Operation 7 Save a Life 2026

Monday, February 9, 2026

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Join host Bill Ritter for our 28th annual Emmy Award-winning WABC-TV special Operation 7: Save a Life,

Your safety - and even your life - could depend on whether you have this critical information in an emergency.

See how the New York City Fire Department is deploying cutting-edge technology to keep New Yorkers safe, with demonstrations of stunning new drones and robotic dogs.

We go one-on-one with new FDNY Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore as she shares her vision for the future in a term that will make history. (Watch the full interview here)

And did you know that dogs and cats are responsible for starting more than 1,000 home fires a year in the US? Learn crucial fire safety tips to pet-proof your home...plus see a demonstration of how firefighters are trained to save a pet's life with Pet CPR.

Then, the American Red Cross is putting out an urgent, nationwide call for blood donations. Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood - and the Red Cross supplies 40% of the nation's blood supply.

Hear from a local man who had more than 100 blood transfusions as a cancer patient waiting for a transplant. He credits the Red Cross blood donations as the only reason he's still alive - and the reason he was able to meet his first grandchild, born this month.

The Red Cross shares how easy it is to donate and why they need regular donors, now more than ever.

Resources:
To get a FREE smoke alarm installed in your home, call 877-RED-CROSS or click HERE to schedule an appointment online.
FDNY on nyc.gov
Newark Fire Department
National Fire Protection Association
Pet CPR: American Red Cross
Pet Fire Safety: ASPCA
To Donate Blood

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Smoke Alarms

Place smoke alarms on every level of the home and in bedrooms

Keep away from air vents

Place at least 4-6 inches away from walls and corners

Electrical Wiring

Replace wiring if frayed or cracked

Do not place under rugs, over nails, or in high-traffic areas

Avoid overloading outlets and make sure they stay cool to the touch

Around the House

Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs at least three feet away from anything that can burn

Clean out the lint filter before using the dryer

Don't use lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms, and sleeping areas. Always blow out candles when you leave a room/home or go to bed.

Use flashlights, not candles, during power outages

Store oily and solvent-wet rags in a tightly sealed metal container and then discard them

Stop, Drop, and Roll

If your clothes catch on fire: stop, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.

If you cannot stop, drop, and roll, a blanket or towel could help you and other smother flames

Electric Space Heater

Plug directly into the wall socket, not the extension cords

Unplug when not in use

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

You cannot see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide

Make sure all vents for furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and dryers are clear of snow and other debris

Install CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home

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