If this is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, it definitely prompts a great discussion. If I can springboard off of TA176’s post above: the signal 10-75 was developed and implemented many decades ago, during a time which experienced greater staffing of 1-2 more members on each rig, a time when traffic congestion was a lot less, a time when FDNY was NOT responding to CFRD runs and the drastic increase in emergencies other than fires, a time when fires were not as hot, not as rapidly spreading and not producing as much smoke as today. Shuffle forward to today. The staffing has decreased, and the bunker gear has brought on heavier , bulkier, and generally more body heat Retainment than the old lighter weight Scott 4.5s, pull-up boots (or work boots for truck men) and coat. The traffic has increased exponentially all around the city, and many areas are seeing these traffic calming devices etc which further slow rigs down. Add to that that as opposed to 50 years ago, there is a greater chance of one or more of the initial assigned companies to a box being out of their response area due to increased training at the rock, medicals, and increased changeovers to spare rigs ( high tech, NFPA interlocks and electronics definitely have increased rigs being out of service) results in the companies need to fill out the initial assignment are often coming from greater distances. Companies tied up on CFR runs, CO runs, Elevator removals, etc also add to a “missing company” on the Initial box having to be filled with a company coming from a greater distance.
Today’s modern fires burn hotter, faster and produce tremendously more volumes of smoke than the legacy fires of 40 - 50 years ago. Flashover in as little as 4 minutes as opposed to legacy fires of time to flashover of 30 minutes. The tremendous increase in volume and toxicity of the smoke in today’s fires, coupled with modern energy efficient building construction demands an even greater need for additional truck companies at almost any significant fire in a MD, mixed occupancy or high rise. Lastly there is the data. There is an old saying liars can figure and figures can lie. The Rand Corporation data and studies of the 1970’s were a disaster for FDNY. But if one carefully exams how many times Chiefs are calling for an extra 1 and 1 , or transmitting an additional alarm, and looking at response times in certain areas, it most likely indicates that there is a need to get additional resources out on the street and into these boxes more quickly- thus revising and upgrading the 10-75 signal as suggested. Times, geography, the physical operating environment, staffing, company availability, travel times, travel distances, Fire behavior, and building construction are all factors that have significantly changed since the last revision of the signal 10-75. Seems like a very logical and practical move to increase member safety and increase the public’s safety. Just my observations and opinion. Happy Easter. Stay safe