jbendick
Administrator
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
- Messages
- 110
My Early Buff Years.
My early buff years were spent going to fires in Yonkers N.Y. It all started for me when I was old enough to join the Civil Defense. In Yonkers we had a Civil Defense Rescue Squad, organized during the 1950?s. This was at the height of the cold war. There were squads all over the country, mostly manned by members of Veteran Posts.
My father was named chief of the Yonkers Unit because of his experience as a fireman during the 2nd World War. His job was to fight fires during and after bombing raids. At one incident he was blown off the engine when an ammo dump exploded. It was also for his close association with the Yonkers Fire Department. As a child during the depression, he was always doing things with the fire dept. Being from a large family, 11 children, food was pretty scarce. He started as a young boy running errands for the firemen at Headquarters. Eventually they became like godfathers.
In the late fifty?s, besides training and going to large scale drills, they started going to multiple alarm fires and emergences. We converted a work truck into a searchlight truck and also assisted in setting up fire lines. We would watch to see if anyone needed assistance. We weren?t there to do fire duty. It was forbidden to operate a line or even touch a hook.
When I entered Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx at age thirteen, I was allowed to go to fires with the stipulation that I had to go to school the next day. In 4 years I never missed a day.
Being that the two rescue trucks were stored in the quarters of Engine 9 in Yonkers, I was aware that we were guest in their house. I treated everyone with the upmost respect. I never left the apparatus floor unless I was invited. My father reminded me of whatever I saw or heard there, stays there.
By going to fires I started to realize who the real hero?s in life were. It started me on a journey to where I wanted to become a Yonkers Fireman. I got to see some great firemen in a great department. I was amazed on how much fire a 3 man engine co could put out, in a short time.
My real buff days lasted until I went into the Army. Prior to being discharged from the service, I took the test for the FDNY. Having a high number on the list, I also was able to take the agility test. Thank God I was in the best shape of my life. Being only 5?6?, my toughest event was the 8? wall. By shear desire and the grace of God, I was successful in going over the wall.
After getting out of the service on August 8th, 1968 I got the notice that I would be hired by the FDNY. My first official day on the job was Sept.14th 1968. Hard to imagine that one month after leaving the Army at age twenty one I was on the job. On this date 34 years later, my son Thomas was also appointed to the FDNY. It?s true when they say it?s in the blood all 3 of my sons were on the job.
I thank my parents for their love and guidance. I also thank my wife Madeline and my children for their support during my career. Because of my love for the job and the FDNY, I was able to give my family a good life. Finally I thank God because without Him none of this would be possible.
My early buff years were spent going to fires in Yonkers N.Y. It all started for me when I was old enough to join the Civil Defense. In Yonkers we had a Civil Defense Rescue Squad, organized during the 1950?s. This was at the height of the cold war. There were squads all over the country, mostly manned by members of Veteran Posts.
My father was named chief of the Yonkers Unit because of his experience as a fireman during the 2nd World War. His job was to fight fires during and after bombing raids. At one incident he was blown off the engine when an ammo dump exploded. It was also for his close association with the Yonkers Fire Department. As a child during the depression, he was always doing things with the fire dept. Being from a large family, 11 children, food was pretty scarce. He started as a young boy running errands for the firemen at Headquarters. Eventually they became like godfathers.
In the late fifty?s, besides training and going to large scale drills, they started going to multiple alarm fires and emergences. We converted a work truck into a searchlight truck and also assisted in setting up fire lines. We would watch to see if anyone needed assistance. We weren?t there to do fire duty. It was forbidden to operate a line or even touch a hook.
When I entered Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx at age thirteen, I was allowed to go to fires with the stipulation that I had to go to school the next day. In 4 years I never missed a day.
Being that the two rescue trucks were stored in the quarters of Engine 9 in Yonkers, I was aware that we were guest in their house. I treated everyone with the upmost respect. I never left the apparatus floor unless I was invited. My father reminded me of whatever I saw or heard there, stays there.
By going to fires I started to realize who the real hero?s in life were. It started me on a journey to where I wanted to become a Yonkers Fireman. I got to see some great firemen in a great department. I was amazed on how much fire a 3 man engine co could put out, in a short time.
My real buff days lasted until I went into the Army. Prior to being discharged from the service, I took the test for the FDNY. Having a high number on the list, I also was able to take the agility test. Thank God I was in the best shape of my life. Being only 5?6?, my toughest event was the 8? wall. By shear desire and the grace of God, I was successful in going over the wall.
After getting out of the service on August 8th, 1968 I got the notice that I would be hired by the FDNY. My first official day on the job was Sept.14th 1968. Hard to imagine that one month after leaving the Army at age twenty one I was on the job. On this date 34 years later, my son Thomas was also appointed to the FDNY. It?s true when they say it?s in the blood all 3 of my sons were on the job.
I thank my parents for their love and guidance. I also thank my wife Madeline and my children for their support during my career. Because of my love for the job and the FDNY, I was able to give my family a good life. Finally I thank God because without Him none of this would be possible.