FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies - 2nd Section

mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


Engine 35 BFD organized 206 Monroe Street 1895
Engine 35 BFD became Engine 35 FDNY 1898
Engine 35 became Engine 135 1899
Engine 135 became Engine 235 1913
Engine 235 moved 850 Bedford Avenue at Ladder 102 2008
Engine 235 moved 206 Monroe Street 2008

Battalion 57 organized 206 Monroe Street at Engine 235 1969
Battalion 57 moved 850 Bedford Avenue at Ladder 102 2008
Battalion 57 moved 206 Monroe Street 2008

Fuel Tender organized 206 Monroe Street at Engine 235 1923

Squad 3 organized 206 Monroe Street at Engine 235 1955
Squad 3 moved 701 Park Avenue at Engine 230 1966
Squad 3 disbanded 1975
Squad 3 reorganized 701 Park Avenue at Engine 230 1975
Squad 3 disbanded 1976


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


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HISTORY OF ENGINE 235 FIRE DEPARTMENT NEW YORK BY MIKE BOUCHER

Over 100 years ago, Engine 235 was not known as 235 and was not part of the Fire Department of New York. It was the 35th engine company placed in service by the City of Brooklyn, the fourth largest city in the country at the time. The Brooklyn Fire Department was organized on September 15, 1869 with a paid force of thirteen engine and six ladder companies. They replaced fifty-three volunteer fire companies that protected only half of what is Brooklyn today. The rest of Brooklyn was made up of small towns that had their own fire departments and were annexed by Brooklyn in 1894.

Engine 35 was placed in service on July 1, 1895 in new quarters at 206 Monroe Street. Also on the same day, Engine 36 was placed in service in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Both companies were added to fill in the gaps in fire protection. Engine 35 filled the hole between Engine 9 to the north, Engine 22 to the east, Engine 14 to the south and Engine 19 to the west.

The 25-feet wide by 100-feet deep lot was purchased on August 28, 1894 from the Bedford Bank of Brooklyn for $3,000. The new building cost $16,365 to build. The three-story firehouse had a single door for the exit of the apparatus. On the first floor, a house watch desk was located to the right of the apparatus door and an entrance doorway was located to the left of the apparatus door. A one-story addition for the horse stalls was attached to the rear. Behind the station was a one-story building to store the feed and hay for the horses. On the second floor in the front were the Captain's quarters and office. The rest of the floor was the bunkroom and lockers for the crew. The third floor was a sitting and recreation room.

Engine 235's first horse drawn apparatus was a new 1895 LaFrance 3rd size steamer that could pump around 500-600 gallons per minute. In 1917, the company received a new 1917 Robinson 700 gpm piston pumping engine, thus ending the era of horse-drawn engines. Over the years, Engine 235 has used apparatus built by American LaFrance, International, Mack, Seagrave, and Ward LaFrance. Today the company responds with a 1994 Seagrave that can pump 1000 gallons per minute.

Today, Engine 235 shares its quarters with Battalion 57. Battalion 57 was organized on November 29, 1969 to help cover the heavy workload of the area.

Three members of Engine 235 have been awarded medals for rescuing people trapped in fires. The Brooklyn Citizens Medal went to Lieutenant John D. McDonald for a rescue he made on January 17, 1943. A second Brooklyn Citizens Medal was awarded to Lieutenant William J. McGraw on January 13, 1952. Firefighter Dennis W. Williams received the Chief Wesley Williams Medal for a rescue he made on March 3, 1985. In addition, Battalion Chief Raymond M. Brown of Battalion 57 earned the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal for heroic work on August 29, 1982. Also, Engine 235 has earned 25 Unit Citations for teamwork at fires over the years.

Two members of the house have been killed in the line of duty protecting the citizens of New York City. Fireman Ernest J. Marquart of Squad 3 died from injuries he received while operating at Brooklyn Box 670, located at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Walworth Street, on June 26, 1964. Fireman James W. Robertson of Engine 235 suffered a heart attack on July 8, 1975 while operating at a second alarm Fire at 1190 Fulton Street.

Engine 235 was the first company to be trained for CFR-D when the Fire Department took over Emergency Medical Services in 1995. The first day, Engine 235 responded to 25 EMS runs and two 'All Hands' fires in a 24-hour period.

Engine 235 has been faithfully protecting the citizens of Brooklyn for over 100 years, regardless of the number, whether 35, 135 or 235. As the community changed from rural to densely populated, the dedication of the members in the firehouse on Monroe Street has never changed. No matter what the need is, whether air in a bicycle, a safe haven for a child, a cut Finger or a battle with the 'Red Devil,' Engine 235 can be and will be counted on to serve with pride and dedication.
 
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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


Engine 235 building designer - Peter J. Lauritzen

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Peter J. Lauritzen, although not as well known, or as prolific as some of his contemporaries, was an exceptionally fine architect. He was born in 1847, in Jutland, Denmark, and was educated in Copenhagen. He immigrated to Washington, DC, in the late 1860’s, and worked for the supervising architect of the Treasury Dept. In 1875, he was appointed architect for the city of Washington, DC, and from 1875 to 1883 did double duty as the consul for the Danish government.

He left DC in 1883, and came to NY. His boldness, and great designs, led to many buildings in Brooklyn during the late 1880’s and 1890’s.

Lauritzen designed eight engine and truck houses for the Brooklyn Fire Department between 1894 and 1897 in the classic Romanesque Revival Style. The Brooklyn Fire Department merged with FDNY in NYC's 1898 consolidation. Five of Lauritzen's firehouses still exist, and are among the finest firehouses built in NYC. They include: E 235/Bn 57 (BFD E 35); E 236 (BFD (E 36); E 237 (BFD E 37); E 240/Bn48 (BFD E 40/H&L 21); Engine 249/L 113 (BFD E 49/H&L 23).


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


1980s
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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895


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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


206 MONROE STREET FIREHOUSE - BUILT 1895

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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235

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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235

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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235

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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57







 
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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


BATTALION 57

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"

SQUAD 3 - 206 MONROE STREET 1955-1966 DISBANDED

1955 - IN SERVICE WITH MODIFIED 1940 MACK HOSE WAGON
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1958 - METRO VAN
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1966 - LIMO
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1960S - SQUAD 3 1ST DUE - NO PUMPER

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1969 - MACK CF PUMPER
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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


FUEL TENDER - 1923


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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235 MEDAL


JOHN D. MC DONALD LT. ENG. 235 JAN. 17, 1943 1944 BROOKLYN CITIZENS


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The Brooklyn Citizens Medal went to Lieutenant John D. McDonald for a rescue he made on January 17, 1943 at great personal risk.



FIRE BUILDING 119 HANCOCK STREET

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MEDAL DAY 1944

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mack

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235 MEDAL


WILLIAM J. MC GRAW LT. ENG. 235 JAN. 13, 1952 1953 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

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MEDAL DAY 1953

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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


ENGINE 235 MEDAL


DENNIS W. WILLIAMS FF. ENG. 235 OFF DUTY MAR. 3, 1985 1986 WILLIAMS


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FF Williams, Engine 235, was off-duty when he rescued 3 children from a burning apartment at 88 Clinton Street, Brooklyn. FF Williams was awarded the Williams Medal in 1986.


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ENGINE 235/BATTALION 57 FIREHOUSE 206 MONROE STREET BEDFORD STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN DIVISION 11, BATTALION 57 "THE EYE OF BED STY"


BATTALION 57 MEDAL


RAYMOND M. BROWN BC. BATT. 57 AUG. 29, 1982 1983 LANE

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Battalion Chief Raymond M. Brown of Battalion 57 earned the Captain Denis W. Lane Memorial Medal for heroic work on August 29, 1982.



MEDAL DAY 1983

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RAYMOND M. BROWN FF. RES. 1 - DEC. 22, 1966 RESCUE

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EXTRACT FROM DIVISION 7 TRAINING AND SAFETY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2018

The other group of firefighters was led by Fr. Raymond Brown. He sized up the collapse and intuitively thought that the best chance of finding the trapped firefighters was to start tunneling through the front rubble and follow the stretched hose line. Fr. Brown started working from the front of the building. Lieutenant Alexy left one other firefighter with Fr. Brown. The other firefighter left Fr. Brown to go assist the firefighters working with the jack hammers in the “Blarney Stone Bar” (exposure 4). Fr. Brown was working by himself.

Fr. Raymond Brown went back to Rescue 1’s apparatus and obtained a chain saw. He cut a “Kerf Cut” in the knee high wall that was below the show window. He then started tunneling into the rubble. Historical Note: The circular “Partner Saw” was not put in-service in the FDNY until 1967.

Shortly after the rescue efforts began, two firefighters were found in the front of the building. Rubble was removed allowing the rescue to happen. One of the firefighters, Fr. Fred Weiss had a broken leg. He fell from the roof to the third floor. Seven Firefighters were still unaccounted for and presumed trapped. As it turns out, the trapped Firefighters were trapped in a “V” shaped void deep into the building.

Firefighter Brown tunneled his way into the rubble. He kept searching for the trapped firefighters until he made voice contact with them. He kept digging by hand and using hand tools. He removed some more rubble and uncovered the eye of Fr. Robert Siddons looking at him. He freed him from the rubble and removed him. The tunnel was twenty feet from the front of the building. The time was 2320 hours. The cries of “Get us out of here” were heard. Fr. Brown shouted back to them: “Don’t worry, we’ll get to you! We’ll get to you!

Soon after making voice contact with the trapped men, a violent gas explosion from a leaking gas line occurred. The floor beams below Fr. Brown failed and he fell about four feet. Fr. Brown extricated himself and he crawled out of the tunnel to re-group. Orders were given to shut the curb valve in the street.

Fr. Ray Brown re-entered the tunnel before the gas was shut down. He knew that the fate of the other trapped firefighters required the digging and searching to continue. Fr. Brown quickly made his way back into the tunnel where he was working before. Lieutenant Alexy kept making his way into the tunnel to provide shoring for Fr. Brown’s efforts.

As Fr. Ray Brown was digging, orders were being shouted from the street to “get out” of the building. Those in the street were fearful of the front wall of the building collapsing. The front wall is a nonbearing wall and is inherently less stable than a bearing wall. Firefighter Brown returned to the street again.

Firefighter Ray Brown from Rescue 1 received permission to re-enter the tunnel and dig for the trapped firefighters. He made his way to where he was before and was able to dig deeper. Fr. Brown used saws to cut through the timbers. The rubble above him shifted and came down toward Fr. Brown. This secondary collapse was due to the cutting and vibration from the tunneling operation. Fr. Brown continued to cut and tunnel his way in. His dogged efforts were bringing him closer the trapped firefighters.

The rescue effort was in full swing. Firefighter Ray Brown was tunneling in from the exposure 1 side of the building going deeper and deeper into the rubble. The breaching operation from the Blarney Stone Bar was slow because the bearing walls in both buildings had to be breached. By the time the breaching operation had been completed, Fr. Brown had tunneled past their location.

Firefighter Brown’s efforts were paying off. He found several trapped firefighters. He found the second trapped firefighter at 2330 hours. He found the third at 2343 hours. He found the fourth at 2345 hours. He found the fifth at 2346 hours. He found the sixth at 2347 hours. He grabbed and dragged each firefighter through the tunnel he created. He made six trips into the collapsed rubble to drag the trapped firefighters to the sidewalk.

At around 2335 hours, the third and fourth floors collapsed. This caused great anxiety because the rescuing and tunneling operations were in full swing when secondary collapse occurred. The trapped firefighters were being dragged out of the rubble at this time.

There was one firefighter that was still trapped; Harry Fay. The sixth firefighter that was rescued told Fr. Ray Brown that Fr. Fay was still in there. Firefighter Fay was trapped under broken timbers and debris. He was entangled in a large heater that had to be cut in order to extricate him. He was about 50 feet deep into the building. The rescue effort was focused on tunneling in to the rubble from the street. The rescuing Firefighters braced the 3 foot x 4 foot tunnel as they went. The tunnel began filling with smoke from the still smoldering fire.

Firefighter Harry Fay was found in the rubble. He was stunned and buried in rubble and in a large heater. No other firefighters were allowed into the rubble due to fear of the tunnel collapsing. Lieutenant Erwin Alexy of Rescue 1 came into the tunnel to assist Fr. Brown. Fr. Ray Brown was near exhaustion. Lieutenant Alexy relieved Fr. Brown on a “Sawzall Saw”. Fr. Brown remained in the tunnel to assist Lieutenant Alexy. Finally, Fr. Harry Fay was freed after Fr. Brown cut off Fr. Harry Fay’s boot. He was dragged out to the street by Fr. Brown and Lieutenant Alexy.

The rescue effort to find and dig out the trapped firefighters took over three hours. Much of the three hour rescue effort was performed while Fr. Brown was laying in the rubble in either a prone or supine position cutting and digging by hand. Fr. Ray Brown could not turn around in the tunnel, the area was too small. When he had to return to the front of the building with a trapped firefighter, he had to back out of the tunnel.

https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/awesome/2018/02/February-2018-Avenue-of-the-Americas.pdf

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