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- Sep 7, 2020
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Nationwide the fire service often has different terms for the same equipment. Ex: booster line = redline = reel line = jump line. It’s interesting to see how FDNY terms were not only different than many other places but also endured the test of time even after the original piece of equipment for which it was named was replaced, upgraded, or different manufacturer:
Some Examples:
multiversal - a three inlet beast made of solid brass for the most part - it was a portable master stream with a set of stacked tips capable of flowing 600-800-1000 GPM. Originally they were mounted on the roofs of the 1950’s and 1960’s Mack C cabs. When the Mack CF’s came on the job in the late 1960’s they were equipped with a 2 inlet portable Stang that was locked in place on top of the pump house but could be removed and used with a folding grate for ground use. Yet many on the job still called it a multiversal. Later as the Seagrave pumpers came on the job a fixed deck gun was put in place along with the separate Akron ground monitors. - yet even to this day occasionally you will hear a progress report with the term “ multiversal in operation”.
Mask - Prior to self contained breathing apparatus- the fire service used the Chemox oxygen generating mask - when SCBA came into being , and the majority of the country called them airpaks or SCBA, FDNY continued to use the term Mask . To this day many members still call the entire scba a mask.
hook - going back to the 1800’s the hook and ladder companies used hooks to pull burning thatched roofs. The term continued to be used for centuries. In the mid and late 1900’s most fire departments were using the term pike pole. E.g. “ can we get some guys in here with pike poles to pull ceilings”. FDNY continued to use the term hooks. Today with the advent of many different types of hooks starting with the FDNY roof hook, then the plaster hook, trash hook, San Francisco hook, etc. ironically the generic term hook is being utilized more and more again
roll ups - a folded length of 2-1/2” (and now a 2” length as well) for shoulder carry at standpipe operations. Many departments call these hotel packs (Memphis), hi rise packs, standpipe packs, etc.
Roof rope - lifesaving rope in a bag carried to the roof - Many departments call them lifelines, life safety ropes etc.
Handi Talkie - this was a specific model of Portable Motorola radio with attached shoulder microphone that was used by FDNY in the 60’s and 70’s. Since 1980, FDNY has gone through many newer and different model Motorola radios - currently using the Apex model. FDNY members commonly use the term handi talkie to denote a portable radio even though the handi talkie was phased out 40 years ago.
the continued use of these terms helps perpetuate history and tradition - which we should all be doing with the newer members. Great stuff. Stay well all.
Some Examples:
multiversal - a three inlet beast made of solid brass for the most part - it was a portable master stream with a set of stacked tips capable of flowing 600-800-1000 GPM. Originally they were mounted on the roofs of the 1950’s and 1960’s Mack C cabs. When the Mack CF’s came on the job in the late 1960’s they were equipped with a 2 inlet portable Stang that was locked in place on top of the pump house but could be removed and used with a folding grate for ground use. Yet many on the job still called it a multiversal. Later as the Seagrave pumpers came on the job a fixed deck gun was put in place along with the separate Akron ground monitors. - yet even to this day occasionally you will hear a progress report with the term “ multiversal in operation”.
Mask - Prior to self contained breathing apparatus- the fire service used the Chemox oxygen generating mask - when SCBA came into being , and the majority of the country called them airpaks or SCBA, FDNY continued to use the term Mask . To this day many members still call the entire scba a mask.
hook - going back to the 1800’s the hook and ladder companies used hooks to pull burning thatched roofs. The term continued to be used for centuries. In the mid and late 1900’s most fire departments were using the term pike pole. E.g. “ can we get some guys in here with pike poles to pull ceilings”. FDNY continued to use the term hooks. Today with the advent of many different types of hooks starting with the FDNY roof hook, then the plaster hook, trash hook, San Francisco hook, etc. ironically the generic term hook is being utilized more and more again
roll ups - a folded length of 2-1/2” (and now a 2” length as well) for shoulder carry at standpipe operations. Many departments call these hotel packs (Memphis), hi rise packs, standpipe packs, etc.
Roof rope - lifesaving rope in a bag carried to the roof - Many departments call them lifelines, life safety ropes etc.
Handi Talkie - this was a specific model of Portable Motorola radio with attached shoulder microphone that was used by FDNY in the 60’s and 70’s. Since 1980, FDNY has gone through many newer and different model Motorola radios - currently using the Apex model. FDNY members commonly use the term handi talkie to denote a portable radio even though the handi talkie was phased out 40 years ago.
the continued use of these terms helps perpetuate history and tradition - which we should all be doing with the newer members. Great stuff. Stay well all.
