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    New York City Fire Department
    Emergency Services

    New York City Fire Department

    United States flagUnited States

    "New York's Bravest"

    Founded July 31, 1865 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York City
    Community

    About

    The FDNY traces its roots to 1648, when the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam appointed fire wardens and required citizens to keep leather buckets. The modern paid department was established on July 31, 1865, replacing a volunteer system plagued by corruption and turf wars. Today, it is the largest municipal fire department in the United States and the second largest in the world after Tokyo, employing over 11,000 uniformed firefighters and 4,500 uniformed EMTs and paramedics.

    Headquartered at 9 MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn, the FDNY responds to more than 1.5 million calls annually. Its operations span fire suppression, advanced life support EMS, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and fire code enforcement. The department operates from 200 firehouses and 50 EMS stations across 302 square miles, serving 8.5 million people. The FDNY Fire Academy on Randalls Island trains all recruits, while the FDNY Foundation supports public education and fundraising.

    The department's brand identity is built on its mottoes: "New York's Bravest" for fire units and "New York's Best" for EMS. Its logo is recognized globally as a symbol of resilience, especially after the September 11 attacks, when 343 FDNY members died. The FDNY has faced significant challenges, including a federal consent decree over discriminatory hiring practices (Floyd v. City of New York), ongoing disputes over mandatory overtime, and a surge in lithium-ion battery fires from e-bikes and scooters. Recent leadership includes Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker (appointed August 2022) and Chief of Department John Esposito (appointed January 2024).

    Products & Sub-brands

    Fire suppressionEmergency medical servicesHazardous materials responseTechnical rescueFire prevention and code enforcement

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is the FDNY still in business?
    Yes, the FDNY is a fully operational municipal agency. It is the largest and busiest fire department in the United States, responding to over 1.5 million calls annually.
    Who is the CEO of the FDNY?
    The FDNY does not have a CEO. It is led by a civilian Fire Commissioner (currently Robert S. Tucker) who reports to the Mayor, and a uniformed Chief of Department (currently John Esposito) who commands operations.
    How much is the FDNY worth?
    The FDNY is a public service, not a company, so it does not have a corporate valuation. Its annual operating budget for FY2025 is approximately $2.4 billion, funded entirely by New York City tax dollars.
    FDNY vs. NYPD: which is better?
    They are different agencies. The FDNY handles fire, medical, and rescue emergencies, while the NYPD handles law enforcement and crime. Both are elite services essential to the city.
    Who owns the FDNY?
    The FDNY is owned by the public and is a municipal department of the City of New York, governed by the Mayor and City Council.

    Keywords

    FDNYNew York City Fire Departmentfire departmentemergency servicesNew York's Bravest9/11firefightingEMS

    Company Info

    Founded
    July 31, 1865
    Headquarters
    9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York City
    Industry
    Emergency Services
    Parent Company
    City of New York
    Employees
    17000
    Motto
    New York's Bravest (Fire), New York's Best (EMS)
    Annual Budget (FY2025)
    $2.4 billion
    Uniformed Firefighters
    11,000+
    Uniformed EMS Personnel
    4,500+
    Civilian Staff
    2,000+
    Firehouses
    200
    EMS Stations
    50
    Annual Calls
    1.5 million+
    Area Served
    302 square miles

    Official Website

    www.nyc.gov/fdny

    Links

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