SI Advance – May 03, 2015
by Anna Sanders
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York’s Bravest opened their red doors to Staten Islanders on Saturday to mark the FDNY’s 150th anniversary.
“They’re always open, all the time,” FDNY Staten Island Borough Chief Richard Howe said at Engine 153/Ladder 77 in Stapleton. “But we wanted to show people what’s behind the big red doors — what we do.”
More than 200 firehouse and EMS stations opened to the public citywide. Firefighters, paramedics and EMTs gave tours, talked about FDNY history and conducted demonstrations.
“Anytime we can have the community interacting with men and women who work for the city of New York is a productive moment,” said Borough President James Oddo, who spent several hours on Saturday at firehouses across the Island.
All FDNY units remained on call to respond to fires and medical emergencies during the open house event. The Stapleton firehouse had three extra members on call just in case, Howe said.
Gella Paolucci brought her 4-year-old son Sammy to the Stapleton firehouse where his dad works. She said the open house could help acquaint locals with the firefighters that are there for them every day.
“It shows the community they can come here whenever they want,” Ms. Paolucci said. “Firefighters are always there to help them.”
Officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, shared photos of their visits from firehouses across the city:
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