Fire Commissioner Announces Department’s First-Ever Brush Fire Task Force

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker today announced the creation of the FDNY’s first Brush Fire Task Force, comprised of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drone units in response to the historic increase in brush fires occurring throughout the five boroughs. The task force will help ensure rapid and effective responses to brush fires, conduct comprehensive investigations to help determine the cause and origin of each fire, and enhance data and information sharing to prevent fires from occurring.

“Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast-spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions have resulted in an historic increase of brush fires throughout New York City,” said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. “By creating this task force, we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future. I also want to urge New Yorkers to follow our important safety tips and help us reduce the chances of a brush fire occurring.”

The creation of the task force comes on the heels of historically dry months this October and November in New York City, causing an unprecedented uptick in the number of brush fires. In the two-week period from November 1, 2024 — November 14, 2024, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires citywide — the highest amount in a two-week period in New York City history. This, compared to just 200 in the entire month of October for the last three years.

The task force’s operational strategy will focus on three key areas:

Pre-Fire Operations

• Risk Assessment: The task force will use drones and ground-based inspections to assess at-risk areas. Drones will be used to conduct pre-fire surveillance to assess high fuel load regions and environmental conditions.
• Data Collection: The task force will gather intelligence on wind patterns, topography, and fire-prone areas for strategic planning.
• Public Education: The task force will inspect and enforce fire safety codes in at-risk zones and educate residents on fire prevention methods.

Ongoing Brush Fire Operations

• Tactical Support: The task force will utilize tactical drones to provide real-time situational awareness to keep first responders safe, map fire spread, and identify hot spots.
• Investigation Support: Fire investigators will utilize drone footage to assess fire origin and behavior.

Post-Fire Operations

• Cause and Origin Investigation: Task force members will conduct a comprehensive investigation of the burned area to gather evidence and help determine the cause and origin. This includes using evidence such as burn patterns, weather conditions, and witness reports.
• Post-Fire Inspections: Fire Protection Inspectors will evaluate nearby properties for compliance with fire codes, identifying mitigation strategies.
• Damage Assessment: Tactical drone units will provide detailed aerial images for property damage assessment, aiding in recovery efforts.
• Interagency Collaboration: Fire marshals will collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for potential arson investigations when arson is suspected.

The task force will also enhance internal communication and external coordination to help prevent fires and keep first responders safe while on the ground. Internally, the FDNY will establish clear communication protocols between investigators, inspectors, and drone operators. This includes utilizing radios, mobile apps, and drone-linked systems for real-time updates. Externally, the FDNY will coordinate with regional fire departments, law enforcement, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, and environmental agencies to ensure unified action and support. The Branch Chief of Wildfire Policy at the U.S. Fire Administrator will consult with the task force and offer their wildfire expertise. Task force members will also integrate into the broader FDNY incident command system to increase operational efficiency.

Members of the task force will conduct training and preparedness exercises to simulate real-life brush fire scenarios to enhance coordination and test equipment and protocols. Fire marshals and inspectors now receive basic drone operation training to understand drone capabilities and limitations. Drone operators now also receive fire behavior training to interpret aerial data effectively.

Following each brush fire, the task force will also conduct an extensive after-action review and performance evaluation. This includes:

• Debriefings: After each incident, the task force will conduct a thorough after-action report to assess performance, identify gaps, and improve future operations.
• Reporting: A joint report will be compiled summarizing findings, actions taken, and recommendations for improving fire prevention and response strategies.
• Public Transparency: Share key findings and recommendations with the public to enhance awareness and encourage fire safety measures.