FDNY Foundation Hosts Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner

On Thursday, September 7th, 2023 the FDNY Foundation hosted its annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner. The event took place at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island. This year’s event has raised more than $3.3 million and supports the FDNY Foundation to help provide training, equipment, and education to FDNY members, fire and life safety education programs and much more. Emmy Award winning actor Hank Azaria served as the emcee for the night.

The FDNY and FDNY Foundation honored longtime friend and supporter, Steven A. Cohen, Chairman, CEO and Owner of the New York Mets and Chairman, CEO and President of Point72 Asset Management.

“Your generosity allows the FDNY Foundation to support the life-saving mission, programs, and the never-ending work of the FDNY. Your support saves lives. The money we raise helps the FDNY save lives by supporting fire safety education and CPR training throughout New York City, scholarships, equipment and training for members, support for members and their families, and workforce development programs for up and coming FDNY members,” said FDNY Foundation Chairman, Stephen L. Ruzow.

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, “The Foundation does a lot to support the FDNY and you are helping them by supporting tonight’s dinner. Your support helps our fire department community including line of duty families and making sure our members get access to mental health treatment. You are helping support innovation, including the FDNY drone unit and robot dogs. These tools help us save lives. They are helping make our first responders safer and giving them a better chance of helping find civilians alive. It is the Foundation that makes sure the department is ready for not only the everyday dangers we face, but new threats including lithium-ion batteries. The FDNY Foundation makes sure we are able to be on the front side of this emerging threat.”

“We are incredibly proud to support the FDNY Foundation because the Foundation helps support FDNY members who risk their lives every day to protect our great city. They are the last line of defense when our neighbors are in danger and need help. They go above and beyond the call of duty to connect with and serve the communities they protect. They are the true heroes of New York,” said Mr. Cohen.

“I can’t say enough about the FDNY Foundation. They support all FDNY members in so many ways, particularly here at the Fire Training Academy.  There are so many things that the Foundation has enabled the department to do that would not be capable without their support,” said Chief of Department John J. Hodgens.

Emcee Hank Azaria stated, “When you support the FDNY Foundation, you are helping save lives through fire and life safety education, and helping provide FDNY members with the tools, education, and training that they need to keep us all safe.”

The FDNY Service Recognition Award was presented to the FDNY Lithium-ion Battery Task Force. With generous support from the FDNY Foundation, the Task Force is the premier harbinger of safer, comprehensive practices addressing the dangers posed by improperly handled micro-mobility devices. This multi-faceted task force comprised of the Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI), Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP), Fire Safety Education Unit (FSEU) and HazMat, is equipped with the latest information, tactics, and emergent methodologies to prevent devastating lithium-ion battery related damage to property around the city and help save lives.

The FDNY Foundation sends our sincere thanks and gratitude to Mr. Cohen, our generous donors, Mr. Azaria, and the FDNY for making this such a great event.

2023 FDNY Foundation Virtual Journal.

FDNY Foundation Hosts Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner livestream.

FDNY Foundation Hosts Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner recap.