Thank you mack for that story of "The Chief - A Good Fireman" in reply 157.
In the 1980s and 90s, I spent a good portion of time in the area of Engine 92, Ladder 44, and Battalion 17 as a buff. I picked that area because during those years those companies would always be in the top five or so busiest companies in the city. I guess little did those guys know that I had them under surveillance because of the kind of work they were doing.
Going back in those days things were so much different. I remember stopping into the firehouse on Morris Ave right after a serious (fatal) fire down the street around Morris and 164/165 St. A run came in and they took me for the ride. It might have been for ERS no contact. After most of the pull boxes were removed, the neighborhood kids found a new toy to play with. Push the button for a fire on the box and when the dispatcher answers, run away. But that resulted in a response of a single engine company. Like so many other engine companies throughout the city, Engine 92 would be chasing these calls all over the neighborhood. But this was going on as the entire neighborhood was burning up.
The other companies mentioned, Engine 36 (RIP) and Ladder 43 were very busy as well and I often saw many fires in that Harlem area as well. Getting over to that area from 92/44 wasn't too hard to do.
I can also say that from what I saw then, during this very busy time, the moral was very high, just as during the so called FDNY War Years.
As a buff during those days, what a lucky guy I was to be able to see this whole thing. Of course it was certainly a very dangerous time to be a firefighter due to the fact that there was just so many fires.
As a buff during those days, many times I was invited into the firehouse and they didn't even know who I was. I was always so impressed with the Brotherhood throughout these firehouses. At times it seemed like these were just a bunch of kids having a good time at summer camp. BUT - When it came time to go out that door and do their job - THEY WERE SECOND TO NONE.
In the 1980s and 90s, I spent a good portion of time in the area of Engine 92, Ladder 44, and Battalion 17 as a buff. I picked that area because during those years those companies would always be in the top five or so busiest companies in the city. I guess little did those guys know that I had them under surveillance because of the kind of work they were doing.
Going back in those days things were so much different. I remember stopping into the firehouse on Morris Ave right after a serious (fatal) fire down the street around Morris and 164/165 St. A run came in and they took me for the ride. It might have been for ERS no contact. After most of the pull boxes were removed, the neighborhood kids found a new toy to play with. Push the button for a fire on the box and when the dispatcher answers, run away. But that resulted in a response of a single engine company. Like so many other engine companies throughout the city, Engine 92 would be chasing these calls all over the neighborhood. But this was going on as the entire neighborhood was burning up.
The other companies mentioned, Engine 36 (RIP) and Ladder 43 were very busy as well and I often saw many fires in that Harlem area as well. Getting over to that area from 92/44 wasn't too hard to do.
I can also say that from what I saw then, during this very busy time, the moral was very high, just as during the so called FDNY War Years.
As a buff during those days, what a lucky guy I was to be able to see this whole thing. Of course it was certainly a very dangerous time to be a firefighter due to the fact that there was just so many fires.
As a buff during those days, many times I was invited into the firehouse and they didn't even know who I was. I was always so impressed with the Brotherhood throughout these firehouses. At times it seemed like these were just a bunch of kids having a good time at summer camp. BUT - When it came time to go out that door and do their job - THEY WERE SECOND TO NONE.
