Satellite Ops

[Sfdc111]

When a satellite is assigned to a job via run cards, if the satellite isn’t utilized at that job, do the members assigned to the satellite stay with the rig, or do they join their normally assigned engine company and operate? Thank you for any input.

 

[DaveReinstein]

They’re assigned on the all hands in SI and 2nd alarm in the other boro’s. They report into the command post for orders. Ice heard that if they don’t use the manifold they help finding hydrants for other units

 

[HFN01]

My understanding from listening to interviews several officers from satellite companies is they first respond as a satellite unit (engine and second piece) for water resource purposes, and if they aren't required for that purpose, the whole company reports to the command post and is available to operate as an engine.

Regarding the above, just a couple of additions on satellite assignments: they are also assigned on boxes in the Brooklyn Naval Yard, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, and on 10-75 on City Island and Riverdale, plus anytime a Marine company is operating at an all hands fire (source: operational reference guide).

 

[Signal73]

Regarding the above, just a couple of additions on satellite assignments: they are also assigned on boxes in the Brooklyn Naval Yard, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, and on 10-75 on City Island and Riverdale, plus anytime a Marine company is operating at an all hands fire (source: operational reference guide).

As well as All ALL Hands in Staten Island

 

[Skyler Fire]

If the fire is still DWH usually they are not used for firefighting as there might be a chance they still might be used for satellite or manifold. I have seen when the fire is close to PWH or PEH they may use them for searches or relief. They also assist with long stretches.

 

[68jk09]

In the FDNY there is no hard & fast rule what the SAT ENG Company does if the SAT Rig or the Manifold is not needed but they are on the scene....it is at the Incident Commander's discretion ....in my former BN I had 324 / SAT*4 & if the SAT Rig or the Manifold was not needed & there was serious FF to do I always tried to utilize them for some FF.....I felt this was good for Company morale rather than have them respond to many jobs & stand fast & then just take up.

 

[Sfdc111]

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate the info.

 

[Captain784]

If the need is there the members of the Satellites, Engine Company often help other units with helping with stretches, but insure they are alible to quickly return to the Rigs for whatever duties they are assigned as a Satellite Engine Company. I worked many times in Manhattan's Satellite 1 in the early 1970's. A few times we were near another fire while returning from a job we assisted at the new fire until other units arrived.
In the 1960s and early 1970's the Satellites responded with only 2 firefighters and no Engine Co. The Satellite officer responded with one firefighter in an old Chief's car, to any fire that 2 Satellites or the Super Pumper Was Operating, or a Satellites was operating supplied by a Fireboat/Marine Unit. In 1974 or 75 I was detailed to Satellite 1, and we assisted in the rescue of a young girl trapped on the floor above the fire floor. Firefighters (Then Firemen) always do what firemen do when needed. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

 

[Sfdc111]

If the need is there the members of the Satellites, Engine Company often help other units with helping with stretches, but insure they are alible to quickly return to the Rigs for whatever duties they are assigned as a Satellite Engine Company. I worked many times in Manhattan's Satellite 1 in the early 1970's. A few times we were near another fire while returning from a job we assisted at the new fire until other units arrived.
In the 1960s and early 1970's the Satellites responded with only 2 firefighters and no Engine Co. The Satellite officer responded with one firefighter in an old Chief's car, to any fire that 2 Satellites or the Super Pumper Was Operating, or a Satellites was operating supplied by a Fireboat/Marine Unit. In 1974 or 75 I was detailed to Satellite 1, and we assisted in the rescue of a young girl trapped on the floor above the fire floor. Firefighters (Then Firemen) always do what firemen do when needed. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retiredView attachment 39735

So during that time the Satellite’s were their own company and not cross staffed by their house engines?

 

[CVILLE7111]

So during that time the Satellite’s were their own company and not cross staffed by their house engines?

That is correct. Satellites 1,2,3, and a Satellite Officer were all part of the Super Pumper System. That all changed in 1975 with budget cuts.

 

[Atlas]

The Satellites play a major role in foam operations. Each of the 6 rigs carry over 30 -five gallon cans of foam. Most of them have cans of Hi-Ex foam while years ago their loads were mixed. In the past 10 years, FDNY revamped the foam program and now use Alcohol Resistant - Aqueous Film Forming Foam. The 6 units also carry foam nozzles, besides Hi-Ex foam generators.

 

[DC327]

Few times I covered in 207, the satellite got us to a 2-2. Check in with I/C… if they didn’t need us for the manifold or the satellite itself, I always try to relieve an engine or have the guys stretch a line. Esp. On attached frames. Maybe we could get a piece if the chief was willing to put us to work 😀

 

[Captain784]

The Satellites also carry an "Angus Foam Cannon" that allows large amount of AFFF and other types of foam in large quantities for major foam operations. As the brothers said above the most common use of the Satellite was to use the large 4 1/2" Now 5" in combination with the Satellite Manifolds. Photo below. I worked in Satellite 1 when just 2 firefighters were assigned per tour and then latter as a Firefighter in Tower Ladder 18, in the then very busy 4th Battalion and worked details or overtime in Engine 9 that was quartered with and responded with Satellite 1 after 1975.
A few times in the early 1970s I worked in the Super Pumper then quartered with Engine 211 on Hooper St. Near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

 

[jloonz]

They should combine the satellite and the Super-pumper to become a two piece company

 

[Skyler Fire]

They should combine the satellite and the Super-pumper to become a two piece company

Well there is 6 satellites. They do work together.

 

[jloonz]

That’s not what I was talking about at all or referring to

 

[CVILLE7111]

Satellite response question for our FADs out there. When the primary engine is not available, what determines if the backup engine is dispatched or another Satellite? I saw a job recently in Chinatown where 9 Engine was first due. When the 2-2 came in, 207 Engine with Satellite 6 responded. I believe 24 Engine is the primary backup. Thanks!

 

[Captain784]

It turned out with the old Mack Super Pumper System the Satellites all responded from different sections of the city. A Satellite/s could arrive on the 2nd alarm stretch 4 1/2" (NOW 5" Hose) and be in a position to be supplied by the Super Pumper when the Super Pumper arrived, on or above the 3rd Alarm. The Satellites were therefore in a betted position to deploy the Satellite Manifold &/Or Their Inteligiant Deck Gun Monitor, for a very large Caliber stream. If the really large 8,800 GPM Monitor on the Cab of the Super Pumper tender was needed it could be supplied by the large diameter hose that the Satellite/s had already positioned. The old Mack Superpumper Tenders trailer also carried almost 1/2 Mile of 4 1/2" Large Diameter Hose. All of this was not used often but below is a photo of a fire in Bushwick when it was all used. The fire, in July 1977, at one point involved 33 Large Buildings. On Bottom Right is the Super Pumper tender Operation monitor in operation at this 11th Alarm Fire. I was at this fire as a member of Tower Ladder 18, we responded on I think the 6th Alarm as an additional Tower Ladder.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.

 

[JA290]

Satellite response question for our FADs out there. When the primary engine is not available, what determines if the backup engine is dispatched or another Satellite? I saw a job recently in Chinatown where 9 Engine was first due. When the 2-2 came in, 207 Engine with Satellite 6 responded. I believe 24 Engine is the primary backup. Thanks!

Either, E24 was unavailable
Or it’s a sat6 box because 9 is 1st.