11 New Yorkers died in a fire last month. Half of them were elderly. We urge New Yorkers to please check on your loved ones – especially those who are older and may be living alone. Talk to them about an escape plan, make sure they know two ways out of every room, and keep pathways free of clutter. As a reminder, space heaters should be kept away from combustibles. Never plug them into extension cords or power strips. And always have a working smoke alarm. For more winter safety tips, visit FDNY

Across New York City, the FDNY has 22 Surf Rescue Companies stationed along the coast. Members of these companies receive specialized training in water rescues and carry extra equipment designed for emergencies in the water. The FDNY responds to hundreds of water-related emergencies every year, especially during times when lifeguards aren’t on duty. To help protect yourself, always follow safety guidelines when swimming—whether in a pool or along the city’s 520 miles of coastline. Only swim in a

WATCH: A brief documentary produced by the Fire Department of the City of New York in the aftermath, at what was then, the deadliest day in FDNY history. 12 FDNY Firefighters were killed in the line of duty on October 17, 1966, an incident that has come to be known within the Department as the “23rd Street Fire.” Visit the FDNY Facebook page on Monday, October 17, 2016, at 12:15 pm EST, to watch a live stream of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony to be held at the scene of the fire on 2

Today the FDNY remembers one of the worst tragedies in Department history, when six Firefighters were killed in a fire at a Brooklyn Waldbaum’s on August 2, 1978. Nearly 20 Firefighters were on the roof of the supermarket when the central portion gave way, plunging 12 members into the flames. Lt. James E. Cutillo of Battalion 33, Firefighter Charles S. Bouton of Ladder 156, Firefighter Harold F. Hastings of Battalion 42, Firefighter James P. McManus of Ladder 153, Firefighter William O’Connor of