An interesting thing about the "disbanding" of Engine 208 and of Engine 88-2 at the same time was that they were not "discontinued" in the Job's usual parlance, but "redesignated."
But although they were redesignated, the members were still transferred on the order.
It seems everyone in 208 was transferred to Engine 167 while almost everyone in 88-2 went to Engine 72.
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Maybe it's just semantics but it was unusual.
The termination of one unit designation to establish another unit designation, at the same or a different location is generally a redeployment.
The termination of a unit in one location to establish a new unit with the same designation in a different location, while officially considered a disbanding and new organization, is commonly accepted as a simple relocation. (Engine 206 from Pearl St, Brooklyn to Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn.)
The change of one unit number to another number of the same unit type, in the same location is simply renumbering. (Battalion 31 renumbered as Battalion 41)
The termination of one unit number and type to a different number of the same or different type but in a different location is a redesignation. (Engine 208 to Engine 167, Engine 244 to Ladder 55)
A unit that was disbanded that is re-established at a later date is reorganized. (Engine 294 disbanded - Engine 294 reorganized 10 years later (1st time))
A unit that was disbanded to establish a new unit with a previously used number is also a reorganization. (Engine 11 to reorganize Engine 91-2)
One example of many is provided for each situation. The key is whether the particular units' timeline is terminated, interrupted, or re-established.
For Engine 208 consider.
Established as volunteer Constitution Engine 7 in 1828. - volunteer company timeline
Organized as Engine 8 of the Brooklyn Fire Department in 1869. - new timeline
Engine 8 renumbered as Engine 108 of the FDNY in 1899. - timeline continues.
Engine 108 renumbered as Engine 208 in 1913. - timeline continues.
Engine 208 disbanded to establish Engine 167 in Staten Island in 1972. - Engine 208 timeline ends.
But wait!
Engine 167 was established in Queens in 1905. Engine 167 timeline begins.
Engine 167 renumbered to establish Engine 267 in 1913. - timeline continues.
Whose timeline?
Engine 208's timeline? Which one? Engine 167's timeline? Which one? NEITHER
But there's more!!!
Engine 208 was established originally in Staten Island in 1905. - Engine 208 timeline begins.
Engine 208 renumbered as Engine 158 in 1913. - timeline continues.
Got it? There's even more!!!!!
Engine 158 was established in Long Island City Queens in 1899 from Queens Engine 58 which was established from Long Island City Engine 1. timeline continues.
As you can see, unit numbers have been used and reused all over the city and sometimes the same numbers existed in two different areas of the city at the same time
To avoid twisting timelines together and tying knots in them, timelines need to be cut and ended before being reused.
So is Engine 167 a continuation of Engine 208? Not really. Engine 208 was disbanded. Engine 167 was re-established, but not in the same time place or boro as before. Same rig, same people, but new company.
And while we're at it. . .
Engine 88-2 was redesignated as Engine 72, both in the Bronx in 1972.
But !
Engine 72 was organized in Manhattan in 1900. - timeline begins.
Engine 72 was redesignated to organize Engine 41-2 in the Bronx in 1957. Engine 72 timeline ends, Engine 41-2 timeline begins.
Engine 41-2 disbanded in 1958. - timeline interrupted.
Engine 41-2 reorganized in 1968. - timeline restarted.
Engine 41-2 was redesignated as Engine 66. - Engine 41-2 timeline ends. Engine 66 timeline restarted.
Why?
Because Engine 66 timeline began in Manhattan in 1898. - new timeline.
Engine 66 was redesignated as Marine 6 in 1959. - timeline continues.
As you can see, the Engine 66/Marine 6 timeline has not been interrupted from 1898 to the present. But the timeline has become entangled and twisted with the Engine 72/Engine 41-2/Engine 66 timeline.
That is why unit history timelines need breaks during unit redesignations.