Fire & Life Safety Education
Community investment and education is the most important fire prevention strategy. The FDNY Foundation supports fire and life safety education and outreach programs to educate all who work, visit and live in NYC. The Foundation continues to fund additional outreach efforts including educating the public through social media and public safety announcements and school lesson plans for educators.
The FDNY Foundation supports awareness campaigns to maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, providing an early warning system that allows residents critical time to escape. The Get Alarmed NYC program, a partnership between the FDNY, FDNY Foundation and the American Red Cross, is a critical fire safety initiative designed to prevent injuries and save lives by providing free smoke alarm installations and fire safety education to residents across New York City. Request a Smoke Alarm.
The Foundation supports the FDNY’s fire and life safety educational programs by working with the specially trained FDNY Community Affairs Unit (CAU) and FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit (FSEU) to advance preparedness, prevention, and resilience by aligning education and outreach with identified risks, vulnerabilities, and emerging threats across the five boroughs. Request a presentation.
The Mobile CPR Program plays a critical role in improving community health and emergency preparedness by bringing lifesaving CPR education directly to underserved and high-need populations in all five boroughs. Led by certified FDNY EMS personnel, they train citizens in compression-only CPR. The Foundation is proud to fund this program that saves lives and builds resilient communities during critical moments. Request a CPR Presentation here.
Control the Bleed is designed to teach individuals how to take immediate action during bleeding emergencies before professional help arrives. Learn more and request a presentation.
The FDNY Fire-Setter Intervention Program has also been an important way for Fire Marshals to combat arson and help improve public safety. Since it was launched, the program has provided successful outreach to youth at risk for committing arson.
Recruitment and Youth Services
To help prepare the next generation of members, the FDNY needs to continue building strong partnerships and career pathways with young people across New York City. Foundation-supported efforts have made some of the biggest impacts by introducing FDNY careers to diverse communities.
The FDNY Explorers Program, supported by the Foundation, has increased the visibility of the FDNY in young men and women, aged 14-20, to strengthen the department’s pipeline of diverse candidates and introduce participants to the Department’s core values—Service, Bravery, Safety, Honor, Dedication and Preparedness. Students take part in hands‑on firefighter and EMT training, service projects, outings, and visits to FDNY facilities.
The FDNY Youth Workforce Development (YWD) supports the mission of the FDNY in several ways. By engaging youth from traditionally underrepresented neighborhoods, the FDNY can reach and connect with under-served communities, helping the Department create a pipeline of future employees that reflects the communities it serves. YWD programs include Summer Boot Camp, FDNY Exploring and FDNY Prep that prepares students for the EMS Academy.
The Captain Vernon A. Richard FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety in Brooklyn also has yielded positive results with continued support from the FDNY Foundation. After school opportunities in STEAM are expanding with the FDNY Robotics Unit and in Skills and Drills with the FDNY Basketball team.