FDNY and FDNY Foundation hold plaque dedication ceremony for FDNY Capt. Vincent G. Fowler and receive 3 RIT KITS

Today at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island, the FDNY and FDNY Foundation held a plaque dedication ceremony for FDNY Capt. Vincent G. Fowler, and received a generous donation of three (3) RIT KITS from the Capt. Vincent Fowler Memorial Fund.

Chief of Operations, Thomas Richardson, and Chief Brendan McSweeney spoke of the importance of training and the immense value of RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) KITS.

The RIT KITS allow firefighters to perform realistic training to become proficient at managing a member in distress at the Fire Academy and in their firehouses.

“When a member of the FDNY heroically dies as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a fire or emergency, we must review the actions leading up to the catastrophic event, learn from them, and develop new and improved methods of training to prevent another tragedy,” said FDNY Battalion Chief Frank Rosciano, Chief of Tactical Training. This is the importance of continuing to train our members with these RIT KITS. We are grateful to the Fowler Foundation for this donation.

“Today, a plaque will be presented to his family and will hang in honor at the FDNY Training Academy, in memory of Captain Vincent G. Fowler.”

On June 4th, 1999, FDNY Captain Vincent Fowler succumbed to his injuries sustained while fighting a house fire in South Ozone Park, Queens. He remained behind to make sure that his men had safely exited the basement of the house. Tragically he ran out of oxygen and he collapsed in the cluttered basement. This ultimately led the Department to revise their techniques for removing an unconscious firefighter from an emergency situation.

Capt. Fowler was cited for bravery multiple times during his career and was awarded the Medal of Valor. One of his many accomplishments while in the department was spearheading efforts to update the procedures used for FDNY L.O.D.D.

In May 2000, P.S 108 in Queens was renamed The Captain Vincent G. Fowler School in honor of his heroic efforts and passion for education.

The FDNY and FDNY Foundation thank the Capt. Vincent Fowler Memorial Fund and his daughters Amy, Dina, and Stephanie for their generous support to the FDNY Training Academy.