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AMSEC at Launch of New FDNY Fireboat
Since the late 1990s, the AMSEC New York office has been supporting the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) in the acquisition of new fireboats. This work has involved the development of performance specifications and concept designs for a high performance fireboat to the replace the FDNY’s two large fireboats. The final design for the new fireboats were developed by Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, Canada, a well-known fireboat designer. AMSEC provided Owner Representative Services during the construction of two 140 ft high performance fireboats by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida.
AMSEC personnel visited the shipyard monthly to inspect the vessels and attend progress meetings in company with FDNY personnel. AMSEC professionals provide technical advice to the FDNY, as well as offer professional opinions on cost change and schedule issues. During one of their visits, they were able to witness the launching of the first fireboat, THREE FORTY THREE, which is dedicated to the memory of the 343 FDNY firefighters and paramedics who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Appropriately, the launching was held on September 11, 2009. Fireboat THREE FORTY THREE was delivered in May 2010, with the second fireboat scheduled to be delivered in October 2010.
During their speeches dedicating Fireboat THREE FORTY THREE as part of the launching ceremony, FDNY officials thanked AMSEC for all of the technical support provided for the Fireboat project. Dick Rodi, the AMSEC program manager for the project, was specially mentioned for his long-term support of the FDNY.
These fireboats will have a speed of 17.3 knots and a pumping capacity of 50,000 gallons per minute, providing them with more firefighting capabilities than any other vessels in North America. The boats will be capable of protecting the firefighters on board from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) hazards through a Collective Protection System designed by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).