REBNY raises funds for firefighters

Real Estate Weekly, March 12, 2008

Earlier last month The Real Estate Board of New York was invited to a ceremony on Randall's Island to commence construction of the FDNY's new High-Rise Fire Training Simulation Facility. Through its REBNY Foundation, REBNY Members teamed with The Leary Firefighters Foundation to help fund the simulator, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year.

The simulator was designed to help better train firefighters to safely and quickly combat high-rise fires, which can be especially dangerous due to the building's height and the difficulties that places on the firefighters rescue efforts. The project calls for a four-story extension to the academy's current simulator.

"A high-rise fire is a devastating event," said Steven Spinola, president of REBNY. "My owner and manager members are constantly searching for ways to protect their high-rise employees and residents from fires by doing everything they can to ensure their own buildings don't fall victim. REBNY members active in the REBNY Foundation, especially Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of Newmark Knight Frank, heard that The Leary Foundation was helping to better train the FDNY to deal with these fires, and they immediately began raising funds to support this worthy cause. Better training will lead to safer buildings which will lead to a safer city for all who live and work here."