‘Who you gonna call?’ FDNY and Ghostbusters team up for fire safety and new film promotion in Lower Manhattan

There was something strange in the neighborhood Thursday, and the Ghostbusters answered the call — as did the Fire Department.

New York’s Bravest teamed up with members of the classic movie franchise on March 10 to promote fire safety while also unveiling a transformed iconic Ladder 8 firehouse in Lower Manhattan, which doubled as the Ghostbusters’ headquarters in the first two films.

Cast members from the Ghostbusters franchise joined hundreds of fans at Ladder 8, located at 14 Moore St., to celebrate its transformation as an icy wasteland to celebrate the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Hundreds from all across the world gathered in costume to see large shards creep up the side of the building, while a statue of a man stood bound in ice feet from a tricycle that had been frozen solid.

In addition to scoring a pair of tickets to the premier, fans were also able to meet Director Gil Kenan, Ernie Hudson, Mckenna Grace, and Logan Kim who signed autographs and posed for photos.

While those backing the newest iteration in the franchise saw the process as a unique way to spread word of the movie, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said it made the perfect opportunity to showcase the importance of fire safety.

Throughout the day firefighters and EMTs taught attendees how to save lives by initiating CPR and even how to use a defibrillator to kick-start a person in need’s heart. This led to the astounding sight of people dressed as ghostbusters performing chest compressions.

“I really hope the public comes by and enjoys this but also that they come by and learn something on the way — save a life, save a family member’s life,” Commissioner Kavanagh said. “It is nice to have a happy event to celebrate our work.”

Fans were also given an opportunity to win tickets to the premiere of the film by illustrating their devotion to the franchise by displaying their tattoos and their finest hand-made ghost hunting gear.

“This is Ghostbusters, we are a community of weirdos from all over the world who get together every few years to save this city and it’s incredible looking around seeing all of these bright faces. It’s a reminder of why we tell these stories,” Director Kenan said.

Fans from all over the world, including Wales, Australia and throughout the United States traveled to, what many of them call, the Ghostbuster Mecca, in honor of the new film’s release this month.

Andrew Evans, 46, brought his son, Adam Evans, to New York City all the way from Anglesey, Wales to celebrate his 18th birthday in the town where battling paranormal activity was born.  Both father and son shared that they bond over the films, both the originals and remakes.

“Ghostbusters is big all around the world. It is good to come here and see where they actually filmed it and now to see it all in live action with my son for his 18th birthday,” Andrew Evans said. “It is brilliant. Ghostbusters means the world to everybody.”

The film brings everything back to the original location within Lower Manhattan’s Ladder 8, where original cast member Hudson says the fans have supported him and the series for over four decades.

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