FDNY Hosts First-Ever Faith and Community Leaders Breakfast

March 8, 2017

On Wednesday, March 8th, 2017, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro welcomed FDNY members and religious leaders from communities across the city to a Faith and Community Leaders Breakfast at FDNY Headquarters. The breakfast was an opportunity to hear the needs and concerns of faith leaders to continue to make the city safer.

Commissioner Nigro highlighted 2016 as one of the safest years the city has experienced. “Crime is down, traffic deaths are down, and here in the FDNY, despite a record 1.7 million emergencies, we had our lowest year ever for fire deaths,” said Commissioner Nigro. He underscored that the Department did not do it alone, as many congregations opened their doors to help the FDNY promote fire safety education and CPR training.

Commissioner Nigro also raised awareness of the Open Competitive Filing period for the upcoming Firefighter examination, from April 5th to April 25th. He urged congregations to help get the word out in recruiting and mentoring the next-generation of New York City’s Bravest.
“We are looking for men and women from every neighborhood, every background, and yes, every faith, to help us protect this city,” said Commissioner Nigro. “We accomplish more when everyone is represented – we are better able to promote safety when New Yorkers see someone just like themselves in an FDNY uniform.”

FDNY was joined by the Mayor’s Center for Faith and Community Partnerships. The center serves as a direct line to City Hall, connecting local and citywide coalitions of leaders to services that increase equity and inspire civic engagement throughout neighborhoods.

“Communities of faith are often at the front lines of responding to the spiritual and material needs of families impacted by fires,” said Jonathan Soto, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Center for Faith and Community Partnerships. “Today’s breakfast equips leaders with tools to promote fire safety and strengthen the relationship between our Fire Department and communities of faith.”

“Increasing access to employment opportunities within our Fire Department ultimately strengthens NYC neighborhoods,” said Marco Carrion, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. “I commend FDNY for its sustained engagement with both faith and community leaders.”

For photos from the breakfast, click here.

For additional information on the upcoming Firefighter examination, visit www.joinfdny.com. Visit @JoinFDNY on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.