Winners of the 2015 International Fire Department Team of the Year travel to New York

‘The City That Never Sleeps’ places great demands on its fire department. For a few days, the world-famous New York Fire Department (FDNY) shared a personal, up-close experience with members of the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department. The trip to the Big Apple was the main prize for the ‘2015 International Fire Department Team of the Year’, which the South American brigade won for its successful fighting of a major fire in a shopping centre.

Ten firefighters from Rio de Janeiro embarked on their journey to North America to enjoy their victory prize. The trip will remain unforgettable for Renato Neves and his colleagues. “Although we all have the same goal, we reach it by very different means. The professional exchange with our colleagues gave us much that we can use for our work. We were especially happy about the warm welcome we received from the New York firefighters where we each expressed our complete solidarity.”

In addition to meeting their FDNY colleagues, the Brazilians also visited the famous Fire Academy on Randall’s Island – the training centre where all New York firefighters start their careers. Every day, firefighters practice subway rescues, ABC exercises, firefighting and driver safety training here. Especially moving for the Brazilian brigade was the visit to the 9/11 memorial including the impressive museum. But the winners of the Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award also had enough time left over for sightseeing – they were especially fascinated by the magnificent 360° view of Manhattan from the platform of the Rockefeller Centre, but a walk through Central Park and a stop in Times Square were also important items on the agenda.

Once again this year, fire departments from around the world have the chance to win the ‘Fire Department Team of the Year’ title and visit the FDNY in New York. The application period begins on 2 July at www.magirusgroup.com/award. The competition is open to professional fire departments as well as volunteer fire brigades, plant, company and public fire departments. Any technically demanding missions can be submitted, as can innovative strategies, exemplary teamwork or unusual rescue operations.