Mayor Adams Declares 2025 ‘Fire Prevention Year’ as FDNY Targets NYC’s Most At-Risk Blocks

In a major push to reduce fire hazards across the city, Mayor Eric Adams and FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker have officially declared 2025 as “Fire Prevention Year” in New York City.

The announcement aligns with the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week and comes in response to multiple high-profile fires in the early months of the year.

The FDNY is set to roll out an aggressive fire safety education campaign focusing on 100 blocks with the highest fire risk. FDNY analysts identified these areas using five years of historical fire data, building types, population density, and past safety outreach efforts.

Residents will receive personalized fire safety education, including door-to-door outreach, community events, awareness campaigns, fire escape planning tailored to different building structures, and smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation guidance. Additionally, the department has released Community Risk Assessments for all 59 community boards, providing a data-driven look at fire hazards and emergency preparedness levels across neighborhoods.

“When New Yorkers face danger, this administration takes decisive action,” Mayor Adams stated. “Through this initiative, we’re empowering communities with the tools to protect themselves.”

The Community Risk Assessments, developed by the FDNY’s Geographic Information Systems Unit, highlight the leading causes of residential fires, the types of buildings most affected, and vulnerability factors unique to each community. By utilizing these insights, the FDNY aims to implement tailored fire prevention strategies in collaboration with local residents and officials.

FDNY’s expanded outreach programs have already shown measurable success. In 2024, fire deaths dropped by 25% compared to 2023, lithium-ion battery fires killed six people, down from 18 in 2023, the Fire Safety Education Unit reached 508,975 New Yorkers, a 37% increase from the previous year, and over 104,000 people received CPR training, a 55% jump from 2023. With the declaration of Fire Prevention Year, city leaders hope to build on this progress and further reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.

“This initiative ensures that fire prevention remains a priority every day of the year,” said Commissioner Tucker. “By focusing on education, data-driven risk assessment, and community engagement, we are making New York City safer for all.”