Game Day // News

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Here To Help: NDFD Posted: 29 Oct 2013 01:18 PM PDT NDFD Mission Statement:The University of Notre Dame Fire Department (NDFD) is dedicated to the preservation of life and property and to the promotion of fire safety through public education, inspections and fire protection system maintenance. The Notre Dame Fire Department is America’s first University fire department and has served the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s College, Holy Cross College and surrounding areas since 1879. Serving three colleges, 15,000 citizens, and a population that swells to over 100,000 during a football game, the demands are high on the Notre Dame Fire Department. Members of the University of Notre Dame Fire Department devote a significant portion of their lives by working 24 hours shifts to safeguard the Notre Dame Community. “Everybody in the firehouse wants to be here, they are excited to make a difference. So the sacrifice is part of our calling,” says Assistant Chief Tim Hoeppner. As a full service safety agency, NDFD is a vital component of the University's mission to provide a safe environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors. NDFD has evolved from volunteers responding to ringing alarms to a professional department that seeks to prevent fires through public education, fire code inspections and fire protection system maintenance. “We are trained and equipped to respond to the 1300 calls for service we receive annually” says Fire Chief Bruce Harrison. The modern day Notre Dame Fire Department has 16 full time firefighters. The chief, assistant chief, and two fire protection technician/firefighters work weekdays while the three rotating 24 hour shifts are each staffed with a captain, a lieutenant, and two firefighter/emergency medical technicians. Thirty part-time firefighters are used for shift vacancies, football games and other special events. Click here to view the full 2013 NDFD roster When asked about the preparation for a home football weekend, Fire Chief Bruce Harrison explains his group is excited for the opportunity to serve the University. "We prepare every day as if it were a game day and everyone here takes pride in being a part of the game day experience. To be there when we are needed, to direct, or interact…whatever we are called to do. We are an enthusiastic group that takes pride in having a plan and executing. However, we don’t service our community alone during football weekends. Groups like the South Bend Fire Department, Clay Fire Department, and the F.A.S.T. team inside the stadium are monumental to our success. Notre Dame is very large city on Game Day and without the added assistance of these individuals, some of whom are volunteers, it would almost be impossible to efficiently respond to all of the requests. " These efforts have produce great results, including a less than 2.2 minute average response time and a reputation of skilled and compassionate service. NDFD is an important part of the Notre Dame family. “It’s amazing how many people stop by the firehouse on game day to say hello, and we appreciate every single one of them. At the end of the day we are here to serve and protect our community and that is what we live by. To have the opportunity to wear the Blue and Gold Maltese Cross, it’s truly an honor” says Harrison. On a football weekend it is more than fitting to celeberate those who are of service to our nation and communities. Without such individuals, enjoying a football game in a safe environment would not be possible. Each Game Day, be sure to take a moment and give thanks to the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our lives, homes and property. When you see firefighters on Game Day, and every day, be sure to thank them for their service, bravery, and sacrifice.

From Sea to Shining Sea Posted: 29 Oct 2013 05:47 AM PDT A Legendary Rivalry Built on Gratitude & Respect for the US Navy On Saturday, November 2nd Notre Dame and Navy will come together at Notre Dame Stadium to compete and celebrate the longest uninterrupted intersectional rivalry in college football, which began in 1927. Notre Dame leads the series 73-12-1. Prior to 2007 Notre Dame had a winning streak of 43 games, the longest series win streak between two annual opponents in the history of Division I FBS football. While there is great history between these two footballs programs, the relationship between the Naval Academy and the University of Notre Dame is one that is built on more than football alone. During World War II Notre Dame faced financial troubles that many feared would force the University to close its doors. However, the Secretary of the U.S. Navy, at the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz, agreed to make Notre Dame a training center for the Navy and paid to use University facilities, allowing Notre Dame to keep its doors open. In a letter to Admiral Nimitz, Notre Dame President Rev. Hugh O’Donnell, expressed the University’s deepest gratitude for the opportunity to continue to be Notre Dame and train men for the United States of America. He wrote, “Yes, Notre Dame is doing its part. We are in this war as much as you are. But Notre Dame is still operating as Notre Dame. We are training men for America, for today and tomorrow.” According to the United States Navy, by 1945 the Notre Dame Naval Reserve Officers Training Program resulted in over 10,000 trainees being commissioned ensigns in the naval reserve. Since the Navy’s incredible gesture and partnership during that time, Notre Dame has invited the Midshipmen to play the Fighting Irish each year. Throughout the series the Irish and Midshipmen have twice traveled across the ocean to compete in Ireland, most recently meeting in 2012 at Aviva Stadium, further signifying and solidifying an unbreakable bond built on mutual respect between Navy and Notre Dame. The Irish will kick off against Navy on Saturday, November 2nd at 3:30 PM ET and the game will be broadcast on NBC. Letter from Rev. Hugh O’Donnell to Admiral Chester Nimitz: TO ADMIRAL NIMITZ-SOMEWHERE IN THE PACIFIC: My address on the Nineteenth annual Universal Notre Dame Night is a little different. The sons and friends of Notre Dame will not mind if I say a few words to a friend of Notre Dame, the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz ’05. He is somewhere in Far Eastern waters. He may be on his favorite submarine, aboard a battleship, or aloft a plane, directing operations against the enemy. Even now, he may be engaged in battle. Admiral Nimitz, wherever you are, Notre Dame greets you. I send this message on behalf of 15,000 Notre Dame men throughout the world. A thousand of them are in our armed forces. This is in keeping with our heritage of patriotism… Last fall, Admiral, you gave a Navy Day address in Washington Hall. You had never been on our campus before, but you and Notre Dame were not strangers. We had admired you for a long time, and you knew us and our traditions. As Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, you recommended to the Secretary of the Navy the establishment of the Notre Dame unit of the Naval R. O. T. C. Did you know that our students have doubled up to make room for a thousand of your boys-future officers of the United States Navy? They are sitting before me now. Yes, Notre Dame is doing its part. We are in this war as much as you are. But Notre Dame is still operating as Notre Dame. We are training men for America, for today and tomorrow.

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