In addition to the Code 3 Collectibles that I hope to add photos of here, like Brad, "signal 73", I also collected fire dept patches. Particularity several of the FDNY Company patches. Each with their own design and character.
I first started collecting those patches when they were on display at a place called; "Roz's". Roz was a woman who had opened up a store in the Bronx for the purpose of selling FDNY, NYPD, and EMS uniforms, equipment, etc, to the members of those depts.
She opened her first store on Kingsbridge Ave in the Bronx, almost across the street from the NYPDs 50th Pct. It became one of my regular stops before chasing the fire trucks. She was always very good to myself, or any of my buff buddies who came along. She would always talk to us about what is going on, even if we didn't buy anything
Later she decided to open her store at a different location because the rent went up on Kingsbridge Ave. So she moved to Eastchester Ave in the Bronx, across from the 49th Pct this time.
Roz would sell FDNY company patches and that is how I built up my collection. Eventually, I hope to take pictures of these patches for the members to view. (Sorry, THEY ARE "NOT" FOR SALE).
Of the patches I have, some companies no longer exist - Engine 85, Engine 232.
Engine 41 is now Squad 41.
Rescue 3 was quartered with Engine 93/Ladder 45/Battalion 13 at the time.
Engine 71 was on Park Ave, now on Melrose Ave
My FDNY Company Patch collection includes:
Manhattan:
Engine 10, Engine 21, Engine 58/Ladder 26, Engine 59/Ladder 30, Engine 93
Bronx:
Engine 41, Engine 50/Ladder 19/Division 6, Engine 71, Engine 82, Engine 83/Ladder 29, Engine 85/Ladder 59, Engine 88, Engine 92, Engine 96/Ladder 54, Ladder 27, Ladder 31
Brooklyn:
Engine 201, Engine 211, Engine 232/Ladder 176, Engine 235, Engine 246/Ladder 169, Engine 254, Engine 280, Engine 330/Satellite 3, Ladder 108
Also: Rescue 3, Haz Mat 1, Super Pumper
In addition, these other Company Patches:
Philadelphia - Engine 19/Ladder 8/Battalion 9
Philadelphia - Engine 43/Ladder 9/Rescue 7M
Boston - Ladder 20
Ladder 20 was located on South Hampton St near the shops. A well known buff hangout called: "Whip City" - due to the large buff scanner antennas on the numerous cars that would park in a nearby Howard Johnsons. The guys on Ladder 20 knew that and an extra tap on the air horn going by was always appreciate by the guys in that parking lot.
Bridgeport, Ct - Truck 5 (now called Ladder 5).
My brother was assigned to that very busy Ladder Co for a few years during Bridgeport's own set of War Years in the late 1970s and the 80s. He became Lt and within a week or two he responded a few blocks away as the first due "Truck Co" to the L'Ambiance Collapse. A 12 story building under construction in April, 1987, killing 28 construction workers.
That incident, would bring in members of the FDNY, Dade County, and Fairfax County, Urban Search and Rescue teams
Each Company Patch has a story behind it by its picture or wording. Some examples:
E58/L26 - The Fire Factory
E59/L30 - The Harlem Zoo
E71 - The Pride of Park Ave
E83/L29 - da'Bums on da'Hill
E85/L59 - Tin House South Bronx
E88 - First Due at the Zoo
Ladder 108 - Pride of Williamsburg
Engine 232/L176 - Tin House Gang
Engine 235 - The Eye of Bed Stuy
Engine 280 - In the Eye of the Storm