New York, NY -- America's cities will welcome 200 New York City firefighters this weekend in a national thank-you for their heroic work and an effort to promote travel and tourism across the country. As part of their visits, the New York firefighters will talk to school children, meet local firefighters, serve as parade grand marshals, visit local sights, and much more.

A group of the traveling firefighters will be joined by the mayors of Akron, Ohio and Hempstead, New York, as well as the President of NYC & Company, New York's convention and visitors bureau on Friday, March 1, 2002 at 10 a.m. to launch the firefighters' trips. The event will take place at the FDNY's Fire Zone, a multi-media educational facility that helps raise public awareness about fire safety.

WHAT:
"Cities Unite America and Thank New York Firefighters"
200 New York City firefighters will visit 200 U.S. cities as guests of the mayors, a national effort to thank the firefighters and promote travel and tourism nationwide.

WHO:
Group of New York City firefighters about to travel to U.S. cities
Cristyne Nicholas, President and CEO, NYC & Company
Akron, Ohio Mayor Donald Plusquellic
Hempstead, New York Mayor James Garner

WHEN:
Friday, March 1, 2002
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
FDNY Fire Zone
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City
Please enter at 34 West 51st Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)

The Fire Zone, a program of the New York Fire Department Fire Safety Fund, is a multi-media educational facility whose purpose is to raise public awareness about fire safety.

Contact:
Keith Yazmir, NYC & Company (212) 484-1244
Andy Solomon, U.S. Conference of Mayors (202) 744-3117

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