9/17/25 Brooklyn 5th Alarm Box 1387

Always lots of questions about the super pumper at every big fire. I think people need to shift their view on this, for a couple of reasons. First, the new super pumper (though it does have a large pump) would be better thought of as a foam pumper. If you're asking to see it at every large fire, you're going to be disappointed. Second, a lot has changed in terms of FDNY pumping capability since the days of the old super pumper. For starters, virtually all pumpers are now 2000GPM. On top of that, FDNY's big boats have unparalleled pumping capacity. At a big fire, if you have 25x 2000gpm pumpers, 1x 6000gpm fire boat, and 1x 50,000gpm fire boat, do you really need a 5000gpm 'super' pumper? No. Watch for it at large class b fires and not much else. My 2 cents
 
San Fransico and other large cities have high-capacity pumpers of greater than 5,000 G.P.M. FDNY is the largest and busiest fire department in North America with more major fires than a large number of other cities combined. I know the "new" Super Pumper" is designed for foam operations, but WHY? Do we need to wait for a conflagration to have the FDNY realize that we are at a disadvantage. I worked in the Satellites of the old Super Pumper System from time to time in the 1970's, so I know what the capability was. Yes, the 2,000 GPM pumpers help and so do the FDNY state of the art Fireboats, but a lot of large buildings exist in NYC not near bodies of water or even large water mains, take a look at Breezy Point during Hurricane Sandy and the other major fires and the need is self-explaining. It was a conflagration in Borough of Staten Island (then called Richmond) that caused FDNY to buy the old Super Pumper. It is time NOW, NOT after the next conflagration, to get what is required.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
Last night, #Ladder121 was called to assist operations at a five-alarm fire in a commercial building — Brooklyn Box 1387, 481 Van Brunt St., Red Hook.

#fdny #bestonthebeach #battalion47
—Facebook page
 
HFN01 said:
Always lots of questions about the super pumper at every big fire. I think people need to shift their view on this, for a couple of reasons. First, the new super pumper (though it does have a large pump) would be better thought of as a foam pumper. If you're asking to see it at every large fire, you're going to be disappointed. Second, a lot has changed in terms of FDNY pumping capability since the days of the old super pumper. For starters, virtually all pumpers are now 2000GPM. On top of that, FDNY's big boats have unparalleled pumping capacity. At a big fire, if you have 25x 2000gpm pumpers, 1x 6000gpm fire boat, and 1x 50,000gpm fire boat, do you really need a 5000gpm 'super' pumper? No. Watch for it at large class b fires and not much else. My 2 cents
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Well said. The Super Pumper is in reality an industrial firefighting (foam) apparatus
 
Capttomo said:
Well said. The Super Pumper is in reality an industrial firefighting (foam) apparatus
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Since I originally brought this up, I'll say this. How many foam operations have we had since SP1 was deployed? Very little, so the SP1 will continue to see limited action to the point FDNY will sell it to a Fire Department that needs it. I live in Harlem, but now in Fredericksburg, VA. We need something like SP1 down here in NYC
 
CIDS reflect that this occupancy is/was fully sprinklered.

What happened to the Class 3 water flow alarm? If all you get is a phone alarm for smoke after nightfall on a remote street, you know it's gonna be a long night.

If the OS&Y valve was closed (known to some as the Brooklyn business plan), wouldn't the central station receive a trouble signal?

And a question for the MPO: sprinkler or standpipe....which header gets charged first?
 
I this was not a 6th Alarm or 7th Alarm what is. This nonsense of Special Calling numerous Engine and Ladder companies, above the 5th alarm and not calling it anything above the 5th is just not right. It is misrepresentation of what is really happening, and the unions need to get after this for the good of the FDNY and the citizens of NYC. Also does anyone know of Firefighting Procedures - Loft Buildings - is still in effect.?
Brothers & Sisters Take note of the STARS in the walls of this fire building; the stars are not for decoration they are there to keep a defective wall from bulging outwards. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
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captaindewey50267021@gm said:
I this was not a 6th Alarm or 7th Alarm what is. This nonsense of Special Calling numerous Engine and Ladder companies, above the 5th alarm and not calling it anything above the 5th is just not right. It is misrepresentation of what is really happening, and the unions need to get after this for the good of the FDNY and the citizens of NYC. Also does anyone know of Firefighting Procedures - Loft Buildings - is still in effect.?
Brothers & Sisters Take note of the STARS in the walls of this fire building; the stars are not for decoration they are there to keep a defective wall from bulging outwards. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
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site.alliedbolt.com

Structural Stars: When Strength, Safety & Style Align - Allied Bolt

Domestically made structural stars from Allied Bolt offer real reinforcement for masonry walls—ASTM-grade, galvanized, and fully stocked with accessories.
site.alliedbolt.com
 
captaindewey50267021@gm said:
I this was not a 6th Alarm or 7th Alarm what is. This nonsense of Special Calling numerous Engine and Ladder companies, above the 5th alarm and not calling it anything above the 5th is just not right. It is misrepresentation of what is really happening, and the unions need to get after this for the good of the FDNY and the citizens of NYC. Also does anyone know of Firefighting Procedures - Loft Buildings - is still in effect.?
Brothers & Sisters Take note of the STARS in the walls of this fire building; the stars are not for decoration they are there to keep a defective wall from bulging outwards. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
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Didn’t know that about the stars, thanks for sharing. I thought they were cosmetic for decoration within a 19th century building dating back to the civil war😂
 
Note the Stars information came from a mentor to many of us FDNY Retired Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn former Division 3 Commander and a world known expert on Building Construction for the Fire Service. What happens is as brick or other Masion nary type walls age, they tend to bow outward so heavy steel, or in old building Wrought iron rods or flat bars are attached the floors & sometimes roof joists and Stars and sometimes discs or flat bars or "C" channels are drilled and attached outside the wall and bolts are placed to hold the wall IN so as to stop or arrest and outward bulging or bellying out of the wall/s. If you see this it is a sign the wall are unstable and may collapse as result of fire or even high winds.
"Firefighters Beware." Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
captaindewey50267021@gm said:
I this was not a 6th Alarm or 7th Alarm what is. This nonsense of Special Calling numerous Engine and Ladder companies, above the 5th alarm and not calling it anything above the 5th is just not right. It is misrepresentation of what is really happening, and the unions need to get after this for the good of the FDNY and the citizens of NYC. Also does anyone know of Firefighting Procedures - Loft Buildings - is still in effect.?
Brothers & Sisters Take note of the STARS in the walls of this fire building; the stars are not for decoration they are there to keep a defective wall from bulging outwards. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
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Because they don't transmit Alarms higher than a 5th anymore. Even though the cards go as high as a 10th Alarm

Last Greater Alarm above a 5th Alarm was (Unless I missed it) was April 6th 2021 8th Alarm Box 7864 in Queens

Yet relocators get assigned as the alarms go up and more and more special calleds
 
Signal73 said:
Because they don't transmit Alarms higher than a 5th anymore. Even though the cards go as high as a 10th Alarm

Last Greater Alarm above a 5th Alarm was (Unless I missed it) was April 6th 2021 8th Alarm Box 7864 in Queens

Yet relocators get assigned as the alarms go up and more and more special calleds
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Not counting the 6th Alarm 10-66 in Manhattan a couple of months back, you are indeed correct.
 
Darrell said:
Not counting the 6th Alarm 10-66 in Manhattan a couple of months back, you are indeed correct.
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No 5th Alarm in Manhattan this year so not sure where the info is coming from for a "Few Months Back"

But if I missed something on a map please let me know.

2 in the Bronx and 1 in Brooklyn this year


Think you are thinking of last years Box 1622 11/1/24

But that goes back to the discussion do they then go above a 5th Alarm for 10-66s or is it still a 5th Alarm 10-66 and keep it at a 5th but get a greater alarm assignment just like special calling
 
Signal73 said:
No 5th Alarm in Manhattan this year so not sure where the info is coming from for a "Few Months Back"

But if I missed something on a map please let me know.

2 in the Bronx and 1 in Brooklyn this year


Think you are thinking of last years Box 1622 11/1/24
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Yeah, thinking of 1622.
 
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