ENG*212 / UTILITY UNIT*1 / THE PEOPLES FH.

[68jk09]

In the ENG*212 video at the 4:38 minute mark is a map showing staggering loss of Fire Protection starting in 1959 ....none of which has ever been replaced even though 60 yrs later the neighborhood has expanded exponentially.. A CRIME......there is no mention of the closing of ENG*209 & BN*34 who also bordered the area.
www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=zHPDQDq0o8Y

 

[CFDMarshal]

Great clip! I wish people would educate themselves now and speak up for the service. It seems that many don't care until we are needed.

Does anyone know the number if they were to re-activate the companies closed in these areas that are now experiencing a new growth and revival?

 

[nfd2004]

In the ENG*212 video at the 4:38 minute mark is a map showing staggering loss of Fire Protection starting in 1959 ....none of which has ever been replaced even though 60 yrs later the neighborhood  has expanded exponentially.. A CRIME......there is no mention of the closing of ENG*209 & BN*34 who also bordered the area.
www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=zHPDQDq0o8Y

That was a very tough time as blocks of neighborhoods were burning down throughout parts of the city.

Chief JK, maybe you can help us here. That "People's Firehouse" is now the quarters of Squad 1, correct.

And I'm sure you can help us with this concern of a threatened fire house closing as well. That was the closing of Engine 41 in the Bronx. As I remember it, there was some political action and some action from the neighborhood that actually "interfered" with the operations of the firehouse. As I understand (and remember some of it), "that was a battle from ALL Sides and a very difficult time for months".

Later Engine 41 would to be referred to as "Enhanced Engine 41" and would respond similar to what we know as a Squad Co today. In fact, that was the beginning of Squad 41 as we know of it today.

But it wasn't easy and it was a long, difficult process.

They certainly were VERY DIFFUCULT DAYS for the FDNY. Firefighters as well as citizens followed these stories as they could later affect neighborhoods in other cities as well.

I remember my father telling me, who was a firefighter in Bridgeport, Ct at the time, that "even during the GREAT DEPRESSION, firehouses weren't closed and firefighters weren't laid off". In fact, Bridgeport also closed some fire companies following NYC. That city also threatened to lay off 20 firefighters but that was avoided.

Many other cities closed companies as well, despite people dying and neighborhoods burning down.
 

 

[1261Truckie]

Willy,
Squad 1 is quartered in the former firehouse of Engine 269 which is in Park Slope. The Peoples' Firehouse was Engine 212's firehouse and is in Williamsburg.

 

[nfd2004]

Willy,
Squad 1 is quartered in the former firehouse of Engine 269 which is in Park Slope. The Peoples' Firehouse was Engine 212's firehouse and is in Williamsburg.

Thank you Jim, now I remember.

Also just to add, didn?t Engine 212 also have the only Hi Ex Foam Unit in the city in their quarters.

 

[1261Truckie]

Indeed, they did

 

[fdhistorian]

Great clip! I wish people would educate themselves now and speak up for the service. It seems that many don't care until we are needed.

Does anyone know the number if they were to re-activate the companies closed in these areas that are now experiencing a new growth and revival?

Historically, earlier company numbers have been re-used for new companies.  Re-established companies, after more than 4 years absence, include 4, 38, 39, 66, 69, 72, 85, 89, 154, 232, 251, 294, 326, 331 and 332, also ladders 10, 16, 18, and 53.  Engines 154, 294 and Ladder 53 were simply reorganized in their original quarters after more than 4 years, while the others were new companies in different quarters.

 

[fdhistorian]

Willy,
Squad 1 is quartered in the former firehouse of Engine 269 which is in Park Slope. The Peoples' Firehouse was Engine 212's firehouse and is in Williamsburg.

Thank you Jim, now I remember.

Also just to add, didn?t Engine 212 also have the only Hi Ex Foam Unit in the city in their quarters.

Squad 7 shared quarters with Engine 212 for a few years.

 

[t123ken]

Historically, earlier company numbers have been re-used for new companies.  Re-established companies, after more than 4 years absence, include 4, 38, 39, 66, 69, 72, 85, 89, 154, 232, 251, 294, 326, 331 and 332, also ladders 10, 16, 18, and 53.  Engines 154, 294 and Ladder 53 were simply reorganized in their original quarters after more than 4 years, while the others were new companies in different quarters.

Shouldn't Ladder 105 (as Brooklyn Ladder 5) be on that list?

 

[fdhistorian]

Historically, earlier company numbers have been re-used for new companies.  Re-established companies, after more than 4 years absence, include 4, 38, 39, 66, 69, 72, 85, 89, 154, 232, 251, 294, 326, 331 and 332, also ladders 10, 16, 18, and 53.  Engines 154, 294 and Ladder 53 were simply reorganized in their original quarters after more than 4 years, while the others were new companies in different quarters.

Shouldn't Ladder 105 (as Brooklyn Ladder 5) be on that list?

Yes, Brooklyn FD Ladder 5 was disbanded for 12 years before being reorganized in a new location.  Thanks.

 

[Rich M]

Great video. I spotted my Grandmother at the 9:42 mark marching. She owned one of the few PD’s on North 6 Street between Kent and Wythe. Grandma has long since passed. I’ll have to take a look to see if the building is still standing today.

Looks like it’s still there. #53

 

[Lebby]

Was doing some research on E*36 and found this great article highlighting the 2003 company closures. Of note is Paul Veneski, a civilian activist who like this father stormed E*212 in the hope of saving it from closure. A cruel lesson in history repeating itself.

Some Firehouses Go Quietly, Some With Rage (Published 2003)

www.nytimes.com

 

[skiLB]

Was doing some research on E*36 and found this great article highlighting the 2003 company closures. Of note is Paul Veneski, a civilian activist who like this father stormed E*212 in the hope of saving it from closure. A cruel lesson in history repeating itself.

Some Firehouses Go Quietly, Some With Rage (Published 2003)

www.nytimes.com

Still a dam shame, had opportunity to work some of those houses on a detail, always a good time.

 

[baileyjeff]

212 needs to reorganized so does 261, those areas are booming!

 

[mack]

The company established, Utility 1, had unique response limitations. FDNY staffed the unit but it was not assigned to respond to alarms as an engine company in that firehouse would. I think they had Superpumper support responsibilities and also responded to certain types of fires. The people got their firehouse reopened and staffed but did not have an engine that could respond to fires in their neighborhood. I think responsibilities of Utlliity 1 expanded until finally Engine 212 was reorganized as a regular engine company. It was a confused situation, very political, and I never understood the details. Utility 1 operated from March 1977 to June 1978. Engine 212 operated from 1978 until disbanded again in 2003.

 

[CFDMarshal]

Check your disband date