Fire rescue takes brave hearts, Mr Putin said, adding that he hoped the Russian and US fire services would step up their partnership.
He laid a bunch of red carnations on the memorial of firemen who died on September 11, 2001.
The President had his photograph taken with Russian and American firemen and made an entry in the academy visitors’ book. He was given a helmet and a uniform jacket inscribed on the chest, “President Vladimir Putin”. As return gifts, the academy received a souvenir helmet of Gzhel porcelain and a genuine antique helmet.
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg accompanied Mr Putin.