FDNY High School Named In Honor Of FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard, Who Was Killed on September 11th

June 29, 2016

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro will preside over a ceremony at 400 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn on Thursday, June 30 at 12 p.m. to rename the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety after FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard, one of the 343 FDNY members killed on September 11th.
 
“The FDNY High School is where young men and women from Brooklyn can learn the skills they need for a career of service and bravery in the FDNY,” said Commissioner Nigro.  “Captain Vernon A. Richard exemplified bravery and selfless sacrifice, and now, with the school that bears his name, his memory will live on and inspire generations of future FDNY members.”
 
“We are proud to have schools across the City named after inspirational leaders and local heroes like FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor Carmen Fariña.  “This tribute recognizes his bravery and dedication to serving the City over the course of his lifetime as well as the enormous impact he had on the community. We are grateful to the Fire Department for their continued partnership to support schools Citywide and the students at this school.”
 
Captain Richard, who was 53 years old at the time of his death, grew up in the Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant and served in the United States Army from 1967-1969 before joining the Department in December, 1977.  He first served in Ladder Company 17 in the Bronx.  Promoted to Lieutenant in 1994, he was assigned to Engine Company 16/Ladder Company 7 in Manhattan.  He was the officer in charge of Ladder Company 7 on September 11th and was posthumously promoted to Captain.
 
Since the opening of the FDNY High School, 46 graduates have joined the Department with two graduates currently serving as Firefighters and 44 as EMTs. To date, 126 FDNY High School graduates are State certified EMTs.
 
WHO:  Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro; First Deputy Commissioner Robert Turner; Chief of Department James E. Leonard; Family and friends of Captain Vernon A. Richard; Principal James Anderson; FDNY High School graduates; and many other FDNY members and their families.
 
WHERE:  FDNY High School – 400 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn
 
WHEN:  Thursday, June 30 – 12 p.m. 

 @FDNY Press Office 718 9992056