Huge fire in London

L.F.B. a great Fire Brigade true professional. If they struggled with this fire what does that say to all of us. Brothers and Sisters learn what must be done this type of fire can and does happen here in the states. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
On arrival Make Pumps 10, then 20 finally 40.
4 turntable ladders including 64 metre (209 feet) ones. 7 Fire Rescue Units. Similar as on this site, difficult to get staff car identities. People know them but keep them to themselves.
 
In UK, the following is the assistance procedure.
I had a fatal house fire in neighbours house in April. First attendance (FDNY 1st Alarm). brought three pumps. A make pumps 6 and an Ariel brought 3 extra pumps and a Combined Platform Ladder ( FDNY Tower Ladder).
Therefore the London fire, the first attendance which I think was 3 or 4 pumps and an Ariel , wanted the attendance to be 10 pumps , so a further number of pumps up to ten were dispatched. Once the fire was further assessed a Priority Message Make Pumps 20 a further 10 pumps were dispatched. Like wise 20 pumps to 40 pumps brought a further 20 pumps. With your revised system in FDNY, this would have gone to a 5th Alarm, then further "Special Requests" to arrived at 40 engines. Hope this explains UK system.
 
For comparison: In London on 7th September, 1940....the first day of The Blitz-

From Station Officer Gerry Knight of Pageant's Wharf in the Docklands area to his watchroom:

"Send every bloody pump you've got. The whole bloody world's on fire!"

The three Firewomen on duty reportedly were more shocked by the "language" used than the size of the request.

By morning, there was a 300 pump fire at the Surrey docks, a 200 pump fire at Woolwich Arsenal, five 100 pump fires; no functioning water mains, power or telephones, and all "out of hand".

Standing wartime order: All fires to be extinguished by nightfall.
 
Well known BC for a Virginia department had two former London Fire Brigade members that were now members of his department. They would call him over the radio and say "Make Pumps 4" more as an aggravation!
 
Of interest, the famous fire at Windsor Castle some years ago was a "Make Pumps 35 " !
 
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