FDNY gets ship simulator for fighting fires on seafaring vessels
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The New York City Fire Department has a new simulator that reproduces the unique conditions that can arise while fighting fires aboard ships and other seafaring vessels.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro presided over a christening ceremony Tuesday at the department's training academy on Randall's Island Tuesday.
The 132-foot, four-story $3.3 million ship is actually located on dry land, and it will help New York's Bravest to fight any fire challenge on board any ship in New York's and New Jersey's busy harbor.
The ship was designed and built by the FDNY, outfitted with a number of critical challenges firefighters might face. This valuable training also comes at a time when the harbor is the busiest it has ever been.
Nigro says there is a real and present possibility of shipboard fires in a city with highly active shipping and tourism industries.
The challenges include the unique layouts and close quarters on ships.
Firefighters also could face water supply woes and HazMat situations aboard vessels.
The simulator will allow practice for engine room fires, galley fires and oil tanker emergencies, among other things.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
