Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Cassano, Chief Kilduff, and distinguished guests:

It’s a privilege to be with you tonight on this special occasion. I am deeply honored to accept the Fire Commissioner’s Humanitarian Award. I accept this award tonight on behalf of the nearly 207,000 employees at United Technologies who help make the world safer every day. United Technologies values the work and mission of the FDNY and the Foundation, as well as the courageous efforts of the people who help make New York City strong, safe, and vibrant.

I would also like to acknowledge two United Technologies employees with us this evening who share in your very important work: Fire Chief John Mace with Pratt & Whitney, and Fire Chief Anthony Dynderski at Sikorsky.

There is no other city like New York. It is the heart of world finance, a cultural oasis, and a symbol of freedom around the world. And there is no other organization like the FDNY: the largest municipal fire department in the US, responsible for protecting 8 million residents spread across 230 square miles. As a society, it is important that we recognize you—our true heroes. And this is why United Technologies is proud to support you.

As you saw in the video, I met with commissioner Cassano at Engine 4 / Ladder 15 just two weeks ago. While there, I had the opportunity to sit at the same table that some of you do, and get a glimpse at the world from your vantage point. What impressed me the most was your humility. The rest of us call what you do heroic. But you just call it, “doing our job.”

Engine 4 / Ladder 15, I recently learned, was founded in 1865, but the history of fire fighting in New York City dates back to the late 1600s, when the city was still known as New Amsterdam. At the time, water buckets were made of leather by Dutch shoemakers, and a group of individuals known as “Prowlers” roamed the streets from dawn ‘til dusk. Needless to say, fire fighting in New York City has come a long way.

Today, smoke alarms alert residents of potential dangers. Fire fighters receive extensive training on how to approach different types of blazes. Fire fighting still requires enormous courage. But the equipment now used to fight fires— such as the over 4 thousand miles of hose we sold last year around the world, including the Angus product line —is far more robust than the shoe leather buckets used over three centuries ago. In fact, United Technologies, a proud partner in the effort to fight and prevent fires, is committed to making sure of this.

We work every day to develop technology to improve fire safety, while investing more than $310 million annually in research & development just in our commercial buildings businesses, which includes: Fire & Security, Otis elevators and escalators, and Carrier HVAC.

UTC Fire & Security is a very important part of United Technologies, and a major player in the world of fire safety products. In 2009, our companies produced: 23 million smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; 9 million fire extinguishers; 4.1 million gallons of fire fighting foam; and 24,000 tons of fire fighting powder.

You are probably familiar with some of our brands. For example, you may know Kidde, because of the brand’s 90 year history of innovation. Or you may know it for another reason: every FDNY Fire Academy graduate has used a Kidde fire simulator during training since 1987.

In addition, our Fire & Security business has recently grown with the acquisition of GE Security earlier this year. As a result, we are proud to add Fire & Security products like Edwards to our portfolio, which produces panels that provide early fire detection, including emergency alert. This ensures rapid and accurate response in a variety of environments, including industrial, military, education and healthcare facilities.

Another innovation is our HI-FOG water mist fire suppression system — an environmentally sound way to control fires. When deployed, it uses up to 90% less water than standard sprinklers—and 90% less water means 90% less damage to clean up. In a hotel like this one, that means fewer beds, couches, and chairs to be discarded after a fire, and less clean-up time, enabling the property to begin welcoming guests sooner.

United Technologies is honored that the FDNY has chosen us as a supplier and a partner in the effort to make New York City a safer place to live — and for firefighters to work. We continue to support the FDNY’s mission of educating New Yorkers about fire safety. Through the partnership with WABC-TV, and Operation Save A Life, Kidde has donated 180,000 smoke alarms to NYC families since 2002. We also align with the FDNY’s mission of protecting New Yorkers by advocating for changes to codes and legislation that keep people safe from fire and related hazards.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a great example. In 2004, we actively participated in raising awareness of the new regulation requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residences throughout New York City. And we continued to support these efforts on a state-wide level this year when New York adopted “Amanda’s Law,” requiring carbon monoxide alarms in homes throughout the state.

Nevertheless, a great deal of work still remains in this area. More than 400 people in the US die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s far too many, because these deaths are preventable. Only 27 states have requirements for carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings.

It’s clear that when other cities and states follow the lead of New York, many lives will be saved. In fact, many powerful lessons can be learned from the successes you’ve had in New York City. As an organization that protects one of the biggest cities in the world, the progress you continue to make is a model for the increasing number of urban centers around the world.

You also saw in the video that United Technologies is made up of industry-leading companies working together to make the world more energy efficient, people more secure and travel more comfortable. We’re proud to support our customers – including the FDNY – with world-class technology, from smart elevators from Otis that integrate with fire and security systems to make buildings safer, to helicopters from Sikorsky and aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines that bring people home safely, every day, everywhere, every time.

That being said, Commissioner, I would like to close by presenting you with a gift from the people of United Technologies as a token of our respect and gratitude. I have here a scaled replica of the Sikorsky FIREHAWK. The FIREHAWK is an amazing aircraft that is used around the world in rescues and for fire fighting, specifically known for its ability to perform in the most critical of situations.

As you continue to serve this great city, it is our sincere hope that this replica will act as a reminder of what you clearly know: that nothing is more important than a human life, and that the work you do could not be more valuable, or more important.

Commissioner, when I met with you, you gave me a coin that had a motto on it: “Protecting Life & Property.” But after spending time with you, I also know that firefighters don’t preach about the brotherhood of man – they live it, every day.

Once again, I congratulate you for your bravery, your skill, and your passion. And I thank you for this most meaningful honor.