11/23/25 Bronx Mutual Aide Box 6300

[nap72]

MVFD Chief asked FDNY for a 95' TL.

FDNY policy is to send 2 engines to feed the TL and send their own FAST truck, as well as a BC - a total response of 2E, 2L & 1BC.

When MVFD was told this, they declined the mutual aid.

That's what happened. No animosity, no big brother/little brother, no pissing match. Just that simple.

 

[nap72]

Those are things a written Mutual Aid agreement should address. How is an FDNY member getting hurt at a Mount Vernon job any different then a Yonkers member getting hurt? Or why would the union care if FDNY is called for mutual aid but not care about other Westchester depts? I assume each dept has its own union.

I know there are many factors to calling mutual aid but it is done with no problems in many parts of North America. When the fire is through the roof (literally and/or figuratively) having the closest units responding is important. Things like hydrant or hose connects can be overcome with having adaptors on hand. There is technology to overcome radio issues, or have the chiefs stand beside each other. FD and PD all over the place are on different radios and still work together.

If Boston and Phoenix can do it so can FDNY

No one said it can't be done by the FDNY - It is done, just not often.

A (Westchester) union would care because contractually their members are entitled to overtime to man additional units to fight these fires and backfill units.

You also said having the closest units responding is important. How come Mt. Vernon doesn't get dispatched automatically to fires north of E. 241 St? Yonkers FD to Riverdale Ave or Broadway? When both departments would beat in every 2nd due unit and maybe even 1st due units. It's because mutual aid is complex. Seems simple but it's just not that simple.

Borders exist in every single municipality. Cities must protect and serve their citizens first and assist other departments when they can.

Bottom line is there is more to it.

 

[OldGoat]

MVFD Chief asked FDNY for a 95' TL.

FDNY policy is to send 2 engines to feed the TL and send their own FAST truck, as well as a BC - a total response of 2E, 2L & 1BC.

When MVFD was told this, they declined the mutual aid.

That's what happened. No animosity, no big brother/little brother, no pissing match. Just that simple.

So requesting a T/L gets a total of 4 rigs and a Chief. Seems like overkill or over billing.

 

[4 truck]

No one said it can't be done by the FDNY - It is done, just not often.

A (Westchester) union would care because contractually their members are entitled to overtime to man additional units to fight these fires and backfill units.

You also said having the closest units responding is important. How come Mt. Vernon doesn't get dispatched automatically to fires north of E. 241 St? Yonkers FD to Riverdale Ave or Broadway? When both departments would beat in every 2nd due unit and maybe even 1st due units. It's because mutual aid is complex. Seems simple but it's just not that simple.

Borders exist in every single municipality. Cities must protect and serve their citizens first and assist other departments when they can.

Bottom line is there is more to it.

Yonkers Fd is on a box with fdny off of riverdale ave with the 52s

 

[4 truck]

So requesting a T/L gets a total of 4 rigs and a Chief. Seems like overkill or over billing.

He literally explained why the response is what it is.

 

[Capttomo]

MVFD Chief asked FDNY for a 95' TL.

FDNY policy is to send 2 engines to feed the TL and send their own FAST truck, as well as a BC - a total response of 2E, 2L & 1BC.

When MVFD was told this, they declined the mutual aid.

That's what happened. No animosity, no big brother/little brother, no pissing match. Just that simple.

Absolutely nothing wrong with this. Have to make sure the members are protected and safe. Too many variables in the mutual aid operation. Thanks for this post of clarification! Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving to all.