Foundation Joins FDNY in Mourning Loss of Former Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta
March 24, 2016
FDNY Foundation Publishing New FDNY Magazine Focused on EMS
March 31, 2016
Foundation-Funded Programs for Women in Spotlight During Women’s History Month
The FDNY Foundation is marking the end of Women’s History Month with a special focus on the Foundation-funded programs that help to support women interested in a career with the FDNY.
The Foundation is proud to fund these programs year-round, and joins the FDNY in encouraging all young women interested in a career with the Department to pursue their goals.
The Foundation recently funded a special “Woman Firefighter for a Day” event at the FDNY’s training facility on Randall’s Island. The event was designed to bring together women motivated and enthusiastic about joining the FDNY. More than 80 women participated in hands-on drills and heard directly from female firefighters, who offered words of encouragement.
“The FDNY now has more women in its ranks than ever before,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “We are so grateful to the Foundation for funding programs that will continue to increase that number.”
For women who are actively pursuing a career in firefighter, the Foundation supports the United Women Firefighters (UWF) of New York’s Female Firefighter Training Program. The program is open to all women who are interested in joining the Department and offers the intense physical conditioning needed to qualify and succeed as an FDNY Firefighter. Female firefighters already on the job and a certified fitness instructor lead candidates through strength and endurance training in a women-only supportive environment.
Additionally, the Foundation supports the Department’s efforts to reach out to diverse young people in New York City, to prepare them for and encourage them to pursue careers in the FDNY. The FDNY High School and FDNY Explorers Program utilize members of the Department who work with the youngsters to provide support and to give them opportunities to achieve success and personal growth. Both programs target girls and young women with specialized programming, and offer training aimed at keeping participants on track to be recruited to join the FDNY. The FDNY Explorers Program is made up of 85 percent young people of color and is 47 percent female.
“The programs we fund help the Department reach into the community to diverse populations of young people and help prepare candidates for a career with the FDNY,” said FDNY Foundation Chairman Stephen Ruzow. “It is our privilege to support programs like these; programs that lead to a stronger Department, a well-equipped Department and members prepared for the rigor of the front-lines.”
To learn more about programs funded by the FDNY Foundation, click here.
"The programs we fund help the Department reach into the community to diverse populations of young people and help prepare candidates for a career with the FDNY. It is our privilege to support programs like these; programs that lead to a stronger Department, a well-equipped Department and members prepared for the rigor of the front-lines."
