause

FDNY EMS longest-serving member celebrates 50th anniversary Page 3

. MyFDNY Dashboard

Page 2

. Podcast Highlights

Page 4

. The Wrap

Page 4

...

myfdny dashboard MyFDNY PORTAL

FDNY warns that lithium-ion batteries are now a leading cause of fires and fire deaths in New York City Continued from Page 1

Access the MyFDNY SCAN ME Portal by logging on with your single signon (SSO) credentials. If you experience technical difficulties with SSO or multifactor authentication (MFA), call the BTDS help desk at 718-9992611 or email BTDS@fdny.nyc.gov. The FDNY Insider is now MyFDNY News! This monthly publication will be available in print and online.

regulation, additional education and enforcement. We are determined to lead the country on this issue,” added Commissioner Kavanagh. n

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh presides at Fire Prevention Inspection Graduation Ceremony Continued from Page 1 “They do critical behind-thescenes work to ensure the safety of our City and its residents. They are the first line of defense to make sure things are done correctly. They identify fire and life safety hazards in schools, businesses, apartments and other establishments throughout the City,” said Commissioner Kavanagh. The inaugural Assistant Chief Ronald R. Spadafora Award was given to Probationary Fire Protection Inspector Vanessa Guerra for academic excellence. Chief Spadafora was a tireless crusader

for the FDNY, holding many positions before his appointment as Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Probationary Fire Protection Inspector Shaown Choudhury was given the Most Valuable Proby Award. “Our fire inspectors have many more months of learning as they rotate in and out different units, and when they’ve completed those rotations, they will be even better than they are today,” said Chief of Fire Prevention Anthony Saccavino. “I am proud to welcome our graduates into the best fire department in the world.” n

FDNY Leadership field questions at two Department Town Halls

MyFDNY CALENDAR

To increase communication and awareness, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, organized and facilitated two town hall events for civilian and Fire Prevention personnel. A town hall was held Jan. 12 at FDNY Headquarters in the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium and Jan. 16 at Fleet Services in Long Island City. All Department members were welcome to attend and bring their questions, comments and concerns to Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, First Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer, Deputy Commissioner of Human Capital Barbara Dannenberg and several other senior leaders. More than 200 members of the FDNY attended each of the

town hall events and initiated conversations covering a wide rage of interests, from Fire Prevention operations and questions about improving on job safety to addressing the need for staffing organization wide. FDNY staff and Commissioner Kavanagh sought to share their most salient insights into the various subject areas participants brought to the table and stressed the need for increased communication, transparency and belonging among the entire workforce. “We appreciate that so many of you participated, and the takeaways are many: We will have leadership training, educational opportunities and increased transparency for all our members,” said Commissioner Kavanagh. n

applause

(1) On Jan. 17, members of PSAC 2 gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lieutenant Roy David. As the FDNY EMS longest-serving member, Lt. David embarked on his career in the Bronx in 1974. (2) Congratulations to FDNY Assistant Commissioner Communications Gerald Neville, who retired after 54 years with the Department. The FDNY held a walkout ceremony to thank him for his service. (3) Family and friends of Firefighter William “Billy” Moon gathered at Engine 275, Ladder 133 to honor his memory with a plaque dedication ceremony. Firefighter Moon, a 21-year veteran of the Department, spent nearly 20 years at Ladder 133 serving the Jamaica, Queens community before he transferred to Rescue 2. (4) Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and other FDNY members joined fire departments from the tri-state area, industry partners and elected officials at the Operation 7 Save a Life breakfast. You can catch Operation 7 Save a Life on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. on WABC. (5) The family of FDNY Lieutenant Chris Raguso presented the family of fallen firefighter Mark Batista with a donation to help fund a foundation formed in his honor, Kingdom Closer. The foundation collects and distributes food, medicine and other necessities to children and families in underprivileged parts of the world. Lt. Chris Raguso, a member of the United States Air Force, was killed in action while on a mission in 2018. The foundation formed in his memory, 39 & One, Inc., supports a number of charities. Batista, of Engine 226, died in 2023 saving his daughter from drowning. (6) Captain Robert Wind and Firefighters Matthew Newman and Robert Hughes of Ladder 125 located and rescued an unconscious victim from a house fire in Queens on Jan. 13. FDNY EMTs Patrick O’Brien and Andrew Sheppard from the Queens Tactical Response Group, along with paramedics from New York Presbyterian Hospital, immediately initiated lifesaving medical interventions and transported the patient to a local hospital.

We Are FDNY

A weekend of service

Meet Fire Protection Inspector Gonganlou Newenle 1. What is your name and title? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities? My name is Gonganlou Newenle. I am a fire prevention inspector, and I have been on the job since April 2022. Currently, I work with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Each unit is different, but our main focus is learning fire code, having an understanding of required reporting and documentation, and ensuring that locations are up to code. Most of the sites we visit are residential, but every now and then we’ll visit a commercial property. We’ll meet with a contact who’s tasked with testing a building’s fire system. Usually, the building owner or superintendent is there. We help ensure things are working (or not), finish the necessary paperwork and then move to the next location. We are here to make sure that all systems are up to code and safe.

SCAN ME

2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY? At my last job, I was a fire life safety director. I felt like I could do much more and wanted to become more knowledgeable, but didn’t know how. There was a situation where I came across some fire inspectors and took the opportunity to ask questions about how they got their jobs. I was told, “What you’re doing is on a smaller scale, barely touching the surfacesurface. ... There'sThere’s a lot more to it.” They helped me understand what was needed, and when I had an opportunity to take the necessary test, I passed and was very excited to join as an inspector at FDNY. 3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY? So far, my most memorable moments have been with my classmates: learning fire code, bonding and cracking jokes, and working with our teachers (specifically Chief Kaufmann and Chief Martinez). Learning has been much more enjoyable because I’ve been able to do it with these folks.

The FDNY, in collaboration with Hunger-Free America and the FDNY Foundation, commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by organizing and facilitating the second annual MLK Jr. Weekend of Service Jan. 13–15. Inspired by the success of last year’s event, the Department collaborated to uphold Dr. King Jr.'s vision of community support and volunteerism. Referenced as “a day on,” as opposed to a “holiday off,” the event is geared toward amplifying opportunities to spend the day—or entire weekend— to give back to community-based organizations and cultural centers that need additional support. FDNY members, both uniformed and civilian—as well as their families and friends—were invited to participate in service events across the five boroughs. The events included constructing hygiene kits for the underserved, feeding the homeless around the Metro-NYC area, creating a mural—and other artistic expressions—for a community garden in Brooklyn and a variety of tasks supporting asylum seekers in NYC struggling to afford essential supplies and day-to-day necessities. Participants also volunteered within their own networks and among their own communities. The event was organized by the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO). n

podcast highlights

4. What does “We Are FDNY” mean to you? “We Are FDNY” reminds me that regardless of where you are in the organization, our main priority is ensuring the safety of New York City and making sure that our people are safe while in the field saving lives as well as preventing emergencies. 5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)? My superpower is a drive to constantly be better. As a newer member, I’m always wanting to learn and grow. Sometimes I find myself fixating on my tasks so I can master them. 6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY? My role as an inspector is to ensure that sites are much more safe and prepared to handle an emergency than when I first arrived. My team upholds the safety of NYC and its people first and foremost. n

In Studio with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh

“I can’t imagine where I’d be in my career, if not for my mentor.”

Throwback FDNY to 1898: The Greater City of New York is consolidated. In 1907, the FDNY Marine Division is formed. And in 1938, Doctor Ernest Stillman is sworn in as an honorary medical officer.

THE WRAP Remembering Fallen Heroes In January, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and other FDNY members attended a ribbon cutting at a United States Marine Corps facility dedicated to the lives of fallen Marines who also served in the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority Police Department and New York State Police. Remembered were heroes like USMC Staff Sergeant and FDNY Firefighter Christopher Slutman, killed by an IED while on active duty in Afghanistan on April 8, 2019, and Marine and Firefighter Sean Tallon of Ladder 10/Engine 10, who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001. n

Get the latest from Mayor Eric Adams directly in your inbox! Sign up at nyc.gov/hearfromeric

SCAN ME

On Jan. 28, FDNY's basketball team participated in "The Battle at the Barclays," taking on the NYPD. It was a nail biter, with both sides fighting for every point. In the end, the Finest prevailed, 65-59. n