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Read the press release here.

What Seems Familiar About the New FDNY Logo?

By  Ben Fractenberg and Murray Weiss | February 4, 2015 2:49pm 

 The 150th Anniversary FDNY logo, as designed by Firefighter Richard Miranda.
The 150th Anniversary FDNY logo, as designed by Firefighter Richard Miranda.
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FDNY

MIDTOWN — If the Statue of Liberty logo on the FDNY's new patch looks familiar, that's because it is  — the department adopted the logo that the Rangers use for their alternate away jersey.

The patch was designed by veteran firefighter and Rangers fan Richard I. Miranda, assigned to Rescue 1 in Manhattan, and revealed at a ceremony in December.

According to sources, Miranda told FDNY officials that several years ago he redecorated his 12-year-old son's room with logos of his child's favorite teams, including the Rangers. 

When Miranda, who has been a firefighter for 17 years, began to design the new logo for the patch he wanted to include an image of Lady Liberty and used the Rangers logo he had saved on his computer, which fit perfectly, the source added. 

 The Statue of Liberty in a new FDNY logo appears to be based on the one used in the New York Rangers alternate logo. 
The Statue of Liberty in a new FDNY logo appears to be based on the one used in the New York Rangers alternate logo. 
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Composite

While Miranda and many in the FDNY are Rangers fans, the logo is more about the Statue of Liberty as an "enduring symbol of freedom and New York City," an FDNY spokesman said.

Miranda was one of the first responders to the Harlem gas explosion and helped pull survivors out of the rubble, The New York Times reported.

The logo, also used on the department's Twitter feed, was one of two unveiled in December to celebrate the FDNY’s 150th anniversary, according to a spokesman. It was chosen out of about 30 designs submitted.

It was not immediately clear if the issue of the logo looking similar to the Rangers logo came up during or after the competition, but the fire department decided to check with the Rangers after an internal discussion, according to sources. 

"The Rangers were good with it," one source said.

Madison Square Garden said that the department checked in ahead of unveiling the new logo.

"The FDNY shared its new commemorative logo with us in advance and we thought it was great," an MSG spokesman told DNAinfo New York.

"The New York Rangers are proud supporters of the FDNY and our Garden of Dreams Foundation works closely with the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York."

One source sardonically observed that symbols like the Statue of Liberty are very widely used.

"It is an image of the Statue of Liberty," the source said, "do we need to consult the French for permission as well?"

The patch also features the Tribute in Light, the art installation displayed each year on the 9/11 anniversary, and the new 1 World Trade Center.

The logo will be available as a limited edition patch for $5.99 starting Feb.7, according to the FDNY online shop. It will not be worn by firefighters, who will use the offical department logo. 

All proceeds will go to the FDNY Foundation, which supports fire safety and CPR training for New Yorkers. 

The yearlong anniversary celebration will include a series of free events throughout the summer including fire safety education.

Miranda could not be reached for comment.