The Fire Department of New York (FDNY), in collaboration with national and regional partners, hosted a comprehensive seminar on operational strategies in high-rise buildings, aimed at improving firefighting tactics, safety protocols, and cooperation among fire departments across the United States.
Held at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island, the 2025 High-Rise Operations Symposium brought together hundreds of senior firefighters, chiefs, and emergency response experts from multiple states to discuss best practices, new technologies, and lessons learned from recent major incidents involving high-rise structures.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh opened the seminar, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and continuous training in a city defined by its vertical landscape. “New York City’s skyline is constantly evolving, and so must our strategies. The more we learn from each other, the more lives we can save,” she said.
The event featured live simulations, technical workshops, and panel discussions on topics such as smoke control systems, vertical evacuation challenges, firefighter communication in large structures, and coordination with building management teams. Participants also explored emerging firefighting tools, including drones for aerial assessment and thermal imaging systems for rapid search and rescue operations.
Among the attendees were representatives from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and Houston Fire Department (HFD), highlighting the national scope of the initiative. Experts shared real-world case studies, including the 2024 Manhattan high-rise fire that tested response times and coordination under extreme conditions.
FDNY Chief of Operations John Esposito noted that the symposium’s goal is to create “a unified approach to high-rise safety,” adding, “Every city faces unique challenges, but collaboration ensures we’re never learning in isolation.”
The seminar concluded with a tribute to fallen firefighters who lost their lives in high-rise operations, underscoring the risks and heroism that define the profession.
Through this annual event, the FDNY continues to reinforce its reputation as a global leader in firefighting innovation and training, helping shape the future of emergency response in urban environments worldwide.
