By Diane Feldman
Photos by Tony Greco
Hundreds of fire service members and friends from across the country gathered at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, New York, on Saturday, May 12, for the dedication of a life-size bronze sculpture of longtime instructor Andrew A. Fredericks, who was killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Fredericks, age 40, left behind a wife, Michelle, and two children–Andrew and Hayley.
A lieutenant and 20-year veteran of FDNY, Fredericks was a member of Squad 18. He was an editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering for eight years and was on the advisory board of FDIC. He developed the Fire Engineering “Bread and Butter” Operations videos Advancing the Initial Attack Handline (1997), Stretching the Initial Attack Handline (1998), and Methods of Structure Fire Attack (1999). He taught H.O.T. classes at FDIC and was a keynote speaker at the FDIC in 1999.
He was dubbed “Andy Nozzles” because of his passionate interest in interior fire attack methods and his desire to bring that training to firefighters around the country. In that regard, Andy was no stranger to debate, and he enjoyed arguing his views and dispelling what he considered to be long-held myths in firefighting. (He was burned by a fog stream early in his career and spent the rest of his days in opposition to the use of fog in interior fire attack.)
He was a New York State-certified fire instructor at the Rockland County Fire Training Center and an adjunct instructor at the New York State Academy of Fire Science. He also taught at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute.
He had two bachelor’s degrees, one in political science and one in public safety, with a specialization in fire science, and a master’s degree in fire protection management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
The money for the statue was raised by Fire Nuggets, an online fire publication, through yearly golf tournaments held in California. Now the money from the outings will be used for an Andy Fredericks Scholarship Fund, to send firefighters for training at such conferences as FDIC.
FDNY Battation Chief Jerry Tracy, who worked with Fredericks at Squad 18, spoke at the dedication ceremony: “The significance of this bronze memorial is profound, for it symbolizes what Andrew Fredericks personified in life as a person and a leader in the fire service. Placing this bronze of a true firefighter here at the Rockland County Fire Training Center couldn’t be more fitting and appropriate. This academy was a great part of his life, as was his family and career with the FDNY.”
He continued: “This bronze will serve as an example to the future of the fire service the meaning of professionalism. Andrew served as both a volunteer and paid firefighter and maintained the charisma of a professional. This bronze is an excellent adaptation of his being and personality. It reveals his character, pride, passion, true grit, and dedication of purpose. Firefighters both seasoned and developing will glance at this bronze and be proud to share the same earth and passion of this firefighter. It will serve to instill inspiration and motivation toward excellence.”
“Now, standing here at this training academy, Andrew will continue to inspire those who choose to follow in his footsteps for decades to come.”
