New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano recently welcomed New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and pitchers Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey, Bobby Parnell and Dillon Gee to the FDNY Training Academy on Randall's Island. The players and Wilpon experienced several FDNY training exercises, including extinguishing a fire in the high-rise simulator.

The Mets representatives participated in the same training that probationary firefighters go through when at the fire academy, said Frank Dwyer, FDNY spokesperson. The players each took turns using the nozzle and putting out a fire in the FDNY high-rise simulator. From there, they moved to the roof and practiced a life-saving rope rescue. The players then climbed the aerial ladder and partnered to extinguish a car fire.

“Our members train every day for situation they will encounter, from high-rise fires to car fires,” Dwyer said. “The Mets were curious to see first hand what kind of training our members go through to gain a greater appreciation of what FDNY firefighters do every day. This training can serve to strengthen the bond between our two great organizations.”

Dwyer said the Mets has a strong relationship with the FDNY. Since Sept. 11, players have visited a firehouse every year during the week of the anniversary as a way to say thank you and give back. They also visit other times throughout the year to meet with firefighters and their families.

“This event is the latest example of the strong relationship between the FDNY and the New York Mets,” Dwyer said.

Parnell and Gee are sons of firefighters from other parts of the country. Robert Parnell Sr. is the fire chief of the Salisbury (N.C.) Fire Department and was in attendance during the training. Gee’s father, Kevin Gee, works for the Fort Worth (Texas) Fire Department.