FDNY commissioner on what New Yorkers must have to keep themselves safe: Bare minimum

Robert Tucker, FDNY commissioner, told me what should be in every home.“First, a working smoke alarm.Many have them but the battery’s not operative.

Crazy — because we give them out for free.We even come to your home and install them for free.

Also, go to FDNYsmart.org.We give safety tips for free.

A working smoke alarm might also have a CO2 detector.It’s bare minimum at this point.“Central for the fire department for anywhere on the island of Manhattan is a place you’ve passed 100 times without knowing what you’ve passed.

Everything goes right there.And everyone’s passed it 100 times without knowing it.

It’s on the 79th Street transverse and nobody knows what they were passing.”OK, so who are you? How did you get to be fire commissioner?“Living nearby and with my bike, I’d hang around 85th between Lex and Third near the firehouse.Doors open.

A fire buff, I became a summer intern in a small office helping to dispatch the engines.Born in New York City.

Went to Fieldston.Had my law degree and knew I wanted to be a fireman.

A police and fire buff, I’d chase fire engines with a little scanner on my bike up and down Lexington and Park avenues.“I did a project mapping Manhattan’s multiple-alarm fires.Fifth alarm were pins with white heads, fourth — red heads, third — green heads.“Let homeowners know, in a fireproof apartment building, unless otherwise instructed, shelter in place.

Shut doors.If doors are shut, fire can be contained.

We even handle outdoor fires, car fires.We are New York City’s rescuers.“Listen, I’ve been scared.

Like at 345 Park Ave.So was the mayor and Commissioner Tisch.

We were outside, scared for our EMTs, paramedics, firefighters.A staff travels with me.

A special cell, state-of-the-art, rings in a certain way if something happens.At one Saturday night dinner party it rang when a boat hit the Brooklyn Bridge and people were in the water.

Other guests said, ‘What’s a fire commissioner?’�...