According to the New York City Fire Department Strategic Plan published online at the New York City Fire Department website, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 reshaped expectations about future threats and created a new urgency to increase preparedness among city officials and members of the New York Fire Department. In the aftermath of September 11th, the Department recognized the need for further strategic planning in order to fulfill its new, complex responsibilities relating to terrorism, while continuing to provide core services involving fighting structure fires and responding to medical emergencies. The Department's new mission statement reflects recognition of the new expectations placed on the FDNY. The Mission Statement stated: As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, the FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety
through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts (Executive Summary, 2005).
The Department's highest priority is to enhance its ability to respond to fires, emergencies, pre-hospital care emergencies and terrorist acts. The Department's strategy to increase operational preparedness focuses on investing in the continued enhancement of core capabilities. Homeland security issues now necessitate that FDNY members have the ability to
respond to, and mitigate, all acts of terrorism--chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive. Enhanced training and equipment enable members to perform scene surveys, searches, high-angle and confined space rescues at life-threatening incidents involving structural
One of FDNY's goals is to become New York City's lead agency at haza...