FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies - 2nd Section

Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
5,754
Clyde Williams, Ladder 25, was one of two firefighters (along with FF Frank Martinez - Ladder 27) featured on an FDNY Recruitment poster for a Firefighter test to be given on December 3, 1977.

I am not sure but that might have been the first test given after the FDNY closed several companies throughout the city due to a budget crisis.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
nfd2004 said:
Clyde Williams, Ladder 25, was one of two firefighters (along with FF Frank Martinez - Ladder 27) featured on an FDNY Recruitment poster for a Firefighter test to be given on December 3, 1977.

I am not sure but that might have been the first test given after the FDNY closed several companies throughout the city due to a budget crisis.

1977 Recruiting Poster:

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 301/Ladder 150 firehouse 91-02 197th Street  Hollis, Queens  Division 13, Battalion 54  "Hollis Hogs"

    Engine 301 organized 91-02 197th Street former volunteer firehouse w/Ladder 150    1921
    Engine 301 moved 218-44 97th Avenue at Engine 304                                              1932
    Engine 301 moved 197th Street                                                                              1932
    Engine 301 new firehouse 91-02 197th Street w/Ladder 150                                      1933

    Ladder 150 organized 91-02 197th Street former volunteer firehouse w/Engine 301    1921
    Ladder 150 moved 197th Street                                                                              1931
    Ladder 150 new firehouse 91-02 197th Street w/Engine 301                                      1933


Pre-FDNY:

    Hollis was protected by the Hollis Fire Department - 1890 to 1921.

          Columbia Hose 1 Iroquois Street & Jamaica Avevue                               

          Hollis Ladder 1 Woodhull Avenue & Warren Street

             


Engine 301/Ladder 150 organized:

   


91-02 197th Street:

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 301:

   

   

   

   


Ladder 150:

   

   

   

   


Engine 301/Ladder 150:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7G9dyOWGgU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhBCdxW2Glc

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COFcP4vPPms



Medals:

    JAMES R. MC ENROE FF. LAD. 150 MAY 16, 1985 1986 CRIMMINS

       

    MICHAEL J. UZZI CAPT. LAD. 150 DEC. 18, 1987 1988 COLUMBIA

    THOMAS P. KUEFNER LT. LAD. 150 MAR. 2, 2001 2002 COMPANY OFFICERS

         

          1315 hours Box 75-5459  The incident building, located at 91-35 193rd Street, was a seven-story, non-fireproof, multiple dwelling, containing 85 apartments with a fire on the top floor.While responding, Ladder 150 was notified that people were trapped on the rear fire escape. On arrival, Lieutenant Kuefner and the inside team raced into the building and found that the elevator car was not in the lobby. Believing that speed and decisive action were necessary, Lieutenant Kuefner led his team, including FFs Sean Sammon (can) and Michael J. Razukiewicz (irons), up the seven flights of stairs to the fire floor.

    Before the team reached the second floor, they were notified of a trapped victim hanging out the window of the fire apartment and enduring a heavy smoke condition. Reaching the fire floor, the Lieutenant and Firefighters found a medium smoke condition with the main amount of smoke emanating from the north end of the hall at apartment 6-L.

    Before forcing the door, Lieutenant Kuefner roped the apartment?s doorknob to better control it, knowing it would be some time before a hose-line could be brought into action (due to the long and difficult stretch up scissor stairs). As the door was forced, the members encountered a heavy smoke condition and--with a new supply of oxygen entering the apartment--the fire immediately intensified, engulfing the kitchen and going over the rescuers? heads.

    FF Sammon opened the can to try to hold back the fire, while Lieutenant Kuefner and FF Razukiewicz crawled into the inferno to search for the victim. As Lieutenant Kuefner probed straight ahead, he heard the distinct sound of glass breaking and realized it must be from the outside vent man. He turned to feel for another room and on hearing cries for help to his left, he found the bedroom. Entering the room, he found Mervin Berrian halfway out the window and highly agitated. To keep Mr. Berrian from jumping to his death, Lieutenant Kuefner forcibly grabbed him and tried to calm him. However, due to the heavy smoke and heat condition in the rest of the apartment, Lieutenant Kuefner knew the victim could not be removed until the fire was knocked down.

    Therefore, the Lieutenant ordered FF Razukiewicz to exit the room, close the door behind him and stay with FF Sammon until the can was empty. At that time, they were to vacate the apartment, ensuring that the door did not lock behind them.

    Lieutenant Kuefner then stayed with the victim, forcibly holding onto him until the fire was knocked down and the smoke and heat condition subsided. Mr. Berrian, suffering from smoke inhalation, then was assisted from the apartment and taken by EMS personnel to Jamaica Hospital.

    In his report of the incident, Deputy Chief Rup of Division 13 noted that Lieutenant Kuefner?s action ?...placed him at unusual personal risk by going past the fire without the protection of a hose-line. By sheltering the victim in place, he also put his path of exit in jeopardy in the calculated risk that an Engine Company would extinguish the fire quickly.?


Engine 301 LODD:

    FIREFIGHTER GEORGE L. BYRNE ENGINE 301 February 6, 1931

        Fireman George L. Byrne of Engine 301 was killed when he was crushed between the apparatus door and the apparatus as it was leaving quarters. Engine 301 was responding by itself to a grass fire at Farmers Boulevard and Highbee Avenue when the accident happened. Fireman Byrne never regained consciousness and died on the operating table at Mary Immaculate Hospital.

    RIP.  Never forget.


Hollis:

    http://www.hollisny.com/history.htm

    http://forgotten-ny.com/2010/11/hollis-hills-queens/

   


   

 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
TWO ALARM FIRE WITH DOA, 207-15 JAMAICA AVENUE, QUEENS, HOLLIS - 1990

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_JpWTUkiW0
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Hollis 2nd Alarm w/Mayday - 2014:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74q4iGKRAgQ
 
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
16,230
^^^ LT Tom Kuefner LAD*150 mentioned above in a Meritorious Act in 150  ....another proby Classmate of mine from 1968....a FF in LAD*155 & LT in LAD*112 prior to LAD*150.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 278 firehouse 5011 7th Avenue Sunset Park, Brooklyn  Division 10, Battalion 40          DISBANDED

    Engine 278 organized 5011 7th Avenue in new firehouse                1913
    Engine 278 disbanded                                                                  1975
    Engine 278 reorganized 5011 7th Avenue                                      1975
    Engine 278 disbanded                                                                  2003

    Battalion 40 located 5011 7th Avenue at Engine 278              1917-1975


5011 7th Avenue firehouse:

   

   

   


5011 7th Avenue EMS 40:

   

   

   


Engine 278:

   

   

   


Engine 287 Medals:

    FREDERICK J. B DARE FF. ENG. 278 MAR. 14, 1964 1964 1965 TREVOR-WARREN

         

    ROGER A. B JACKSON FF. ENG. 278 JUN. 24, 1991 1991 1992 ZAHN

         


Engine 278/Battalion 40 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER JOHN E. MILLER ENGINE 278 November 24, 1925

          FF John E. Miller was killed when Engine 278 collided with Engine 247 while responding to a movie theater fire.  Another firefighter from Engine 278 also died from injuries from the collision.

         

    FIREFIGHTER PATRICK DALY ENGINE 278 November 26, 1925

          FF Patrick Daly died as a result of his injuries responding to a movie theater fire when Engine 278 collided with Engine 247.

    FIREFIGHTER FRANK A. KOBER ENGINE 278 January 29, 1955

          Fireman Frank Kober of Engine 278 died in the hospital one day after sustaining a heart attack while on duty.

         

          FF Frank A. Kober was a World War II veteran - MOMM/3C US NAVY/WORLD WAR II

    FIREFIGHTER WILLIAM P. KELLY ENGINE 278 December 27, 1967

         

    JOHN A. SLOWEY BATTALION 40 August 1, 1934

          Battalion Chief John A. Slowey died in his home after being treated in the hospital for smoke inhalation. He was allowed to go home on sick leave. He collapsed at home and never regained consciousness. He was fifty-seven years old and a member of the Department since June 8, 1901. Chief Slowey was married and the father of six daughters.

         

         

         


Sunset Park:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Park,_Brooklyn



   

   

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 278 - Closure 2003:


NY Post: FDNY MOVES ENGINE CO. TO AXED B?KLYN STATION
By Dan Kadison
June 3, 2003 | 4:00am

The Fire Department temporarily moved an engine company into the quarters of a Brooklyn unit that was disbanded by the city last month.
Engine Co. 282, whose Borough Park firehouse is undergoing an extensive renovation, was ordered yesterday to report to the former home of Engine Co. 278 in nearby Sunset Park.
Engine 278 and five other engine companies were closed down on May 25 because of budgetary cutbacks.

Battalion 40, a two-man team that shared space with Engine 278, is still operating out of the building.

?With this move, 282 is being moved closer to their original response area, and they?ll be able to assist and handle calls 278 used to respond to,? said FDNY spokesman Jim Long.
The move will last until at least November, when the renovations on Engine 282?s firehouse are expected to be completed.

    https://nypost.com/2003/06/03/fdny-moves-engine-co-to-axed-bklyn-station/
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
EMS Station 40  5011 7th Avenue  Sunset Park, Brooklyn

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 273/Ladder 129  firehouse 40-18 Union Street  Flushing, Queens  Division 14, Battalion 52  "The Mouse House"

    Engine 173 organized 40-16 Union Street former volunteer firehouse                  1908
    Engine 173 became Engine 273                                                                        1913
    Engine 273 moved 135-15 40th Road                                                                1931
    Engine 273 new firehouse 40-18 Union Street                                                    1932

    Ladder 79 organized 133-76 40th Road former volunteer firehouse                      1908
    Ladder 79 became Ladder 129                                                                          1913
    Ladder 129 new firehouse 135-16 38th Avenue w/Engine 272                            1928
    Ladder 129 new firehouse 40-18 Union Street w/Engine 273                              1932

    Battalion 52 located 40-18 Union Street at Engine 273                              1974-1976


Pre-FDNY:

    Flushing was protected by the Flushing Fire Department companies from 1854 to 1908.  The Flushing Fire Department had 4 hose, 2 engine and 1 ladder companies.

          Mutual Engine Company 1 operated from 1860-1908.  It was located at Union Street near Madison Avenue.  Engine 173 (273) operated in Mutual Engine 1's former firehouse from 1908 to 1931.

             

             

             

          Rescue Ladder Company 1 operated from 1854 to 1908 at Grove Street near Main Street.  Ladder 79 (129) was organized in their former firehouse and remained there 1908 to 1928.


Engine 173 and Ladder 79 organized:

   


40-18 Union Street:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 173:

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 129:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 273/Ladder 129:

       


Engine 273/Ladder 129:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4v6f1qxFc4

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KQAOvsH7sU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKHqbV0MYKc

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYdY8o4dXyI


Medals:

    WALTER J. DUGAN CAPT. LAD. 129 1935 1935 1936 STEPHENSON

    THOMAS F. HARPER FF. LAD. 129 MAY 22, 1947 1947 1948 PRENTICE

    GERARD V. CALLAHAN LT. LAD. 129 MAY 22, 1947 1947 1948 TODD

    ARHUR L. SPEYER FF. LAD. 129 JUL. 4, 1957 1957 1958 CRIMMINS

         

         

    ERNEST PIAZZA LT. LAD. 129 JUL. 4, 1957 1957 1958 CONRAN

    DENNIS J. DI TUCCI FF. LAD. 129 NOV. 20, 1967 1967 1968 COLUMBIA

         

    KENNETH J. PRIVITZER FF. LAD. 129 SEP. 26, 1969 1969 1970 JOHNSTON

         

    TERRENCE J. GUBBINS FF. LAD. 129 JAN. 15, 1986 1986 1987 MC ELLIGOTT

    WILLIAM E. PAGANO FF. LAD. 129 JAN. 1, 1996 1996 1997 DELEHANTY

       


Engine 273 member rescue - 1925:

   


Ladder 129 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER ERNEST MATTES LADDER 129 April 26, 1935

          Fireman Ernest Mattes of Ladder 129 was overcome by smoke while fighting a small fire in the home of actress Lillian Considine at 151-17 20th Road. He complained of felling ill and collapsed in the kitchen of the two-story building. He was carried outside and worked on for over an hour but was pronounced dead.

         

    FIREFIGHTER RICHARD W. SCHULTZ LADDER 129 May 31, 1959

    RIP.  Never forget.


Engine 273/Ladder 129 Centennial:

    http://www.queensexaminer.com/view/full_story/331065/article-FDNY-Units-Mark-100-Years-of-Serving-Queens?instance=lead_story_left_column


Flushing:

    Name origin:  The settlement was named after the city of Vlissingen, in the southwestern Netherlands, the main port of the company. However, by 1657, the residents called the place "Vlissing." Eventually, "Flushing", the British name for Vlissingen, was used.

   

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flushing,_Queens

    http://forgotten-ny.com/2006/06/flushing/



   

   

   

   

   
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
914
mack said:
Engine 301/Ladder 150 firehouse 91-02 197th Street  Hollis, Queens  Division 13, Battalion 54  "Hollis Hogs"

    Engine 301 organized 91-02 197th Street former volunteer firehouse w/Ladder 150    1921
    Engine 301 moved 218-44 97th Avenue at Engine 304                                              1932
    Engine 301 moved 197th Street                                                                              1932
    Engine 301 new firehouse 91-02 197th Street w/Ladder 150                                      1933
On January 15, 1921, Engine 301 was placed in service and Engine 27-2 was taken out of service.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
?HOW THE CHIEF GOT TO THE FIRE? ? By Hon BC Clarence Meeks  - WNYF Jan 1956

1956 WNYF article by Chief Weeks about how chiefs responded and operated in the early days of the department. Some highlights:

-  1865  initially chiefs lived with their families in former volunteer firehouses; ran to fires or used their own means; were not assigned horses or buggies
-  1865  most FFs ran to fires; engine FFs 3 rode steamer and 2 rode tender others ran; truck FFs only driver and tiller rode apparatus rest of members ran
-  1865  responses in Lower Manhattan were assigned 11 engine and 3 ladder companies
-  1870s  chiefs were assigned horses and wagons; some responded by foot
-  1880s  chiefs in FDNY and City of Brooklyn Fire Department responded in department rigs with horses
-  1900s  relay system with extra horses for chiefs in firehouses was set up for long runs; chiefs used sleds in winter
-  1901  COD Croker introduced first automobile to respond to fires
-  1904  FDNY purchases 2 motorized vehicles for Commissioner and COD
-  1904-1910  11 motorized vehicles for chiefs purchased   
-  1907  first marine tender purchased; Marine Chief and aide did not have land vehicle and took subway or trolley to get to fires 
-  1917  all FDNY chiefs had motorized vehicles


   

   

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
1887 - BC John J Bresnan responding to fire:

   

1908 - BC Worth 3rd Battalion:

   

1900s - BC Lawrence 47th Battalion:

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 214/Ladder 111 firehouse  495 Hancock Place  Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn  Division 15, Battalion 37  "The Nut House"

    Engine 14 BFD organized 231 Herkimer Street                        1872
    Engine 14 BFD became Engine 14 FDNY                                1898
    Engine 14 became Engine 114                                              1899
    Engine 114 became Engine 214                                            1913
    Engine 214 moved 399 Halsey Street at Ladder 111                1949
    Engine 214 new firehouse 495 Hancock Street w/Ladder 111    1957

    Ladder 11 BFD organized 399 Halsey Street                            1892
    Ladder 11 BFD became Ladder 11 FDNY                                1898
    Ladder 11 became Ladder 61                                                1899
    Ladder 61 became Ladder 111                                                1913
    Ladder 111 new firehouse w/Engine 214                                1957

    Battalion 38 located 231 Herkimer Street at Engine 214    1906-1948


Engine 14 BFD 231 Herkimer Street:
 
   

    "The city has no more efficient factor in its excellent Fire Department than Engine Company No. 14, which was organized twenty years ago, and has since won a record most creditable to itself and the Department at large.  Its house is at No. 231 Herkimer Street, between New York and Brooklyn Avenues. The company covers a most important and extensive district ...  bounded by Ralph Avenue, Grand Avenue, Lafayette Avenue and the city line.  It is essentially a residence district, factories being few and far between.  And it diners from every other district in this respect, that it contains probably one-half of Brooklyn's public institutions, a condition of things which calls for the exercise of the greater vigilance on the part of the men attached to the company. Under the roofs of these institutions-asylums, homes, retreats and hospitals-from six thousand to eight thousand persons are housed temporarily or permanently.  A large percentage of them are children, aged men, and women or invalids who would be helpless in case of a fire...Fires have occurred within this district that would have been marked by the most disastrous consequences but for the timely arrival and effective work of this engine-company. This is a matter of public record and one of which the gallant members of it feel proud. Engine Company No. 14 may be ranked as a veteran, as it has been in existence for over twenty years.  It was organized in 1872, or shortly after the old Volunteer Department passed out of existence. 

    By a happy coincidence, it began its career on the nation's holiday, July 4th...At that time its district was much larger than it is at present, and the men had to attend to every call coming from that part of the city which was bounded then by Flushing and Washington Avenues, the city line on the south and the New Lots line on the east.  It seems hardly possible that one fire engine company could cover so extensive an area and yet do it well, but No. 14 did it and did it with splendid results, as the fire records show. To-day No. 14 answers all alarms in the section bounded by Lafayette, Grand, an Ralph Avenues and the city line.  Second-alarms call it to points in some cases nearly a mile beyond these limits, except on the southern or city line.  Third-alarms call it much further, and special alarms bring it to the furthermost parts of the city.  The recent organization of Engine Company No. 31 in the Twenty-sixth Ward, has reduced the eastern end of No. 14's territory about one-half mile.  This change was absolutely necessary in view of the rapid increase in the number of buildings in the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Wards.  Within a few years several hundred frame structures have been erected in the Twenty-fourth Ward alone.  During its extended career Engine No. 14 has attended hundreds of fires and has done effective work.  It has always been prompt in answering calls, and zealous in its efforts to save life and property, and citizens living within its bailiwick have always been loud in their praises of its work.  To the credit of this branch of the fire service it may truthfully be said that very few of the fires which have occurred within its territory were marked by loss of life.... The worst fire that ever occurred in this territory was the burning of St. John's Home for Boys, in which over 1000 children were being cared for.  It broke out late in the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1884.  The fire had gained twenty minutes' headway before No. 14 was summoned to it.  About 1000 of the inmates were gotten out in safety.  A Sister of Charity and fourteen boys lost their lives, however.  Nearly all of the latter were in the infirmary in the upper part of the building.  No. 14 and its gallant crew did splendid work at this disastrous fire and prevented a frightful holocaust."   

    - from "Our Firemen -  the Official History of the Brooklyn Fire Department" 

   


Ladder 11 BFD 399 Halsey Street:

   

    "Hook and Ladder No. 11, went into active service at two o'clock in the afternoon of April 26, 1892. The home of the company is in a pretty two-story brick building, located on Halsey Street, near Sumner Avenue. Three fine, large, gray horses draw the latest improved Hayes' extension.ladder apparatus. The district covered by the company is bounded by De Kalb Avenue, Broadway, the city line, and Nostrand Avenue. 

    - from "Our Firemen -  the Official History of the Brooklyn Fire Department" 


   


Engine 214 - 231 Herkimer Street:

   


495 Hancock Street:

   

   

   

   


Engine 214:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 111:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 214/Ladder 111:

   


Ladder 111  1992:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlpWRu_n5eQ&t=56s


Engine 214/Ladder 111:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abSoMGJ8RyI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsuwC9_pYbU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NNYqyy4ato

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_s8Ff7J-Cs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sge5EjrGEJs


Mascot 1939:

   


Quarters robbed 1944:

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 214/Ladder 111 Medals:

    CANIO G. GALGANO LT. ENG. 214 JUN. 10, 1993 1994 STEUBEN

    THOMAS F. BRENNAN, JR. FF. LAD. 111 OFF DUTY APR. 3, 1940 1941 JAMES GORDON BENNETT

         

    WILLIAM A. GUERRIN FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 24, 1948 1949 JOHNSTON

    WILLIAM H. WINGELL FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 24, 1948 1949 DELEHANTY

    WILBUR J. O'DONNELL FF. LAD. 111  NOV. 4, 1949 1950 JAMES GORDON BENNETT

          FF Wilbur O'Donnell rescued effort two children at 450 Madison Street.  He crawled through smoke and gas to a third floor bedroom where a two year old and 4 month old children were sleeping.  He carried both out of the apartment and was blown by an explosion three floors into the rear yard sustaining serious injuries.

    ALBIN J. SAAR FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 24, 1950 1951 STIEFEL

          FF Albin Saar rescued a fireman and a woman by ladder from a 4th floor apartment at great personal risk.

    WILBUR J. O'DONNELL FF. LAD. 111 NOV. 4, 1949 1951 HARRY M. ARCHER

    JOHN F. O'MALLEY FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 7, 1954 1955 FDR

    HENRY J. GRIMM FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 7, 1954 1955 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

    EDWARD F. CLEARY FF. LAD. 111 APR. 12, 1957 1958 LA GUARDIA

    EDWARD F. X. DIMARTINO LT. LAD. 111 MAY 4, 1959 1960 DOUGHERTY

    FRANK X. PROGL FF. LAD. 111 FEB. 17, 1961 1962 KENNY

         

    PETER V. RYAN FF. LAD. 111 AUG. 4, 1965 1966 KRIDEL

    MICHAEL M. MULLIGAN FF. LAD. 111 JUL. 19, 1966 1967 STEUBEN

    JOSEPH M. GILDEA FF. LAD. 111 NOV. 1, 1967 1968 BRUMMER

         

    JOSEPH P. WILLIAMS FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 24, 1968 1969 BRUMMER

    WILLIAM J. TURSELLINO LT. LAD. 111 NOV. 5, 1968 1969 WILLIAMS

         

    THOMAS J. WALTERS FF. LAD. 111 JUL. 17, 1968 1969 KENNY

         

    RICHARD CANTELLO FF. LAD. 111 JAN. 19, 1969 1970 CONRAN

         

    FRED E. ARNOLD FF. LAD. 111 JAN. 18, 1973 1974 FDR

    DENNIS J. CONWAY FF. LAD. 111 DEC. 19, 1973 1974 HOLY NAME

    WILLIAM J. TURSELLINO CAPT. LAD. 111 L-123 FEB. 15, 1974 1975 HOLY NAME

         

    ROBERT H. SCHAFER FF. LAD. 111 JAN. 8, 1974 1975 GOLDENKRANZ

    KENNETH CONNELLY FF. LAD. 111 JUL. 19, 1974 1975 KANE

         

    HAROLD L. HANSON LT. LAD. 111 DEC. 31, 1974 1975 COLUMBIA

    KENNETH CONNELLY FF. LAD. 111 FEB. 3, 1982 1983 JAMES GORDON BENNETT

         

    ROBERT R. JOHNSON FF. LAD. 111 FEB. 3, 1982 1983 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

    KENNETH CONNELLY FF. LAD. 111 FEB. 3, 1982 1984 HARRY M. ARCHER

         

    MICHAEL P. MC GRORTY FF. LAD. 111 JUL. 18, 1984 1985 PIPES & DRUMS

         

          Promoted to Fire Marshal - 1992:
         
         

    JOSEPH D. BORST FF. LAD. 111 MAY 26, 1987 1988 WILLIAMS

         

    DENIS M. MURPHY FF. LAD. 111 JUN. 25, 1988 1989 KRIDEL

    GREGORY J. SEMINARA FF. LAD. 111 JAN. 14, 1988 1989 THIRD ALARM

    RUDOLF C. WEINDLER FF. LAD. 111 NOV. 23, 1989 1990 BRUMMER

    THEODORE T. KROWL FF. LAD. 111 MAY 16, 1990 1991 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

    VINCENT R. UNGARO FF. LAD. 111 MAY 16, 1990 1991 HUGH BONNER

         

          WTC-related death October 1, 2016

          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/vincent-ungaro/

    JOSEPH D. BORST FF. LAD. 111 JUL. 21, 1991 1992 TUTTLEMONDO

         

    JAMES M. AMATO LT. LAD. 111 1992 DOLNEY

         

    DENNIS J. CONWAY FF. LAD. 111 AMB-4 MAR. 31, 1993 1994 GOLDENKRANZ

    ERIK M. WIENER FF. LAD. 111 JAN. 31, 1993 1994 EMERALD

         

    PETER J. MC BREARTY FF. LAD. 111 MAR. 11, 1993 1994 STIEFEL

    ERIK M. WIENER FF. LAD. 111 E-238 MAY 7, 1996 1997 SCOTT

          FF Erik M. Wiener of Ladder Company 111 responded on May 7, 1996, along with his fellow firefighters and officers to a raging apartment fire in a high-rise building.  Upon arrival, FF Wiener heard screams and found then 16-year-old Yanique Livermore hanging upside-down outside the window of her fully engulfed  8th floor apartment. After rescuing Ms. Livermore, FF Wiener returned to the apartment in order to locate then 3-year-old Arif Wedderburn, who was found unconscious between his bed and a wall. In rescuing Mr. Wedderburn and Ms. Livermore, FF Wiener suffered second-degree burns to his back and lacerations requiring stitches on his forehead. In 1997 FF Weiner received the Walter Scott Medal for his brave actions and quick thinking on that day.

         

         

         

          https://www1.nyc.gov/site/fdny/news/article.page?id=a03016&permalinkName=firefighter-erik-wiener-ladder-111-reunited-the-first-time-children-rescued-a#/0

          https://www.flickr.com/photos/fdnyhome/26702650950/in/photostream/

    STEVEN F. LUSI LT. LAD 111 1999 CONRAN

         

    NICHOLAS CICERO, JR. FF. LAD. 111 2001 CONRAN

         

    THOMAS J. GARDNER LT LAD 111 2004 KENNY

         

    ERIK M. WIENER FF. LAD. 111 2004 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

         

    JOSEPH W. HONAN FF. LAD. 111 2006 DOUGHERTY

         

    MARK GREGORY LT. LAD. 111 2008 DRENNAN

         

    VINCENT T. NIESE FF LAD 111 AUG. 29, 2013 2014 EMERALD

          0919 hours, Box 22-861, Brooklyn

          FF Vincent T. Niesi, a Staten Islander working at Ladder 111 in Brooklyn, received the Emerald Society Medal for climbing a ladder to the third floor of a building, entering a burning apartment and locating four victims - including a teenage girl, two children, and an adult woman. He moved all four close to the window on his own until other firefighters could assist in removing them from the building.

         

         


Engine 214/Ladder 111 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER EDWARD J. KLIMAS LADDER 111 October 30, 1942

          Fireman Edward J. Klimas was overcome by smoke from movie film in a Brooklyn theatre fire. The smoke also affected two other firemen. Klimas was detailed to Ladder 132 that day. He was only on the Department a couple of years, was single and 27 years old.

         

    FIREFIGHTER LOWELL J. McELROY ENGINE 214 May 8, 1949

          He died as a result of injuries sustained while working at an alarm on April 27th.

    LIEUTENANT CARL BEDIGIAN ENGINE 214 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=125426

    FIREFIGHTER JOHN FLORIO ENGINE 214 September 11, 2001

         

          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/john-j-florio/

    FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL ROBERTS ENGINE 214 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=146522

    FIREFIGHTER KENNETH WATSON ENGINE 214 September 11, 2001

         

         


          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/kenneth-t-watson/

    LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN LADDER 111 September 11, 2001

         

         


          https://lafayetteangel.com/2013/09/05/remembering-one-of-our-911-fallen-lt-christopher-p-sullivan/

          http://bravestmemorial.net/html/members_individual/sullivan_christopher/sullivan_newsday_article.html

          http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=146271


   

    RIP.  Never forget.


Ladder 111 WTC-related death:

    FF Charlie Williams, Ladder 111, July 28, 2018

         

    LT Cruz Antonio Fernandez, Ladder 111, October 2006

         

    RIP.  Never forget.


Bedford-Stuyvesant:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford?Stuyvesant,_Brooklyn

   

   

   


   

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
FIRE ENGINEERING - TALES FROM TRUCK 111
07/01/2006 

BY TOM BRENNAN

    Editor?s note: Tom Brennan, our revered technical editor and former editor, passed away in April 2006. Tom shared monthly here his wisdom and knowledge of the tactical aspects of our industry, but he also wrote about the social side of the fire service as only Tom could. We are very pleased that Tom wrote down some of these interesting, funny, insightful, and colorful stories. We are very proud to have the chance to continue to provide for you the random thoughts of our dear friend and brother. Please note Tom did not change any of the names, as he felt none of his friends mentioned in these pieces are ?innocent.?


111 Truck. One-Eleven in the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) was another truly unique place in which I was fortunate to have worked and skippered during my too-short career. It had as unique a class of individual characters who happened to also be the best at what they did. It was a busy place that had been successful and effective as one of the city?s busiest trucks for more than 100 years.

It must have been in my blood, because I jumped at the chance to become the captain there when I was asked and to leave another happy place for me in the Harlem section of New York.

There was always a list in someone?s hand somewhere of people waiting to have the opportunity to receive an assignment to work in One-Eleven. Every day I was on duty, at least one or more young men showed their faces at the house watch desk, asking to have a chance to speak with me. All they wanted to do was respectfully request that I would consider them (in some cases asked permission) if they put 111 as their first or only choice on a transfer from the company to which they were presently assigned.

Many captains in ?attractive? assignments let out the ?word? that they kept a list from which their personal approval got the transfer approved downtown. I hated that custom. First, who was I to do that? Second, how could I put a young man through the ritual of having to try to tell me how good a firefighter he was or have to try to say the things he thought would impress me, the interviewer?

My act was to speak with them after a handshake on the apparatus floor and to quickly interject that I had no list-that the courtesy, enthusiasm, spirit, and professionalism they displayed just coming to this difficult-to-find station on their own time was good enough for me. ?You only come this way one time, kid,? I would say. ?If you have any way to get here, use any influence you want, it?s OK with me. Good luck.?

The members who had gotten assigned during those years (like most of the hysterically busy units in the city) had truly been individuals-individuals who ascended to heights of professionalism second to none (I used to say ?not many?). But in the quiet times, all were funny and supported the sense of humor that kept your psyche on a more or less even keel.

Like all the places that shared that type of reputation, there were hundreds of memorable stories that kept us level and smiling. None were better than one event that happened on a warm summer afternoon.

Typically, the borough of Brooklyn was busy. But on this day, there was so much activity that practically no unit was available except for us. If we received a call for an alarm, we knew that any help we would get would be coming a long distance to get to our location.



?Brooklyn to 111,? the radio speaker on the truck said.

?Go ahead, Brooklyn,? I answered.

?Respond to Sumner and Park Avenues; there is a reported elevator stuck in the high-rise residence building.?

?111, we?re on the way,? was my nonregulation (but expected) answer.

High-rise residences were red brick project type constructs that varied in height around the magic number of 17 stories. They were erected block after block on the rubble we had helped to create a year or two before. We actually considered ourselves ?urban renewal specialists?-you had to have some positive feelings out of all the negative surroundings. One of our expert tactics was working with elevators that had become nonoperational (stuck) with people reported trapped within. We all carried our own homemade set of elevator keys. They were individual shapes and constructs that opened elevator doors on various landings-the shape of and need for a collection was because each manufacturer had its own release lock and shape and method of getting to it from the hallway side of the shaft.

Arriving at the Park Avenue side of the building, we could see various residents milling about in clusters, mostly oblivious to the distress of their neighbors who may be caught by or trapped within the elevator car.

?Hey man, guy stuck in the elevator on the third floor,? said a few, but to no one in particular, as I continued on my 300-foot path to the lobby door. I heard this statement repeated every 20 or 30 feet to the elevator center.

I never trusted anything except what I saw to call the shot on the radio as to what we had and what we needed, but this time the units assigned were from locales so far away I wanted it to be a ?truck only?-meaning I could tell the dispatcher that we would handle it ourselves and all others could calmly turn around and be in service to receive another alarm. More importantly, we could stop the rapid emergency response and turn it into a slow ride that paid attention to traffic and regulatory equipment.

?111 to chauffeur,? I called over my portable radio, which hung on my shoulder with the press-to-talk microphone hanging naked on my turnout coat lapel.

?Go ahead, Cap,? said Dennis.

?Tell Brooklyn that we have an elevator emergency here and we can handle it ourselves.?

?OK, Cap,? came Dennis?s answer that I knew would trigger the transmission over the main radio and a signal from the dispatcher to the responding units to return to their quarters-including the battalion chief, who would then await my report of the event.

I took my two inseparable firefighters (because of their assignment for the tour of duty, they stuck to me like glue assigned as a team to force entry anywhere and to participate in a search of the structure from the entrance we chose). Others on the shift had different functions, and for elevator emergencies two had to ascend to the machinery room above the elevator shaft and force entry to await any questions from us below and to prepare to electrically disable the operating machinery by pulling the fuses within the power boxes found there.

I ascended to the 8th floor, still directed by numerous shouts that contained some sinister giggles. At the middle of the run of hallway, an adult male stood with his head apparently thrust within the shaft through a smashed wire-glass observation panel in a single sliding door. All events were typical: It was typical to have shouting in various languages, it was typical to have someone smash the wire glass window to look in to see what to do, and it was typical for us to have to gain quiet and control-all the time.

Approaching the trench-coated figure, I half patted and half grasped his collar as I began to say, ?OK pal, we got it!? I never finished the statement, for the slight pat caused the man to collapse in a bundle on the floor at my feet. It was then I noticed that he had no head!

During his ?survey of conditions,? the elevator must have moved in the shaft and either lopped off his head and dropped it to the base of the shaft or rose from below, in which case his head was riding on top of the elevator car.
The top of the car access was the most difficult, so I ordered the shaft forced in the cellar for a search.

I had two things to do. First was to get to Dennis and communications to the chief. Chiefs in our job don?t like to be returning from an alarm not knowing we have a dead guy at the location!

?111 to chauffeur,? I called over the tactical radio on my chest.

?Yeah, Cap,? answered the always-ready Dennis.

?Dennis, where are you now?? I asked.

?In the lobby,? he shot back in return.

During the long walk back to the radio and the short descent to the base of the elevator shaft, I pondered. I would rather solve the head location mystery and have my answers ready before I let the chief in on things not to mention the whole borough and all the buffs who had purchased a crystal that let them listen to the circus that was Brooklyn Fire Radio 24 hours a day.

?Dennis, get to the cellar and force your way into the elevator shaft base (pause, pause) and look for a guy?s head,? I said, surprisingly calm.

Now comes the scariest part of the whole story.

Dennis?s answer was immediate, too calm, and too short.

?OK, Cap, will do.?

Stunned but proud of his answer, the three of us in the hallway tried to look as professional as possible while we awaited the results of the search below. Shortly came our answer. ?OK, I?m in the shaft, Cap, and I don?t see .... Oh, wait, I got it, Cap. It?s in the corner behind the springs,? Dennis said as calmly as ordering a sandwich for lunch.

?Go out to the truck, Dennis, and tell Brooklyn that we have a 10-45 code 3 at this location (FDNY lingo for an apparent DOA), but assure them that it is not fire response related,? I ordered.

The now familiar, ?OK, Cap,? was the reply.

Dennis, meandering on the long walk back to the truck and its radio system, knew he had a transmission that would become legendary. Just how and what he would say wasn?t scripted yet, but it would be for sure before he keyed the microphone. He knew the listeners would be awestruck and attentive, all would be listening, and all transmissions would be recorded and would be available for copy. He didn?t know what he would say, but he would when he got to the truck.

?111 Truck to Brooklyn, K,? Dennis began into the transmitter, and waited. It was strict radio discipline. The K was used to indicate to the receiving party that the transmission was finished but not over and the transmission requires a reply from those receiving it. Brooklyn Alarm dispatchers must have been confused, for we never waited but transmitted the whole message to save time and awaited the acknowledgment of ?10-4.?

?Er, go ahead, 111,? said Brooklyn.

?We have a DOA at this location, Brooklyn. Please inform the 37 Battalion.?

The radio system had a repeater on the channel, which enabled the field units to monitor transmissions from any unit and to hear the answers from the dispatcher. The chief of the battalion was still in his vehicle and monitored the call and jumped into the conversation without waiting: ?37 Battalion to Brooklyn, I have 111?s message and am returning to that location. Ascertain from 111 if there is anything they need.?

I can still envision Dennis?s smile as he waited for Brooklyn to call him in the strict regulation form.

?Brooklyn to 111, K,? the game continued.

?111 to Brooklyn, K.?

?The 37 is returning, 111; he asks if there is anything you need at the scene,? Brooklyn finished.

Dennis replied: ?Inform the 37th Battalion that we need a body bag here as well as a bowling bag!?



Tom Brennan:

   
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431


LADDER 111 LIFTS CAR TO RESPOND  - Max GoldbergView Max Goldberg's Articles

      'There's never been a debate whether or not the firemen of the New York Fire Department, a.k.a. the FDNY, are strong enough. However, there are still times where their strength impresses the normally-stoic citizens of NYC.  Recently, the boys of Ladder 111 in Brooklyn were unable to get down a street due to an illegally double-parked Toyota Tundra. (Ladder 111 is a 2013 Seagrave Aerialscope 75 foot tower ladder, so you can safely assume it is already a pain to navigate in the tight streets of Brooklyn.)

    Rather than moving the Tundra, however, the truck company directed their attention at a Car2Go Smart Fortwo. Fortunately, the boys from "The Nut House" had made sure to do a few extra deadlifts at the gym, so four of them were able to move the 2,050-pound compact onto the sidewalk so they could pass. Doing a a little back-of-the-napkin math, we noticed that if the men lifted the car directly into the air, they would each be deadlifting 512.5 pounds. So by lifting one side at a time, they probably cut the weight down to around 350 pounds (a super rough estimate, admittedly). As you can see, the firemen used the car's suspension system as a way to gain a little momentum before lifting the vehicle.

    Once the car was out of their way, the men filed back into Ladder 111 and went on their way. Seeing such an accomplishment isn't entirely surprising, as the FDNY and other departments are filled to the brim with fitness fanatics...but it's still impressive."

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCkx7Nmuks

 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 280/Ladder 132 firehouse 489 St Johns Place Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Division 15, Battalion 38 "In the Eye of the Storm"


    Engine 280 organized 489 St Johns Place                                                1913

    Ladder 132 organized 489 St Johns Place at Engine 280                          1913

    Ambulance 2 located at 489 St Johns Place at Engine 280  1949-1963 and 1968-1977

    Rescue Collapse Unit 2 organized at Engine 280                                      2004
    Rescue Collapse Unit 2 became Collapse Rescue Unit 2                            2005


489 St. Johns Place:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 280:

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 132:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ambulance 2:

   


Engine 280 1945 Response:

   


Engine 280/Ladder 132:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CASUvx_6PJw


Engine 280/Ladder 132 Centennial: 

    http://queensledger.com/view/full_story/23947231/article-Engine-280-Ladder-132-celebrates-100-years-in-Brooklyn

 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 280/Ladder 132 Medals:

    JAMES A. GANCI FF. ENG. 280 AUG. 23, 1978 1979 GOLDMAN

    ARTHUR J. GLENN CAPT. LAD. 132 MAR. 2, 1950 1951 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

          Captain Arthur Glenn, Ladder 132, rescued a 2 year old child from a burning tenement at 888 Fulton Street.

    JOHN F. O'MALLEY LT. LAD. 132 NOV. 28, 1960 1961 STIEFEL

    LAWRENCE  J. YETMAN FF. LAD. 132  JAN. 8, 1961 1962 LA GUARDIA

    WILLIAM M. MOCLAIR FF. LAD. 132 DEC. 17, 1966 1967 DOUGHERTY

    JOHN A. APONTE FF. LAD. 132  JUL. 1, 1977 1978 FDR

    RICHARD E. HICKEY FF. LAD. 132  FEB. 14, 1979 1980 LAUFER

         

    WILLIAM J. MC LAUGHLIN FF. LAD. 132 OCT. 10, 1979 1980 CINELLI

         

    JOHN A. APONTE FF. LAD. 132 OCT. 4, 1980 1981 LAUFER

    FRANCIS J. ANCONA FF. LAD. 132 OCT. 4, 1980 1981 GOLDENKRANZ

         

    EDWARD P. MORIARTY FF. LAD. 132 SEP. 28, 1983 1984 WILLIAMS

         

    EDWARD P. MORIARTY FF. LAD. 132  APR. 7, 1988 1989 HOLY NAME

         

          https://nypost.com/2013/11/04/911-firefighter-eschews-retirement-for-2nd-carreer-as-home-nurse/

    LEONARD L. JOHNSON FF. LAD. 132  FEB. 13, 1990 1991 AMERICAN LEGION

         

         

    EDWARD F. GERAGHTY LT. LAD. 132  E-265 JAN. 2, 1991 1992 BRUMMER

         

          LODD - World Trade Center - September 11, 2001

         

          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/edward-f-geraghty/

          http://www.legacy.com/sept11/Story.aspx?PersonID=146294&location=2

    GREGORY L. PICCONI FF. LAD. 132  FEB. 8, 1991 1992 CINELLI

         

    ROSARIO A. GIAMBRONE FF. LAD. 132  MAR. 11, 1993 1994 MARTIN

    JOHN J. BURKE FF. LAD. 132  MAR. 11, 1993 1994 THIRD ALARM

    RICHARD A. PALMER FF. LAD. 132 JUN. 11, 1994 1995 FIRE MARSHALS

    JOHN F. COLLINS FF. LAD. 132  JUL. 16, 1994 1995 ZAHN

    GERARD J. TRIGLIA FF. LAD. 132 JUN. 17, 1995 1996 JAMES GORDON BENNETT

         

          Firefighter Triglia was cited for his daring rope rescue of a 27-year-old woman from a smoke filled apartment at 727 Prospect Place, in Brooklyn, on June 17th, 1995. Firefighter Triglia was lowered from the roof of a burning four story brick building and reached into the top floor window to take hold of the victim, who had suffered first and second degree burns. As the blaze quickly spread to all floors, Firefighter Triglia and the victim then descended four stories on a life-saving rope, passing through a thick haze of smoke and intense heat. They landed safely on the ground and awaiting medical crews treated the victim.

    GERARD J. TRIGLIA FF. LAD. 132 JUN. 17, 1995 1996 NYS HONORARY FIRE CHIEFS

         

    GERARD J. TRIGLIA FF. LAD. 132 JUN. 17, 1995 1998 ARCHER

         

          The highest honor that can be bestowed upon a New York City Firefighter is to be awarded the Doctor Harry M. Archer Medal. Awarded only once every three years to a Gordon Bennett Medal winner, it is reserved for the bravest of the brave. This year's recipient is Firefighter Gerard J. Triglia of Ladder Co 132.

    KEITH M. LOUGHLIN LT. LAD. 132 2001 DOLNEY

         

    JOHN C. FORDHAM LT. LAD. 132 2004 LANE

         

    JOSEPH WAIKE FF. LAD 132 2006 THIRD ALARM ASSOCIATION

         

    JOSEPH W. DONATELLI FF. LAD. 132 2007 BROOKLYN CITIZENS

         

    PETER G. DEMONTREUX FF. LAD. 132 AUG. 30, 2010 2011 J. G. BENNETT
       
         

         

          0427 hours, Box 22-0963, 175 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn  Rescued two victims from 4 story brownstone apartment via aerial ladder.

          http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/firefighter-braved-1-000-degree-heat-pulled-man-trapped-burning-building-article-1.474921

          http://badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=152106914788

          http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn-fdny-hero-medal-valor-article-1.1268465


Engine 280/Ladder 132 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER JAMES J. SKELLY JR. ENGINE 280 April 16, 1916

         

    FIREFIGHTER BERNARD GOLDMAN ENGINE 280 January 30, 1962

         

         

         

    FIREFIGHTER MARTIN HANRAHAN LADDER 132 May 16, 1964

         

         

    BATTALION CHIEF THOMAS HASKELL JR LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

         

          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/thomas-haskell-jr/

    FIREFIGHTER ANDREW JORDAN LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://www.familyjordan.com/jordans-dying-at-9-11-world-trade-center/

    FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL KIEFER LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

          https://www.firehouse.com/historical-incidents/contact/10567044/michael-kiefer-firefighter-fdny-victim-of-september-11

    FIREFIGHTER THOMAS MINGIONE LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://bravestmemorial.net/html/members/mingione_thomas_fr_l132.html

    FIREFIGHTER JOHN VIGIANO II LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://betterangels911.com/firefighter-john-vigiano-ii/

    FIREFIGHTER SERGIO VILLANUEVA LADDER 132 September 11, 2001

         

         

          http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=146584


WORLD TRADE CENTER-RELATED DEATH:

    FF SEAN MCCARTHY Engine 280 May 27, 2008
       
         

          https://www.firefightingnews.com/sean-mccarthy-fdny-firefighter-dies-at-35/

          https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/sean-m-mccarthy/


    RIP.  Never forget.


Prospect Heights: 

   

   

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_Heights,_Brooklyn


   

   

   



 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Engine 280/Ladder 132 - 1st due - All-Hands Fire - Box 7-5-1067 - 6/22/17

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Ui3lJJklI
 
Top