NYC Fire Wire

Two men who ran a marijuana grow house in the Bronx pleaded guilty Friday to manslaughter charges in the death of an FDNY chief when the building exploded, prosecutors said. Garivaldi Castillo, 32, of Harlem, and Julio Salcedo, 34, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal possession of marijuana in Bronx

The Town of Hempstead renamed a Point Lookout street to commemorate a local FDNY firefighter who died of a 9/11-related illness. The street sign reading “Ginny Ann Avenue,” named for Virginia Ann Culkin-Spinelli, a longtime Point Lookout resident who participated in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero, was unveiled Saturday morning in an emotional ceremony. “While this is just a simple street sign, this sign will be a lasting tribute to the legacy of Ginny Ann,” said Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney (R-Wantagh). “Heroes like Ginny Ann should never be forgotten". Councilwoman Sweeney was joined by Culkin-Spinelli's friends & family at the corner of Lynbrook Avenue, now Ginny Ann Avenue & Bayside Drive. Members of the community, the FDNY & local fire departments also were present. "Mom has been honored in Colorado Springs, Albany & the town park", said Spinelli's daughter, Shannon Llewellyn. "This is more of an honor. It hits closer to home" Culkin-Spinelli joined the FDNY in 1982 & was part of the 1st class of female firefighters to join the department, Sweeney said. She served Engine 226 in Brooklyn, later transfered to Engine 329 in Rockaway. She was a member of the FDNY for 20 years, retiring to St Augustine, Florida with her husband Vincent Spinelli in 2002.

Retired FDNY Battalion Chief Robert Miuccio, a Ground Zero hero famed for walking through burning buildings with a cigar in his mouth instead of an air mask, died Thursday of 9/11-related cancer, his family said. He was 76. "My dad never stopped thinking about the guys in the department," his son, retired firefighter Robert Miuccio Jr., told the Da

"It is with deep sadness and tremendous grief that we announce that Captain David Rosa has died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound at an emergency incident. Capt. Rosa is a 17 year veteran of our department and is assigned to Station 10." Long Beach, California Fire Chief Mike DuRee announced at a press confrence this morning. Rosa is sur

FDNY Adds Signs to Ambulances Warning of Assault Penalties hare Signs will be added to the exterior of FDNY ambulances that highlight penalties for assaults against EMS personnel, officials FDNY officials announced. The first ambulances to display the signs are assigned to Station 26 in the Bronx, where EMT Yadira Arroyo was struck and killed in Ma