New York Volunteer Firefighters Housewatch Page

08/16/2025

NEED 1 NYS LICENSED EMT FOR AMATEUR WRESTLING EVENT. 1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P. M. AT KIPPS BAY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB 1930 RANDALL AVENUE, BRONX NY 10473.
PLEASE CONTACT MR. MICHAEL EAGLE OF EMT SOLOUTIONS AT
(917) 968-9471. CASH PAID IN HAND AT END OF SHIFT.

08/12/2025

Courtesy of USEmergAlerts.Net

Steel Mill Explosion
400 State Street
Clairton, PA 56557

SITUATION REPORT
Incident: Explosion & Mass Casualty Incident – Claritin, Pennsylvania US Steel Plant
Date: August 11, 2025
Time of Incident: 10:30 AM
Report Time: 7:00 PM

Summary:
At approximately 10:30 AM, an explosion occurred at the US Steel Plant in Claritin, PA, resulting in a mass casualty incident with over 10 injuries, entrapment and 2 fatalities. Local emergency services, mutual aid crews, and disaster relief partners such as EDS received a request for support At 11:02 AM. EDS crews arrived on scene at 11:27 AM and immediately began operations in coordination with first responders and other agencies.

Current Operations:
EDS crews are providing cold beverages, hot meals, snacks, and emergency rehab support for first responders and recovery crews.

Services & Distribution to Date:

Bottled Water: 562 bottles distributed

Gatorade: 874 bottles distributed

Hot Meals: 350 meals served

Snacks: Ongoing distribution to responders

Food Donations Provided By:

Fellini’s Pizzeria – Elizabeth, PA

Primanti Brothers – Mount Lebanon, PA

McDonald’s - Pittsburgh PA
Coordination:

EDS personnel remain embedded at the rehab sector, operating alongside fire, EMS, and law enforcement partners to ensure hydration, nutrition, and rest for emergency crews actively working in hazardous conditions.

Next Steps / Continuing Operations:

Continue food and beverage distribution throughout the operational period

Monitor responder health and hydration levels in the rehab area

Maintain liaison with Incident Command for updated needs

Prepare for additional food service if incident extends into the evening

Point of Contact:
LT. Thomas Perez – Salvation Army Washington County Emergency Disaster Services
(412) 443-1258

08/09/2025

Courtesy of

The 2025 FDNY Foundation Dinner is on Thursday, September 4, and trust us—you don’t want to miss this.
📍 Location: FDNY Fire Training Academy, Randall’s Island
🎉 Honoring: Adena T. Friedman, Chair & CEO of Nasdaq
🔥 Why it matters: Because you are supporting the greatest fire department in the world
Here’s how you can support the FDNY:
Join us: Purchase tickets or reserve a table.
Place a journal ad: Support the FDNY or our honoree.
Make a donation: Every dollar helps the FDNY save more lives and protect property.

07/31/2025

Courtesy of FDNY Newsletter

Welcome to the MyFDNY Newsletter for July 2025.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announces first lithium-ion battery fire death in New York City in 2025: 'These fires are treacherous'
The FDNY is urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant about lithium-ion battery safety following a fire in Queens on July 4 that killed a 76-year-old woman, marking the first fatality caused by a lithium-ion battery in 2025 in New York City.

On July 8, FDNY Commissioner Tucker provided an update on the 2-alarm fire, which occurred inside a pizza shop. The woman was using the restroom inside the pizzeria when the battery on an e-bike inside exploded. The woman was transported to a hospital, where she later died.

"We are working so hard every day in the FDNY to message that e-mobility devices do not belong inside," Commissioner Tucker said. "You cannot charge them inside, and you must buy certified UL batteries. These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly. They are vert hot."
The FDNY reminds New Yorkers to charge and store lithium-ion batteries and micromobility devices outside, wherever possible.

READ MORE: Safety Tips For Lithium-Ion Batteries

FDNY and FDNY Foundation launch the 2026 Calendar of Heroes
The FDNY and the FDNY Foundation launched the 2026 Calendar of Heroes on June 26 at a kickoff event at One Vanderbilt in Manhattan. Proceeds from the calendar directly support the FDNY Foundation's lifesaving mission to enhance fire and life safety education, training initiatives and resources for the FDNY.

The iconic calendar, in partnership with Firehouse Subs, showcases some of the FDNY's bravest and most dedicated first responders. This year, 25 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics are included in the calendar, which is back for the first time since 2021.

A $25 donation to the FDNY Foundation secures your copy of the 2026 Calendar of Heroes. It is available now at FDNYShop.com.

FDNY's newest probationary EMTs graduate at ceremony in Brooklyn
The FDNY held a graduation ceremony on June 17 for the first class of 2025 probationary emergency medical technicians. The event was held at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn.

The class trained for 16 weeks at the EMS Academy at Fort Totten. Training skills included CPR; patient medical and trauma assessments; oxygen and ventilation skills; management of hypotension and fractures; spinal immobilization and emergency childbirth; and emergency vehicle operation. The probationary EMTs were assigned to units throughout New York City.

WATCH: Check out a replay of the graduation livestream and see our photo gallery

Other FDNY News
Fourth of July: Millions watched as the skies above the East River lit up for the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show. From dispatchers and the Bureau of Fire Prevention to the marine units and fire marshals, the FDNY's members helped keep New York City safe during the Fourth of July holiday. Check out photos here.
DUCKLINGS RESCUED! On July 4, members from Engine 151 helped rescue eight ducklings that fell through a grate into a storm drain on Staten Island. A civilian reported the mishap to firefighters, who used a portable ladder to reach the ducklings. Happily, all of the ducklings were reunited with their mother.
The FDNY held a graduation ceremony for Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety Class of 2025 on June 27. The 2025 class is the 18th to graduate from the FDNY High School. Watch the livestream of the graduation and check out a photo gallery.
We Are FDNY: Meet Firefighter David Novick, of Ladder 121. He joined the FDNY in 2017. "I love helping people," Firefighter Novick said. "I enjoy being a part of a community where I can make a difference and aid people in need. It is an incredible and thrilling undertaking when we can assist someone in severe distress and transform their situation into a positive outcome."

(The fatal fire took place July 4 inside a pizzeria in Queens.)

07/31/2025

Courtesy of FirefighterCloseCalls.Com

All,

A longtime friend and Brother Firefighter of mine has been told (by 3 oncologists) that he does not have much time left after dealing with cancer. He is now in home hospice receiving their services with no more medical treatment recommended or chosen.

Dave Cook is 61 years old and a Firefighter, Officer and ECC shift commander starting in 1978. His home is the Manatee/Sarasota area of Florida. He had since retired and then started a new career as the emergency manager and hazmat coordinator for Suburban Propane, covering the entire Southeast US. Many of you in that region have probably met Dave.

I am asking that if you can consider assisting in any way, I would really appreciate it. Dave does have insurance, but the deductibles and non-covered costs are overwhelming, otherwise I would not be asking you for your assistance. Nor would his family and him have asked - as you can probably understand.

Thank you for your consideration.

DETAILS & LINK HERE:

https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/david-cook-ljcyle

Please consider making a donation and sharing this link with Brothers & Sisters — anyone that may be able to spare a couple of bucks. Thanks so much.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 7-30-2025-1125 hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Firefighter Close Calls is the home of the Secret List. The worlds most visited website focused exclusively on firefighter survival. FireFighter Close Calls is part of the FireCompanies.com network of sites.

07/25/2025

Courtesy of

CAL FIRE Butte Unit officers arrested a man for recklessly causing a fire in South Oroville on Thursday. Big thanks to

for their quick response, and to local residents for identifying the suspect.

07/25/2025

Courtesy of Cleveland19News.Com

9-year-old drowns at Hersheypark’s water park, officials say
HERSHEY, Pa. (Gray News) – A 9-year-old child drowned at the Hersheypark amusement park in Pennsylvania on Thursday, according to park officials.

In a statement, John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, confirmed the child’s death at The Boardwalk water park at Hersheypark.

“From the moment our lifeguard team recognized that a child was in distress, they performed an immediate rescue, followed by continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts by our lifeguards, on-site first responders and medical personnel,” Lawn said in a statement.
Lawn said the 9-year-old was taken to the hospital where “despite everyone’s tireless efforts, the child did not recover.”
Officials did not say where in the water park the drowning happened.

Out of respect for the family’s privacy, further details would not be released at this time, officials said.
“Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family. We extend our deepest condolences for their loss,” Lawn said in his statement.
Park officials said they will conduct a thorough internal review and cooperate fully with authorities.

(Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is pictured here in 2013.)(MGN | Paulo Ordoveza / CC BY 2.0 via MGN)

07/24/2025

Courtesy of

Last Saturday, FDNY officials, including First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra and Chief of EMS Michael Fields, attended the National EMS Weekend of Honor in Arlington, Virginia.

The National EMS Memorial Service remembers and honors those emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line-of-duty and to recognizes the ultimate sacrifice each made for his fellow man.

This year, four FDNY members who died from World Trade Center-related illnesses were added to the memorial, including EMS Lieutenant Anthony Cozzino, EMS Captain Robert DeLeon Jr, EMS Chief Mark Steffens, and EMT Christopher Swierkowski.

07/22/2025

Battle of the Badges
7:10pm

The annual NYPD vs. FDNY Battle of the Badges charity baseball game at Citi Field has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 7:10 p.m. General admission tickets are $20.

Proceeds from the game will benefit NYPD and FDNY designated charities.

For more information, please visit:

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

07/21/2025

Courtesy of

🚨OPPORTUNITY ALERT🚨

Looking for a career that makes a huge impact? Join us for our Public Safety Job Fair & Town Hall on July 23rd at Lehman College.

Meet the leaders who keep NYC safe—and find your path to a rewarding career in the most elite public safety team in the nation.

Real talk. Real jobs. Real impact.

07/19/2025

Courtesy of

🔥 The Fire. The Fight. The Foundation. 🔥

Today, we honor Chief William H. Hamer, Atlanta’s first Black Fire Chief.

From the frontlines of fire to the frontlines of history, he laid the foundation for generations to come.

🕊️ Rest easy, Chief.

07/19/2025

Courtesy of

If this was a FDNY firefighter with a hangnail it would be all over the media ...but it's not, it's just a FDNY EMS EMT who died in the line of duty who is being denied the honor of proper recognition for his LODD by the National EMS Memorial Service.

The silence is deafening.

'An attack on one of us, is an attack on all of us'
https://ems1.com/memorial/fdny-union-to-boycott-national-ems-memorial-service-over-omission-of-9-11-responder
FDNY EMS Local 2507 calls for a boycott of the National EMS Memorial Service, after organizers repeatedly refused to include FDNY EMS EMT Frederick Whiteside, who died in the line of duty in 2023.

EMT Frederick Whiteside died in the line of duty in 2023 but has been excluded from the memorial weekend service for the last two years