VisitFDNY by theBravest.com

theBravest.com 4/16/09

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is the most highly regarded fire department in the world. This was true before Sept. 11, 2001 and is true today. Many FDNY firefighters sport bumper stickers on their vehicles that tell us "FDNY - In Heaven and On Earth, Still the Greatest Job in the World." This, despite the great losses we suffered on that terrible day. theBravest.com has added a page entitled "VisitFDNY." This page will help you plan your trip to the Big Apple and make sure you hit all the right places.

On the top of your list must be the Tribute WTC Visitors Center on Liberty Street next to Engine10/Ladder10, known as the "Tenhouse." The Center was created by the families of those lost led by Lee Ielpi, a highly decorated FDNY firefighter who lost his son Jonathan (FDNY Squad 288). While at Tribute WTC, don't forget to walk around the corner and view the "May We Never Forget" bronze memorial wall on the side of Engine10/Ladder10's firehouse.

There are many other places to visit in Manhattan. To buy t-shirts, sweatshirts and all other kinds of memorabilia, visit the FDNY Firezone in Rockefeller Center, the official store of the FDNY. When you shop here, you can be sure the profits from the money you spend will support the FDNY Foundation. If you are feeling nostalgic, be sure to visit the New York City Fire Museum on Spring Street. This is an old firehouse converted to a museum. Plan on spending several hours here to take in the history of the FDNY in this beautiful, well-run museum. One of the better kept secrets of the FDNY is the Fireman's Memorial on Riverside Drive at 100th St. This is where the FDNY gathers every October to remember those lost the previous year. Other sites to visit in Manhattan include the Firemen's Memorial at St. John the Divine, the plaque commemorating the loss of 12 firefighters in the famous 23rd Street collapse and the firehouse where the famous movie "Ghostbusters" was filmed on N. Moore St.

If your feeling adventurous, there are other places to visit off the island of Manhattan. A very interesting place to visit is the George F Mand Library located at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall's Island. This is the largest collection of books and information about the FDNY. In Brooklyn you can visit the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance at Keyspan Park, dedicated to the Fallen Heroes who made the Supreme Sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001.

There are many other places to visit, including many firehouses with plaques dedicated to those who have passed as well as streets renamed for our fallen FDNY brethren.

We hope this is helpful when you come to visit us here in NYC.

Please visit www.theBravest.com/General_Information/VisitFDNY.htm for updated information.

Useful Links:

FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS

FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ACADEMY (THE ROCK)

FIRE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY (GEORGE F. MAND LIBRARY)

VISITING A FIREHOUSE

FIREBOATS

FIRE DEPARTMENT REPAIR SHOPS

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICES (DISPATCHERS)

FDNY FIREZONE (THE OFFICIAL STORE OF THE FDNY)

TRIBUTE WORLD TRADE CENTER VISITORS CENTER