Chief of Department Peter Loftus - interesting history

[Atlas]

By no doing of his own, Peter Loftus was the most impotent Chief of Department in the FDNY's history only assuming full authority after three years in the position.

Born in Pollawarla Bofeenaun Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, Mr. Loftus joined the Department in 1920. He moved quickly up the ranks; to Lieutenant in 1925, Captain in 1929 and Battalion Chief in 1934. He moved into position to become Chief of Department after becoming Deputy Chief on August 1, 1938 and placing first on the Civil Service list in 1948.

When the rank of Chief of Staff & Operations was created in 1946, with authority higher than Chief of Department, the upper echelon of the Department went into turmoil. Upon appointment to be Chief of Department in 1947, Chief Harold Burke immediately retired. The post remained vacant until Chief Loftus was appointed on August 1, 1948. However, Chief of Staff & Operations Frank Murphy had total control over the Department, second only to Commissioner Quayle, who opposed Loftus' appointment. On the same day his promotion was placed in the Department Orders, the ranks of Assistant Chief of Department and Deputy Chief of Department were changed to Assistant Chief of Staff & Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations. As a result, nobody reported to the Chief of Department.

This situation continued until a new Mayor and his appointed Fire Commissioner came into office. Commissioner George Monaghan eliminated the rank of Chief of Staff & Operations on January 3, 1951 thereby restoring control to the Chief of Department, Peter Loftus. His responsibilities were diminished again in 1954 under Commissioner Cavanagh who re-structured the Department and moved administrative and personnel responsibilities under a separate unit. Chief Loftus retired and ended his 35-year career in September 1955.

As a member of the Department, at all ranks, Peter Loftus was seen as a true firefighter. He was cited several times, including at the age of sixty when, as Chief, he rescued a firefighter buried in the collapse at a Brooklyn factory fire. His career was not without controversy though. In December 1948, just four months after being appointed Chief of Department, he was charged with dereliction of duty by allowing a raucous Christmas party to take place at the quarters of Engine 33 on Great Jones Street. Alcohol and "women from a Broadway nightclub" were present. After a suspension and departmental trial, he was exonerated and returned to duty.

After his retirement, Chief Loftus continued to reside in Flushing, Queens. He died in Flushing Hospital.

 

[entropychaser]

By no doing of his own, Peter Loftus was the most impotent Chief of Department in the FDNY's history only assuming full authority after three years in the position.

Born in Pollawarla Bofeenaun Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, Mr. Loftus joined the Department in 1920. He moved quickly up the ranks; to Lieutenant in 1925, Captain in 1929 and Battalion Chief in 1934. He moved into position to become Chief of Department after becoming Deputy Chief on August 1, 1938 and placing first on the Civil Service list in 1948.

When the rank of Chief of Staff & Operations was created in 1946, with authority higher than Chief of Department, the upper echelon of the Department went into turmoil. Upon appointment to be Chief of Department in 1947, Chief Harold Burke immediately retired. The post remained vacant until Chief Loftus was appointed on August 1, 1948. However, Chief of Staff & Operations Frank Murphy had total control over the Department, second only to Commissioner Quayle, who opposed Loftus' appointment. On the same day his promotion was placed in the Department Orders, the ranks of Assistant Chief of Department and Deputy Chief of Department were changed to Assistant Chief of Staff & Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff & Operations. As a result, nobody reported to the Chief of Department.

This situation continued until a new Mayor and his appointed Fire Commissioner came into office. Commissioner George Monaghan eliminated the rank of Chief of Staff & Operations on January 3, 1951 thereby restoring control to the Chief of Department, Peter Loftus. His responsibilities were diminished again in 1954 under Commissioner Cavanagh who re-structured the Department and moved administrative and personnel responsibilities under a separate unit. Chief Loftus retired and ended his 35-year career in September 1955.

As a member of the Department, at all ranks, Peter Loftus was seen as a true firefighter. He was cited several times, including at the age of sixty when, as Chief, he rescued a firefighter buried in the collapse at a Brooklyn factory fire. His career was not without controversy though. In December 1948, just four months after being appointed Chief of Department, he was charged with dereliction of duty by allowing a raucous Christmas party to take place at the quarters of Engine 33 on Great Jones Street. Alcohol and "women from a Broadway nightclub" were present. After a suspension and departmental trial, he was exonerated and returned to duty.

After his retirement, Chief Loftus continued to reside in Flushing, Queens. He died in Flushing Hospital.

Didn't he invent some type of hose appliance like a distributor or cellar pipe?

 

[Disp51]

• The Loftus Suction Collector, invented by Chief of Department Peter Loftus (WNYF 1951 / 2nd issue)
• There are some pictures on this site, thanks to member 811 - The Ugliest Rig Ever Built in the Apparatus Section (Pg. 2)

 

[Capttomo]

It was a shame he suffered from impotency much less being the most impotent of all chiefs. Hell if a legacy !

 

[CFDMarshal]

Was he any relations to Joe Loftus?

 

[entropychaser]

Thanks. I knew his name was on something. 33/9 must have been an interesting place to work. As I recall, in George P's autobiography, when he was stationed there in the 1960's, newcomers were advised to stay out of the basement when a certain 2nd Division Chief was working. Plausible deniability was always good. The East Village was a 24/7 circus on all sorts of levels. Even Bob Dylan was impressed. I assume that bucket of water is still out on the balcony

 

[68jk09]

Was he any relations to Joe Loftus?

Yes a Relative of Joe Loftus Active FDNY HazMat BC & Mike Loftus RET R*4 FF.

 

[mack]

 

[mack]

Peter Loftus​

U.S. Army / Fire Department​

Peter Loftus from Mayo Men's Jubilee Edition
Author's Personal Photo

U.S. Army / Fire Department​

This Irishman served with the American army. The NY Fire Department during his long career. He received numerous Citations plus Awards. He was a Leader in the drive for the reduction of fire hazards in multiple dwellings also in the testing of much needed new equipment.

Mayo​

Peter Loftus was born in Pollawaria, Bofeenaun Co Mayo during 1894.

Emigration​

Peter Loftus emigrated to the United Stated during 1915.

Army Service​

Seven days following the start of W.W. 2 Peter Loftus decided to enlist in the United States Army. He served with the 58th Field Artillery in France.

Decorations​

Peter Loftus was decorated twice after battles in Chateau Thierry & Meuse Arginne.

Career​

Following his tour of duty he decided to enter the U.S. Civil Service. So began an eventful yet interesting time with the New York Fire Department at the 14th Division of North Queen’s Fire Service. (29th December 1964 Obituary)

Promotions​

Peter Loftus’s Promotions were gained as the result of competitive Civil Service Examinations. He became a Lieutenant in 1924. A Captain during 1929 then in 1934 promoted to Battalion Chief. He secured the rank of Deputy Chief in 1938. He was appointed Chief of Department during 1948.

Controversies​

Peter Loftus was accused during December 1948 of dereliction of duty by allowing a party at Engine 33 Quarters. He was later exonerated after a Department trial with suspension then returned to duty. Controversies also arose within the political regime as Commissioner Quayle opposed the appointment of Peter Loftus also during 1948.

Restructure​

On the same day that the order was placed with the Department, the ranks of both the Assistant Chief of the Fire Department also the Deputy Chief were changed to Deputy Chief also Assistant Chief of Staff &Operations with the result that no one reported to the Chief of Department! This situation continued until a new Mayor with a new Fire Commissioner came to Office. Commissioner George Monaghan on January 3rd 1951 eliminated the role of Chief of Staff & Operations. This act restored control to Chief Lofus, However again during 1954 his Responsibilities were further disseminated when Commissioner Edward Cavanagh restructured the Department: He transferred Administration & Personal Responsibilities to a separate unit of the Fire Department. Staff & Operations were changed to Assistant Chief of Staff & Operations. (29th December 1964 Obituary)

Awards​

Chief Peter Loftus received several Citations within the Fire Department that also included during May 1954 a Certificate of Merit as a reward for saving the life of a Fireman who had been buried in the collapse of a factory fire. Chief Loftus was the first recipient of the New Award. A tribute was provided by Commissioner Cavanagh as to Chief Loftus’s “acts and his leadership were over and beyond the call of duty and in the full glory of the traditions of the Department.” (29th December 1964 Obituary)

Retirement​

Chief Peter remained with the Department for thirty – five years until his retirement on September 19th 1955 when he moved to at 33 – 11, 145th Street, in Flushing, Queens County. As firemen passed his home, they saluted their former Chief with an extra ‘Hoot’ of the horn!

Demise​

Peter Loftus’s demise occurred 28th December 1964 when he was aged seventy years old at Flushing Hospital. His funeral Service was held in St. Andrew’s Avellino Church, Flushing. He is interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Flushing.

Personal Effects​

During a rubbish removal of premises by Di Mola Brothers in Ridgewood, New York Boots worn by Chief Loftus also a framed Certificate were discovered.

Peter Loftus

U.S. Army / Fire Department

www.ouririshheritage.org

 

[mack]

 

[mack]

NY Times

PETER LOFTUS, 70, FIRE CHIEF, DEAD; Head of City's Uniformed Force From 1948 to 1955​

Dec. 29, 1964


Peter Loftus, the city's fire chief from 1948 to 1955, died yesterday at Flushing Hospital, in Queens, of a coronary thrombosis. He was 70 years old and lived at 33‐11. 149th; Street, Flushing.

Mr. Loftus retired in September, 1955, after a 35‐year career that was at times stormy.

He was a smoke‐eater of the old school, a big, brawny, axe-wielding fireman who was at his best when he was leading his men into a burning building. He was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland, which was also the birthplace of former Mayor William O'Dwyer. Mr. Loftus joined the Fire Department in 1920 and became a lieutenant in 1925, a fire captain four years after that and a battalion chief in 1934.

His elevation to deputy chief came on Aug. 1, 1938. While he was in command of the North Queens fire forces (the 14th Division), in. 1948, he was placed fourth on the Civil Service eligibility list for fire chief. It was said later that a World War I disability—arthritis induced by lifting heavy shells—caused him to be placed automatically at the top of the list. In July of that year Mayor O'Dwyer appointed him to the chief's post, against the wish of Fire Commissioner Frank T. Quayle.

Mr. Loftus had been chief for only a few months when a widely publicized “fire‐house Christmas party affair” burst about his ears.

On Christmas Day of 1948 there was a party in a fire house on Great Jones Street. Strong drink flowed and women from a Bowery nightclub entertained. Chief Loftus sanctioned the party or, at any rate, failed to stop it.

An accident involving a fire truck and another vehicle outside the firehouse resulted in a suit for damages against the city and brought the party to light.

The chief was suspended and brought to trial. In the end the suspension was lifted and he was returned to duty with a reprimand.
Mr. Loftus supported the campaign of Vincent R. Impelliteri for Mayor. After Mr. Impellitteri's assumption of office in 1950, his Fire Commissioner, George Monaghan, abolished the post of chief of staff and operations, thereby making the chief the de facto head of administrative as well as firefighting operations. However, four years later, Mayor Wagner's Fire Commissioner, Edward F. Cavanagh Jr., who is now Deputy Mayor, appointed a new chief of personnel and administration, stripping Mr. Loftus of all but his fire‐fighting leadership.

It was generally agreed that this was what he did best. During his long career, he won many awards, and even as chief at the age of 60 he performed an act of heroism at the site of a blaze.

In May, 1954, Mr. Cavanagh announced the establishment of an award for distinguished work by uniformed firemen. It was called the Certificate of Merit and the first award went to Chief Loftus for his participation in the rescue of a fireman who had been buried in falling wreckage during a Brooklyn factory fire.

In the citation, Mr. Cavanagh said that Chief Loftus's ‘‘acts and his leadership were over and beyond the call of duty and in the full glory of the traditions of the department.”
The colorful and controversial aspects of his career tended to obscure his long and devoted service in the department. He was a” leader in the drive for the reduction Of fire hazards in multiple dwellings and in the testing of much new equipment.

In 1955 the fire chiefs pay was raised to $15,000, but Chief Loftus enjoyed the increase only until Sept. 19, when he retired on an 58,000 pension, after a much‐publicized dispute over the amount of pension he should get.

In recent years he did much gardening—raising flowers and tomatoes—and house repairs. And each time a fire engine passed, the firemen saluted their former chief with an extra “toot” of the siren.

Mr. Loftus leaves his wife, Mrs. Margaret Daly Loftus, and a daughter, Helen Loftus.

The body will be at the Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home, 149‐20 Northern Boulevard, Flushing. A solemn mass of requiem will be held at St. Andrew Avellino Church, 158th Street and Northern Boulevard, at 10:15 A.M. Thursday. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Flushing.

PETER LOFTUS, 70, FIRE CHIEF, DEAD; Head of City's Uniformed Force From 1948 to 1955 (Published 1964)

www.nytimes.com

 

[mack]

The Loftus Suction Collector, invented by Chief of Department Peter Loftus (WNYF 1951 / 2nd issue)

 

[68jk09]

• The Loftus Suction Collector, invented by Chief of Department Peter Loftus (WNYF 1951 / 2nd issue)
• There are some pictures on this site, thanks to member 811 - The Ugliest Rig Ever Built in the Apparatus Section (Pg. 2)

Loftus Suction Collector carried on the old CD Rigs into the early '60s....