FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies - 2nd Section

Engine 96/Ladder 54 firehouse 1689 Story Avenue  Soundview, Bronx Division 6, Battalion 3 "End of Story"

    Engine 96 organized 1684 Bruckner Boulevard w/Ladder 19                          1929
    Engine 96 became Combined Engine Company 96                                        1935
    Combined Engine Company 96 became Engine 96                                        1941
    Engine 96 moved 1752 Lafayette Avenue                                                    1941
    Engine 96 became Combined Engine Company 96 1684 Bruckner Boulevard    1941
    Combined Engine Company 96 became Engine 96                                        1951
    Engine 96 new firehouse 1689 Story Avenue w/Ladder 54                              1966       

    Ladder 54 organized 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                                    1966

    Brush Fire Patrol 96 organized 1684 Bruckner Boulevard at Engine 96            1963

    Searchlight 3 located at 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                      1967-1975

    Foam Unit Bronx organized 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                          1979
    Foam Unit Bronx became Foam 82                                                              1988
    Foam 82 became Foam 96                                                                          1998


1689 Story Avenue:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 96:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 54:

   

   

   

   


Engine 96/Ladder 54:

   

   


Searchlight 3:

   


Foam 96:

   


Engine 96/Ladder 54 Medals:

    THOMAS F. KELLY FF. ENG. 96 MAY 11, 1975 1976 WILLIAMS

         

    TIMOTHY F. DOWLING LT. ENG. 96 OCT. 13, 1978 1979 AMERICAN LEGION

    JAMES E. CURRAN LT. ENG. 96 APR. 16, 1984 1985 BRUMMER

         

    ROBERT W. ENGLEHART FF. ENG. 96 JUN. 29, 1987 1988 HISPANIC

    DANIEL J. WARD FF. ENG. 96 JUN. 29, 1987 1988 SCOTT

    BRENDAN G. SHEEHY LT. ENG. 96 DEC. 1, 1992 1993 AMERICAN LEGION

    JAMES M. SLEVIN CAPT. LAD. 54 JUN. 6, 1977 1978 STIEFEL

    WILLIAM H. DEMAREST CAPT. LAD. 54 MAY 24, 1988 1989 COMPANY OFFICERS

    ALBERT A. JOHNSON FF. LAD. 54 DEC. 1, 1992 1993 TUTTLEMONDO

    WILLIAM MCGEE FF. LAD. 54 MAY 5, 1996 1997 CINELLI


Engine 96 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER FRED GERNER ENGINE 96 August 5, 1937

    CAPTAIN VINCENT J. McGILL ENGINE 96 December 25, 1955

          He died as a result of injuries sustained while operating at an alarm.

    RIP.  Never forget.


Soundview/

 
Engine 96/Ladder 54 firehouse 1689 Story Avenue  Soundview, Bronx Division 6, Battalion 3 "End of Story"

    Engine 96 organized 1684 Bruckner Boulevard w/Ladder 19                          1929
    Engine 96 became Combined Engine Company 96                                        1935
    Combined Engine Company 96 became Engine 96                                        1941
    Engine 96 moved 1752 Lafayette Avenue                                                    1941
    Engine 96 became Combined Engine Company 96 1684 Bruckner Boulevard    1941
    Combined Engine Company 96 became Engine 96                                        1951
    Engine 96 new firehouse 1689 Story Avenue w/Ladder 54                              1966       

    Ladder 54 organized 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                                    1966

    Brush Fire Patrol 96 organized 1684 Bruckner Boulevard at Engine 96            1963

    Searchlight 3 located at 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                      1967-1975

    Foam Unit Bronx organized 1689 Story Avenue at Engine 96                          1979
    Foam Unit Bronx became Foam 82                                                              1988
    Foam 82 became Foam 96                                                                          1998

1689 Story Avenue:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 96:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 54:

   

   

   

   


Engine 96/Ladder 54:

   

   


Searchlight 3:

   


Foam 96:

   

   
Engine 96/Ladder 54:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6cFEqExomE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_72hnH2780

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_kcKtTlD5I


Engine 96/Ladder 54 Medals:

    THOMAS F. KELLY FF. ENG. 96 MAY 11, 1975 1976 WILLIAMS

         

    TIMOTHY F. DOWLING LT. ENG. 96 OCT. 13, 1978 1979 AMERICAN LEGION

    JAMES E. CURRAN LT. ENG. 96 APR. 16, 1984 1985 BRUMMER

         

    ROBERT W. ENGLEHART FF. ENG. 96 JUN. 29, 1987 1988 HISPANIC

    DANIEL J. WARD FF. ENG. 96 JUN. 29, 1987 1988 SCOTT

    BRENDAN G. SHEEHY LT. ENG. 96 DEC. 1, 1992 1993 AMERICAN LEGION

    JAMES M. SLEVIN CAPT. LAD. 54 JUN. 6, 1977 1978 STIEFEL

    WILLIAM H. DEMAREST CAPT. LAD. 54 MAY 24, 1988 1989 COMPANY OFFICERS

    ALBERT A. JOHNSON FF. LAD. 54 DEC. 1, 1992 1993 TUTTLEMONDO

    WILLIAM MCGEE FF. LAD. 54 MAY 5, 1996 1997 CINELLI


Engine 96 LODDs:

    FIREFIGHTER FRED GERNER ENGINE 96 August 5, 1937

    CAPTAIN VINCENT J. McGILL ENGINE 96 December 25, 1955

          He died as a result of injuries sustained while operating at an alarm.

    RIP.  Never forget.


Soundview/Clason Point:

   

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundview,_Bronx

    http://www.clasonpoint.org/aboutme.htm


Clason Point Volunteer Fire Companies:

    HIGGS BEACH FIRE CO. 1 Bronx River Avenue & Botlon Avenue                            1918-1946
   
    CLASON POINT HIGGS BEACH FIRE CO. 2 Bronx River Avenue & Cornell Avenue    1920-1946
   
    CLASON POINT AVIATION CO. 3 Gildersleeve & Bronx River Avenue                      1922-2012

         

         







 
Engine 96/Ladder 54 - firehouse party:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZngJ2fDqzM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yXuRmL9as
 
Fire Bell Club of NY

    "Established in February 1939, the Fire Bell Club is an organization of individuals interested in the fire service, its current operations, and the preservation of its history. Members come from all walks of life, including fire service professionals. The Club and the FDNY enjoy a unique relationship of friendship and support. Club members are regularly involved with public relations services for the FDNY, attend Department functions, and contribute a vast amount of time and effort to various Department events, the Fire Museum and Fire Prevention activities." (from website)

Location:

    204 East 23rd Street, Manhattan

         


Home Page:


    Includes FDNY information (bell signals, radio signals, car assignments, stats, company nicknames)

          http://www.firebellclub.org/index.html


History:

   


    A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRE BELL CLUB

    "On the bitterly cold afternoon of February 3, 1939, a small group of men gathered outside the quarters of Ladder Co. 24, then located on West 33rd Street in Manhattan. These men were all fire buffs sharing mutual interests in the New York City Fire Department and they frequently met outside the firehouse. On this particular afternoon, they were approached by a police officer, who suggested they were likely to freeze unless they sought a warmer place to meet. He directed the men to 119 West 33rd Street, a loft building near the firehouse. It was here, a week later on February 10, 1939 that the Fire Bell Club was organized with 22 founding members including Frank Brannigan.

    In October 1940, after visiting the club's quarters, Fire Commissioner John J. McElligott authorized the Bureau of Fire Communications to install an official fire alarm telegraph circuit in the club's meeting room. Five and a half years later, Commissioner Frank Quayle authorized the issuance of official Fire Department gold badges to all Bell Club members, to be displayed while at the scene of a fire.

    After World War II, the Fire Bell Club moved its quarters to the Martinique Hotel on 32nd Street near Broadway. In the early 1960's, it moved to the Hotel McAlpin at Broadway and 34th Street. As membership grew, it relocated in the early 1970's to the Statler-Hilton Hotel on 7th Avenue across from Pennsylvania Station. In 1984, the club moved to 150 East 23rd Street in Manhattan. Current quarters since January 1999 are located at 204 East 23rd Street.

    Over its 78 years, the Fire Bell Club has had 14 presidents. The duties of Louis Crane, the founding president, are carried out today by Sergio Nieto., president since May 2015. The club has 135 members governed by elected officers, a board of directors, and numerous committees. The fire commissioner and chief of department hold honorary membership during their tenure in these positions.

    The Fire Bell Club Medal has been presented on Medal Day since 1984. Arnie Lasky is the editor of the club's monthly newsletter, which has more than 20,000 readers and is mailed to every firehouse in New York City. This newsletter is considered by many, both in and out of the Department, to be one of the most current and accurate sources of information pertaining to the New York City Fire Department.

    Members of the Fire Bell Club are regularly involved with public relations services for the FDNY, attend Department functions, and contribute a vast amount of time and effort to the Fire Museum and the FDNY Mand Library. The winners of the James Gordon Bennett Medal and the Fire Bell Club Medal are honored at our Annual Dinner every year in June."  (from website)


Monthly newsletter:

    Many, both in and outside the Department, consider the Club?s monthly newsletter to be one of the most current and informative sources of information pertaining to the FDNY.

    Sample - February 2017:

          http://www.firebellclub.org/documents/02_2017_issue.pdf


Fire Bell Club Medal:

    The Fire Bell Club Medal has been presented on Medal Day since 1984.


Scholarship:

    The Fire Bell Club continues its mission of service to the FDNY by awarding a $1,000 scholarship each June to a 5th Grade and above Firefighter or Fire Officer who has been accepted at or is attending an accredited institution of higher learning. Preference is given to those members who have less than five years service.
 
My father was an early member of the Fire Bell Club.  I joined in 1971 and have two brothers who are also members.
 
johnd248 said:
My father was an early member of the Fire Bell Club.  I joined in 1971 and have two brothers who are also members.
Click to expand...
John as a BKLYN guy do you remember the "77 Club" ? .... I was not a Member but had been invited there a few times by some BKLYN Dispatchers that were Members....I seem to remember the Clubs Quarters being on a floor in a Loft type bldg on Bridge St in BKLYN near where United Insignia had been (before they moved to QNS).
 
Chief, I have heard of the 77 club but never knew any members or where they were.  I believe there was also a 255 club in the old days.
 
Salvage Units 

- Five units (six planned)
- Federal funding (Model Cities Program)
- Operated 1972-1991
- Purpose:  limit water damage; seal buildings
- Initially operated in designated sections  - later expanded citywide
- Staffing:  FDNY officer and driver/civilian Salvagemen
- Equipment:  covers; pumps; generators; lights; water vacuums; smoke ejectors; tools

Salvage 1 Brooklyn

    Salvage 1 organized 2581 Atlantic Avenue (old Post Office)                      1972
    Salvage 1 moved 551 Waverly Avenue (former factory)                          1977
    Salvage 1 moved 1472 Bergen Street (former Engine 234)                      1979
    Salvage 1 moved 657 Liberty Avenue (former Engine 332                        1985
    Salvage 1 disbanded                                                                            1986

          551 Waverly Avenue:

             

          1472 Bergen Street (former Engine 234):

             

             

          Salvage 1 apparatus:
       
             

             

Salvage 2 Manhattan

    Salvage 2 organized 242 East 111th Street at Engine 91                          1979
    Salvage 2 disbanded                                                                              1991
    Salvage 2 reorganized 242 East 111th Street at Engine 91                        1991
    Salvage 2 disbanded                                                                              1991

        242 East 111th Street at Engine 91:

             
         
          Salvage 2 apparatus:

             

    Salvage 3 Bronx

    Salvage 3 organized 2504 Webster Avenue (former Engine 48)                1979
    Salvage 3 disbanded                                                                            1991

          2504 Webster Avenue (former Engine 48): 

             

    Salvage 4 Brooklyn

          Salvage 4 organized 648 Pacific Street (former Ladder 105)                      1979
          Salvage 4 disbanded                                                                              1991

              648 Pacific Street (former Ladder 105):

                   

              Salvage 4 apparatus:

                   

    Salvage 5 Bronx

          Salvage 5 organized 1080 Ogden Avenue (former Engine 68)                    1979
          Salvage 5 disbanded                                                                              1991

              1080 Ogden Avenue (former Engine 68):
 
                   

    Salvage 6 Manhattan

          Salvage 6 planned West 77th Street  1991                              Never organized
 
I never understood the operational differences between the Salvage companies and the Fire Patrol.  Can anyone explain?

Thanks.
 
Simply, commercial occupancies were handled by the Fire Patrol through insurance companies where the Salvage units were part of the Model Cities program and would respond as requested by Chiefs to non commercial occupancies. I'm pretty sure that was the story :-\
 
johnd248 said:
Chief, I have heard of the 77 club but never knew any members or where they were.  I believe there was also a 255 club in the old days.
Click to expand...

I seem to remember a 77 club and thought that it was on Union St on the same block with E269 back in the day (early 50's.

The 255 club was adjacent to The qtrs. of E255 & L157, on the Foster Ave, side set back about 50 or so ft, from the sidewalk.The
building was a transformed large garage and the 255 club upstairs
I'm not sure what year it closed down,I'll ask ret Disp 120 we were just there in June.
 
memory master said:
Simply, commercial occupancies were handled by the Fire Patrol through insurance companies where the Salvage units were part of the Model Cities program and would respond as requested by Chiefs to non commercial occupancies. I'm pretty sure that was the story :-\
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
77 Club was always a social buff organization, never operated a Canteen, but did maintain a respectable Fire Museum at their quarters. They may have originated near Engine 269, but were then on Bridge Street Brooklyn, and finally 326 Livingston Street until they were dissolved c 1980.  WNYF 1st/1949 has an extensive article on the Club with photos.

255 Club did operate the Red Cross Canteen for multiple alarms, and also a Red Cross affiliated victim relocation service. In final years (c1980s) they were quartered at Red Cross HQ near High Street, Brooklyn. One of the artifacts maintained at their quarters was the locomotive bell and Maltese Plate from Doc Archer's  1949 Flxible Ambulance 1.
 
I believe there was also a very active
fire buff club on Staten Island.
 
Regarding reply # 409, after Salvage 3 on Webster Ave (former E48 Qtrs) was closed down in 1991, there were TWO (?) Second Alarms in that vacant building. The first one I was buffing the area. It was sad as FDNYs history was going up in smoke.

Also as I understand it, The Fire Bell Club publishes a monthly report on the multiple alarm fires each month, similar to what "signal 73" does for us on this site in the "City Wide section". Although there may be variations in the numbers depending on what is posted here.
 
Mack, Staten Island's 88 Club also ran the canteen service and also published a pretty thorough newsletter (as did the TAA - Third Alarm Assn of Manhattan).  In later years 88 members preserved some older apparatus.

A lot of information on Buff Clubs and Organizations can be found in Badges of the Bravest by Gary Urbanowicz (2002) and They Also Served by John A. Calderone (2007)
 
A picture of 255 Club members providing support to members at a fire:

   
 
811 said:
77 Club was always a social buff organization, never operated a Canteen, but did maintain a respectable Fire Museum at their quarters. They may have originated near Engine 269, but were then on Bridge Street Brooklyn, and finally 326 Livingston Street until they were dissolved c 1980.  WNYF 1st/1949 has an extensive article on the Club with photos.

255 Club did operate the Red Cross Canteen for multiple alarms, and also a Red Cross affiliated victim relocation service. In final years (c1980s) they were quartered at Red Cross HQ near High Street, Brooklyn. One of the artifacts maintained at their quarters was the locomotive bell and Maltese Plate from Doc Archer's  1949 Flxible Ambulance 1.
Click to expand...

Thanks 811.

WNYF April 1949:  More About Buffs:










 
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