Commissioned in 1938 for the New York City Fire Department, Fire Fighter protected the New York Harbor waterfront for decades and became one of the most respected marine firefighting vessels in the world. Designed to defend critical infrastructure, crowded shipping lanes, military assets, and densely populated waterfronts, the vessel remains capable of delivering up to 20,000 gallons of water per minute through its powerful water cannons.

Over the course of its operational life, Fire Fighter responded to countless maritime emergencies, waterfront fires, rescue operations, and disaster events helping protect lives from shoreline communities to open-water incidents for more than seven decades. The vessel also played a role in emergency operations connected to the September 11th recovery efforts, continuing its long-standing mission of public protection during one of the nation’s most difficult moments.

Today, Fire Fighter operates as a fully functional floating museum and National Historic Landmark, preserving not only the history of maritime firefighting, but also the stories of the firefighters, mariners, military personnel, engineers, and first responders who dedicated their lives to protecting others.