TACTICAL CONTROL UNITS

[Fireinfo101]

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What are the Tactical Control Units? What was their purpose? What are there equivalent's today in the FDNY?

Thanks.

[1261Truckie]

TCU's were organized to augment the regular companies during the War Years (i.e. a period of tremendous running and fire duty). They were engine companies and truck companies which operated during high incidence times (3:30 PM to 12:30 AM) and were meant to get more manpower into areas that needed additional companies. They also provided some relief for the existing companies.. The apparatus used by TCU's were stored in outlying areas and driven to their assigned houses for duty. At the end of their shift, the men and apparatus would return to the firehouse where the rig was stored and then do it over the next day.
I do not believe there is an equivalent in today's FDNY 

[mack]

TCUs - Truck Companies:

[raybrag]

TCU engine:

[nfd2004]

 There was a book that came out called: "The Fires - how a computer formula, big ideas, and best intentions burned down New York City" by Joe Flood. I believe in that book there is some mention of the TCUs.

 I think Amazon still has it.

[raybrag]

And, of course, many mentions of Ladder 712 in Dennis Smith's classic Report from Engine Co. 82.

[turk132]

WNYF 1/70

[68jk09]

In the 4 photos in reply # 2 above .....photos 1 & 2 show TCU*712  in front of their operating Qtrs with 82/85/31 & BN*27.. their non operational storage Qtrs was ENG*43..........photo 3 shows TCU*731 in front of their storage Qtrs ENG*288 ..during operational hours they were at 209/102/BN*34......photo 4 shows TCU*732 the only ALF RM (which originally was Maroon until the Shops repainted it Red a few years later) on Myrtle Ave by their storage Qtrs of 286/135..their operational Qtrs was ENG*277......The storage Qtrs were in a slow area & where the TCU Rig was stored during their Non operational hours & were the TCU Men would report to & park their cars & change clothes then take the Rig to the Operational Qtrs & respond almost non stop during the Adaptive Response hours .....the TCUs were in service to relieve the workload of busy Units & add availability during the busy hours however i was in 108 then & we were bracketed by 731 & 732 & it was so busy then that they really did little to reduce our running but did add an additional Truck to the area.   

[STAjo]

 Informative, and comprehensive stuff, men.

 Great work, Many Thanks to  turk132, Chief 'jk', mack, ray & all the rest of da' Gang !