Thank you for that engrossing write up, being a former member of E 88 was particularly interesting for me. Vinny Dunn often writes about his time as a young Lt with E 33 at the 23rd St fire. He arrived at the command post with the Lt from E 18, the Chief randomly selected E 18 and not Vinny to...
Trained on them early on...how to hold the poles, position the poles etc...it was more about reinforcing teamwork as it required 4 members. I can put that ladder up in my sleep, of course with three other sleep buddies....
I took the test and was called in 1978 I was #4 on the list, went to NH for finger prints, etc. Next thing Chief tells me he can't hire me, nice man, almost had tears in his eyes. He told me the city's mayor (or someone like that) would not allow anyone from out of state to be hired. He took me...
I think you are referring to Dave Russell, I worked with him as a FF in L 112, he got promoted and eventually worked at L 32 (maybe E 62) before he retired. (Dave in middle).