Lieutenant Fred Carlson
Robotics
1. Please introduce yourself—your name, your title and the year you joined the FDNY.
My name is Fred Carlson. I serve as a lieutenant and UAS pilot of robotics, having joined the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in 2006 as part of Class 4.
2. Where are you currently assigned, and what are your main responsibilities?
I am presently assigned as the assistant administrator of the FDNY Robotics Program, where I am responsible for overseeing operations and logistics for Robotics and its response unit, the Command Tactical Unit. When necessary, I also cover shifts in the Command Tactical Unit, which responds to significant fires and incidents to provide situational awareness to the incident commander. As an officer within this unit, I analyze data and disseminate it at the command post.
3. What inspired you to choose a life of public service with the FDNY?
My involvement in public service has been a lifelong pursuit. The loss of close friends during the events of September 11, 2001, inspired me to take the entrance examination in 2002.
4. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on the job?
One of the most significant moments in my career involved assisting in the rescue of a pregnant woman from an apartment fire in the Briarwood section of Queens. Both the mother and her child survived, and they visited the firehouse several weeks later.
5. When you hear the words “We Are FDNY,” what does that mean to you?
The phrase embodies the family-like atmosphere of the Department and underscores the principle that no individual member is greater than the whole of the Department.
6. What would you say is your “superpower”—a strength or skill you bring to your work?
I attribute my background in television production and my passion for aviation as key factors that positioned me as a suitable candidate for the emerging Drone Program in 2017. My ability to comprehend, interpret and implement the rapidly evolving realm of drone technology and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations greatly enhances the efficacy of the Command Tactical Unit.
7. How does your role help advance the FDNY’s mission of public safety?
My role entails remaining informed and continuously exploring innovative methods for the Department to adopt and utilize advanced technology on the ground as well as in post-incident safety investigations. This effort aims to enhance situational awareness and implement safety measures that support and protect our members during operations as well as learn and train to prevent tragedies.