The Fire Department of New York( FDNY) has recalled its new personal safety ropes one week after it began distributing them to firefighters over safety concerns, the department announced Wednesday, the day set to honor firefighters who perished after jumping from burning buildings.

Firefighters began training on the new ropes last week at the department's training center when a firefighter's rope got caught in the pulley that controls the descent and began to fray.

But some FDNY officials said the firefighter was not using the rope properly. Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said he might have been using techniques from the old ropes that were recalled years ago.

Scoppetta said the department will investigate the reason for the fraying before putting the ropes back into service.

The new safety ropes were introduced after an eight-month testing process following the deaths of two firefighters forced to jump from a burning building in the Bronx.

Lieutenant Curtis Meyran and Firefighter John Bellew are among the firefighters being honored Wednesday at the department's annual Memorial Day Ceremony. They died after jumping from a burning building in the Bronx last January, before the safety ropes were re-issued to all firefighters.

The FDNY's decision to suspend distribution is precautionary, while the department, the maker of the mechanical device and a consultant on the project will work to troubleshoot the equipment, FDNY officials said.

Source: Xinhua