Fire

Topic

√ NY Agencies

New York City Fire Department (FDNY)

This is the primary agency responsible for firefighting and fire prevention in New York City. The FDNY is responsible for responding to fires, conducting fire investigations, and enforcing fire safety regulations. Mayor’s Management Report

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)

This agency is responsible for ensuring that buildings in New York City are constructed and maintained safely. The DOB is involved in fire prevention by conducting inspections of buildings and issuing permits for fire safety systems, such as sprinklers and fire alarms. Mayor’s Management Report

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM)

This agency is responsible for coordinating the city’s response to emergencies, including fires. NYCEM works closely with the FDNY to provide support during firefighting operations and to coordinate the response of other city agencies. Mayor’s Management Report

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

This agency is responsible for ensuring that the city’s water supply is safe and reliable. The DEP is involved in fire prevention by ensuring that fire hydrants are functioning properly and that there is adequate water pressure to fight fires. Mayor’s Management Report

New York City Human Resources Administration

This agency is responsible for protecting and promoting the health of New Yorkers. The DOHMH is involved in fire prevention by monitoring air quality during fires and providing guidance to residents on how to protect themselves from smoke and other fire-related hazards. Mayor’s Management Report

√ Reports

FDNY MMR

The New York City Fire Department releases an annual report on the previous year’s fire statistics.

Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI) Annual Reports

Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI) Annual Reports examine the causes of fire, fire fatalities, civilian fire injuries and arrest reports conducted by the Fire Department’s law enforcement bureau.

New York City Fire Code

The New York City Fire Code is a set of regulations that outlines fire safety requirements for buildings in the city. The code is regularly updated to reflect changes in technology and best practices for fire safety.

FDNY NALOXONE REPORTING

Statistics by patient, method of administration and borough.

end-to-end response times

The FDNY’s end-to-end response time is the time it takes from when a 911 call is made to when the first responders arrive on the scene. The FDNY’s target end-to-end response time is 6 minutes for all calls, but the actual response time varies depending on the location of the call and the severity of the incident.

Strengthening Enforcement of NYC's Heat Laws

A lack of adequate heat is an underlying condition that continues to plague New York City. Heat complaints and violations are not equally distributed across the city but concentrated in the Northwest and South Bronx, Central Brooklyn and, Northern Manhattan.

FDNY MMR

The New York City Fire Department releases an annual report on the previous year’s fire statistics.

Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI) Annual Reports

Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI) Annual Reports examine the causes of fire, fire fatalities, civilian fire injuries and arrest reports conducted by the Fire Department’s law enforcement bureau.

New York City Fire Code

FDNY NALOXONE REPORTING

Statistics by patient, method of administration and borough.

end-to-end response times

Strengthening Enforcement of NYC's Heat Laws

√ Data sets

Fire Incident Dispatch Data

The Fire Incident Dispatch Data file contains data that is generated by the Starfire Computer Aided Dispatch System. The data spans from the time the incident is created in the system to the time the incident is closed in the system.

NYC Open Data - Various

Bureau of Fire Prevention –
Active Violation Orders
Mandatory Inspections by Fire Companies
EMS Incident Dispatch Data
FDNY Line Of Duty Deaths
FDNY Firehouse Listing

Bureau of Fire Investigations - Fire Causes

This data lists the causes of fires found by the Bureau of Fire Investigations. Each record represents a fire related incident investigated by BFI. This dataset contains only closed and completed cases.

United States Fire Administration (USFA) Fire Data

The USFA collects and publishes data on fires and other emergencies throughout the United States. This data includes information on the causes and locations of fires, as well as statistics on fire-related injuries and fatalities.

National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)

The NFIRS is a national database that collects data on fire incidents from fire departments throughout the United States. The FDNY contributes data to the NFIRS, and this data can be used to compare fire incidents in New York City to those in other cities.

√ Data visualizations

In-Service Alarm Box Locations - Map

This dataset contains the location of physical alarm boxes. It includes operational voice capable Emergency Reporting System (ERS) devices as well as pull-activated Box Alarm Reporting System (BARS) devices.

End to End Response times

FDNY response times visualized in bar charts by type and date.

Heat Code Enforcement in New York City

Heat complaints and violations are visualized in column charts and show change over time.

National Interagency Fire Center - Maps

Current and historical fire perimeter maps can be found on Wildland Fire Open Data. The web-based program provides information for wildland fire emergencies and prescribed fires, but can also be used for other natural disasters and emergency incidents such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

√ STATISTICS

FDNY Annual Fire Responses

2022, MMR

Structural Fires

2022, MMR

Civilian Fire Fatalities

2022, MMR

Emergencies

The Department responds to more
than 300,000 fires and non-fire
emergencies and more than 1.5
million medical emergencies per year.

Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Structural/Nonstructural Fires

In fiscal year 2022 there were 23,327 structural fires, a decrease of 4 percent and 13,577 non-structural fires, a decrease of 17 percent compared to fiscal year 2021. Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Response Times

In fiscal year 2022 end-to-end average response time to structural fire incidents called into 911 increased by 9 seconds compared to fiscal year 2021. Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Fire Fatalities

In Fiscal 2022 92 civilians died from injuries sustained in fires, representing a 42 percent increase from Fiscal 2021. The increase is attributed to the tragic January 9 fire at the Twin Parks apartment complex in the Bronx, which resulted in 17 deaths. Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Medical Incidents

The overall incidence of medical emergencies increased between Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2022, including a 9 percent increase in life-threatening incidents.

FDNY Annual Fire Responses

2022, MMR

Structural Fires

2022, MMR

Civilian Fire Fatalities

2022, MMR

Emergencies

The Department responds to more
than 300,000 fires and non-fire
emergencies and more than 1.5
million medical emergencies per year.

Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Structural/Nonstructural Fires

Response Times

In fiscal year 2022 end-to-end average response time to structural fire incidents called into 911 increased by 9 seconds compared to fiscal year 2021. Source: Mayor’s Management Report 2022

Fire Fatalities

Medical Incidents

The overall incidence of medical emergencies increased between Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2022, including a 9 percent increase in life-threatening incidents.

√ Census & American Community Survey

Housing characteristics

The ACS collects data on housing characteristics, such as the number of units in a building, the age of the building, and the type of heating system. These characteristics can be correlated with fire risk and can help identify areas where fire prevention measures may be necessary.

Household income

The ACS collects data on household income, which can be a predictor of fire risk. Lower-income households may be more likely to live in older or poorly maintained buildings with inadequate fire safety measures.

Housing characteristics

Household income

√ Non-Profits

American Red Cross Greater New York

The American Red Cross provides emergency services and disaster relief to those affected by fires and other disasters. They provide emergency shelter, food, and other basic needs to those affected by fires.

FDNY Foundation

The FDNY Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the work of the New York City Fire Department. They provide funding for training, equipment, and community outreach programs.

Burn Advocates Network

The Burn Advocates Network is a non-profit organization that provides support to burn survivors and their families. They offer programs and services to help with recovery and rehabilitation.

Friends of Firefighters

Friends of Firefighters is a non-profit organization that provides support to active and retired New York City firefighters and their families. They offer counseling, wellness programs, and other services to help firefighters cope with the physical and emotional toll of their work.

New York City Fire Museum

The New York City Fire Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of firefighting in New York City. The museum provides educational programs and exhibits to teach visitors about fire safety and prevention.

National Fire Protection Association

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes fire safety standards and codes. The NFPA has a chapter in New York City that works with the FDNY and other fire safety organizations to promote fire safety in the city.

√ Experts

Daniel A. Nigro - FDNY

Daniel A. Nigro was the Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. He has over 50 years of experience in the department and led the department from 2014-2022.

Glenn Corbett - John Jay College

Glenn Corbett, MEng, currently serves on the Fire Code Advisory Council for New Jersey and is a former member of the Federal Advisory committee of the National Construction Safety Team. He is the technical editor and a columnist for Fire Engineering Magazine

Vincent Dunn - FDNY

Vincent Dunn is a retired Deputy Chief of the New York City Fire Department and a nationally recognized expert on firefighting strategy and tactics. He has written several books on the topic, including “The Collapse of Burning Buildings: A Guide to Fireground Safety.”

Bill Gustin - Firefighter

Bill Gustin is a retired firefighter and a nationally recognized expert on firefighting tactics and strategy. He is a frequent speaker and instructor on the topic and has been featured in several industry publications.

James Bullock - NY Fire Consultants

James Bullock and Robert O’Brien are the co-owners of NY Fire Consultants, Inc. and NY Fire Safety Institute (NYFSI). They are both retired firefighters with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and have over 50 years of combined experience in fire safety. They are certified fire protection engineers and fire inspectors.

Daryl Ebersole - Engineer

Daryl Ebersole is a licensed professional engineer and certified fire investigator. He has over 20 years of experience in the fire protection industry and has investigated a variety of fires, including commercial fires, residential fires, and industrial fires. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

√ Journal Articles

"Pre-COVID-19 lung function and other risk factors for severe COVID-19 in first responders"

Michael D. Weiden et al. Risk factors for #COVID19 infection and severe disease (hospitalisation or death) in NYC first responders: greater pre-pandemic rate of FEV1 decline is associated with severe COVID-19, as is emergency medical service work versus firefighting.

"Medical Leave Associated With COVID-19 Among Emergency Medical System Responders and Firefighters in New York City"

David J. Prezant, MD. In this cohort study, we compared medical leave of FDNY responders during the pandemic with prior years. Medical leave among FDNY responders increased rapidly, peaking the first week of April. The higher rate of COVID-19 illness in EMS responders vs firefighters likely reflects greater exposure to patients with COVID-19 during delivery of prehospital medical care.

"Black Firefighters and the FDNY: The Struggle for Jobs, Justice, and Equity in New York City"

For over a century, generations of Black New Yorkers have fought to gain access to and equal opportunity within the FDNY. Tracing this struggle for jobs and justice from 1898 to the present, David Goldberg details the ways each generation of firefighters confronted overt and institutionalized racism.

"Risk Factors for COVID-19 in a Retired FDNY WTC-Exposed Cohort"

We evaluated the incidence and risk factors for COVID-19 in a prospectively followed cohort of Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed workers, thus reducing the potential for selection bias

"Genetic Variants Associated with FDNY WTC-Related Sarcoidosis"

We developed a case-control study that explored the genetic variations between firefighters in the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) with World Trade Center (WTC)-related sarcoidosis and those with WTC exposure, but without sarcoidosis.

√ Key Issues

Fire safety in residential buildings

Residential fires are a major concern in New York City, with thousands of fires occurring in apartments and houses each year. Issues around fire safety in residential buildings include the need for proper smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, building inspections, and tenant education on fire safety.

Response times

The New York City Fire Department is responsible for responding to fires and other emergencies throughout the city. Response times can be a critical issue in fire emergencies, with delays potentially leading to greater property damage and loss of life. The department has faced criticism in the past over response times, with some advocates calling for additional resources to improve response times.

Arson

Arson, or the intentional setting of fires, can be a major issue in New York City. Arsonists can put people and property at risk, and fires can be difficult to investigate and prosecute. The city has implemented programs to prevent and investigate arson, such as the Fire Marshals Arson Tip Line.

Firefighters' health

Firefighters face significant health risks on the job, including exposure to smoke and chemicals. Issues around firefighters’ health include the need for proper protective gear and training, as well as resources to address health concerns such as cancer, which is a leading cause of death among firefighters.

Climate change and wildfires

While wildfires are not a common occurrence in New York City, climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires throughout the United States. New York City has seen increased concern over the potential for wildfires in nearby areas, such as the Pine Barrens on Long Island.

√ Social Media Accounts

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