FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

[STAjo]

My Mom & her family lived for years on Rutland Rd. & Bedford Ave. She & her sisters & brothers used to share fond memories
of their friends on the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, and the Firehouse on Rogers & Maple.

 

[mack]

1871 FDNY battalion and company district map:


    https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/4af1e210-f3a2-0130-6285-58d385a7b928



Note: zoom in for company locations (use zoom then click on map)

 

[guitarman314]

Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Joe Black and Manager Chuck Dressen visit Engine 249/Ladder 113 firehouse close to Ebbets Field 1950s:

   


Engine 249/Ladder 113 firehouse:

   


Engine 280/Ladder 132 firehouse also located close to old Ebbets Field.

   



Ebbets Field (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebbets_Field) was located on Bedford Avenue in Flatbush.  It was home to the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913 to 1957, but was also home to three professional football teams in the 1920s and the site of many important events. 

   

   

    http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/ebbets-field/


Ebbets Field Housing Complex - built 1962 : 

   
   

    http://nypost.com/2016/01/12/ebbets-field-apartments-are-getting-a-makeover/

  Re: Dodger photo: Mgr. Chuck Dreesen's left foot is mashing down hard on the clutch pedal of Ladder 113's 1937 Seagrave 85ft. tiller. Photo was taken around 1952-53 right after Joe Black's rookie season and before a 1948 Ward LaFrance tractor was placed under the 1937 Seagrave trailer.
    You can see Brooklyn C.O. in the top left of the 2nd aerial view photo of Ebbets Field.

 

[68jk09]

Odd as i am reading reply # 1717 above BKLYN is transmitting box 3762 for a phone alarm which was a 9-2.

 

[JOR176]

Box 3762 , 249 & 113 are first due for the standard address of 1600 Bedford Ave.

BOX 1080  280 & 132 are first due for the opposite side of the Building,47 McKeever Pl.
Box 1080 is hardly ever transmitted unless the Caller states McKeever Pl. address.

Box 1083 Bedford Ave. & Sullivan Pl is on another corner but is never used.

I lived 7 Blocks north of Ebbetts Field on Rogers Ave. Bet St.Johns Pl & Lincoln Pls until I was 21 (1963) I Buffed in 280 & 132 and was an Aux Lt. at 280 until they did away with the program sometime after I went overseas.

 

[guitarman314]

  Box 1083 was the box for the main entrance of Ebbets Field. I used to have a 1954 version of that card but I was given an offer from a "die-hard" Brooklyn Dodger fan that I could not refuse for it. 

 

[811]

Engine 259/Ladder 128/Battalion 45  33-51 Greenpoint Avenue    Firehouse Renovation 2009









Architect site:

"This commission from the FDNY called for the renovation and addition to a classic NYC firehouse. The FDNY stipulated that the building be restored rather than replaced, despite the fact that the structure was incapable of carrying the loads of the modern fire trucks, and the original spaces were built for obsolete technologies and social structures. As such, we had to gut and temporarily support the brick shell of the original building, in order to thread new structure, spaces, and mechanicals within.
Beyond solving the myriad of technological and logistical issues inherent to a modern firehouse, we set out to create a coherent series of dignified spaces suitable to the varied programmatic needs of the firefighters. The program includes a garage for three trucks and fueling, as well as spaces for cooking, dining, a lounge, offices and training rooms, locker rooms, a dormitory, laundry, and an exercise facility. To this we added an exterior terrace with a barbecue."

    http://andrewbermanarchitect.com/projects/engine_company_259_firehouse

   


Additional sites:

    https://cisconefirephotos.smugmug.com/FDNY-Queens/Engine-259-Ladder-128/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/jag9889/5254369465

Does that central structure on the apparatus floor and second floor (also seen in the berman site photos)  house an elevator?

 

[mack]

Engine 259/Ladder 128/Battalion 45  33-51 Greenpoint Avenue    Firehouse Renovation 2009









Architect site:

"This commission from the FDNY called for the renovation and addition to a classic NYC firehouse. The FDNY stipulated that the building be restored rather than replaced, despite the fact that the structure was incapable of carrying the loads of the modern fire trucks, and the original spaces were built for obsolete technologies and social structures. As such, we had to gut and temporarily support the brick shell of the original building, in order to thread new structure, spaces, and mechanicals within.
Beyond solving the myriad of technological and logistical issues inherent to a modern firehouse, we set out to create a coherent series of dignified spaces suitable to the varied programmatic needs of the firefighters. The program includes a garage for three trucks and fueling, as well as spaces for cooking, dining, a lounge, offices and training rooms, locker rooms, a dormitory, laundry, and an exercise facility. To this we added an exterior terrace with a barbecue."

    http://andrewbermanarchitect.com/projects/engine_company_259_firehouse

   


Additional sites:

    https://cisconefirephotos.smugmug.com/FDNY-Queens/Engine-259-Ladder-128/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/jag9889/5254369465

Does that central structure on the apparatus floor and second floor (also seen in the berman site photos)  house an elevator?

It has been a while since I was in E 259/L 128 firehouse and I do not know if there is an elevator after renovation - but the picture below seems to show something with a sliding door that looks like an elevator next to the poles:

     

Firehouses are public buildings but usually exempt from ADA (Americans With Disability Act) access requirements.  ADA has exemptions, especially with pre-existing building renovations - and firehouses are typically exempt.  Firehouse elevator requirements, however, do seem to be debated in places.  This is a building code site debate: 

    "Is an elevator required in a two story Fire Station where the 2nd floor is used primarily as living quarters?" -  http://bcdg.hoop.la/topic/is-an-elevator-required-in-a-two-story-fire-station-where-the-2nd-floor-is-used-primarily-as-living-quarters 

The only firehouses that seem to have elevators in other cities are when the firehouse is also a fire headquarters or when it shares the building with the city police department.  Elevators are an expensive addition to any building - expensive to install and expensive to maintain.  And use in most firehouses would be very, very limited.

There is also the debate in many places about poles in firehouses.  Although a fire service tradition (according to the National Fire Protection Association, the first firehouse pole was installed in New York in April of 1878 but Chicago also claims to have invented the first pole at Engine 21) and preferred by many firefighters as faster than stairs, they are not permitted in many places.  Seattle FD required an exception to state regulations to install poles in a new firehouse: 

    "What's a fire station without a fire pole? $150,000 cheaper."  http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/What-s-a-fire-station-without-a-fire-pole-1271491.php

 

[mack]

"Back in the Day" - 1988 video Engine 281 Ladder 147:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8vm78Xk7zU


1210 Cortelyou Rd  Flatbush  firehouse:

   

   

    - Thanks Allhandstowork.


Centennial:

    http://bklyner.com/fdny-engine-281-ladder-147-celebrate-100-years-of-service-in-flatbush-ditmas-park/

 

[mack]

The first picture is 280/132 's firehouse. It is not Cortelyou Rd

Thanks - fixed it.

 

[johnd248]

Buffed at that house from 1957-59; used to do runs to the store for the guys.  Didn't sign on at E 248 until 1964.

 

[mack]

Engine 281/Ladder 147  firehouse 1210 Cortelyou Avenue  41 Battalion, 15 Division  Flatbush, Brooklyn

    Engine 281 organized 1210 Cortelyou Road                            1913

    Ladder 147 organized 1210 Cortelyou Road at Engine 281  1914
    Ladder 147 moved 126 Foster Avenue at Engine 250            1975
    Ladder 147 returned 1210 Cortelyou Road at Engine 281    1914


1210 Cortelyou Road firehouse:

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 281:

   

   

   


Ladder 147:

   

   


"Back in the Day" - 1988 video Engine 281 Ladder 147:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8vm78Xk7zU


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY0iU7Sar7Q


Centennial:

    http://bklyner.com/fdny-engine-281-ladder-147-celebrate-100-years-of-service-in-flatbush-ditmas-park/


Engine 281/Ladder 147 FDNY Medals:

LT Frank B. Brannigan Engine 281 June 7, 1937  Conrad Medal
FF Eugene J. B. Dukes Ladder 147 June 7, 1937  Dougherty Medal
FF John L. B. Conroy Ladder 147 June 7 1937 Johnson Medal

   

FF Joseph R. Boeri Ladder 147 November 6, 1951 Prentice Medal
FF Conrad P. Metzger Ladder 147 November 6, 1951 Brooklyn Citizens Medal

   
                      FF Connie Metzger


FF James V. Dimino Ladder 147 January 20, 1959  Kenny Medal
FF Vincent S Pelo Ladder 147 January 17, 1960  La Guardia Medal
FF George P. Kowalszyk Ladder 147 December 16, 1962 Delehanty Medal

   

    1391 Flatbush Avenue - multiple occupants rescued from 2nd floor.

FF Charles B. Eichenhofer Ladder 147 July 1, 1969 Brooklyn Citizens Medal

   

FF Christopher B. Devine Ladder 147 March 1, 1978 Third Alarm Medal
FF Robert J. Bolker Ladder 147 April 17, 1982 Brookman Medal

   

FF Charles T. Rozea Engine 281 January 18, 1985  Martin Medal

   

FF Kevin White Ladder 147 November 11, 1989  Signal 77 Medal
FF Joseph Drennan Ladder 147 January 15, 1990 Holy Name Medal
LT Gerard B. O?Donnell Ladder 147 June 18, 1992  Conran Medal
FF John W. Hagermann Ladder 147 April 16, 1992  Goldman Medal
FF Thomas H. Gavitt Ladder 147 April 16, 1992  Cinelli Medal

    799 E. 8th Street. Fire in a three story wood frame house with heavy black smoke pushing from the second floor windows and cockloft.  Multiple rescues.



Engine 281/Ladder 147 LODDs:

    Captain Matthew Lynch, Engine 281  October 14, 1932

   


    FF Thomas Farrell, Ladder 147, October 4, 1953

   


    FF Matthew J. Belford, Ladder 147, May 7, 1957

   

    Died fighting a 2nd alarm Brooklyn fire.  16 years FDNY.     


    RIP.  Never Forget.


Ditmas Park is a neighborhood in western Flatbush in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, east of Kensington, and is one of three Flatbush neighborhoods which have been officially designated Historic Districts. Located on land formerly owned by the Ditmas family that remained rural until the early 20th century, the neighborhood consists of many large, free-standing Victorian homes built in the first decade of the 1900s. The traditional boundaries of Ditmas Park, including Ditmas Park West, are from Ocean Avenue to Coney Island Avenue, and from Dorchester Road to Newkirk Avenue. Ditmas Park is policed by the NYPD's 70th Precinct.

 

[mack]

Engine 281 book compiled by member:

    http://www.talesfromengine281.com/


   

 

[mack]

Yr Eng      Runs  EMS    Work    OSW    AHs
1975 281 2482 1323
1976 281 2575 1515
1977 281 3085 1767  
1978 281 3830 2446
1979 281  3345 1844 
1980 281 3667  2096 
1981 281 3420  1781 
1982 281 3638 1904 
1983 281 3293 1632 297 
1984 281 3434 1717 
1985 281 3098  1578 271 
1986 281 2992  1609 282 
1987 281 3140 1711 271 
1988 281 3129  1703 318 
1989 281 2816  1673 321 
1990 281 3202 1695 303 
1991 281 3642 1822 242 
1992 281 3390  1698 316 
1993 281 3231 1603 293 
1994 281 3071 1584 275 
1995 281 3333 1916 344 
1996 281 3177 506 2030 322 
1997 281 3143 785 1965 313 
1998 281 3053 790 1904 287 
1999 281 3216 856 2086 330 
2000 281 3212 801 2164 323 
2001 281 3234 839 2026 318 
2002 281 3032 836 1965 243 
2003 281 3231 985 2262 301 
2004 281 3321 963 2099 313 
2005 281 3511 984 2353 362 
2006 281 3546      1017 2478 390 
2007 281 3507 964 2355 416 
2008 281 3450      1017 2209 365 
2009 281 3335 974 2084 384 
2010 281 3483      1017 2180 310 88
2011 281 3368      1071 2200 218 81
2012 281 3223      1106 2099 192 60
2013 281 3243      1137 2011 281 62
2014 281 3708      1167 2218 294 85
2015 281 4203      1301 2064 838 74
2016 281 3972      1359 1855 758 97
Yr Eng      Runs  EMS  Work    OSW    AHs

- http://www.fdnewyork.com/rnwindex.asp

 

[mack]

Yr Lad Runs EMS Work OSW AHs
1975 147 4251 0 2163 0 
1976 147 4885 0 2452 0 
1977 147 5301 0 2621 0 
1978 147 5128 0 2497 0 
1979 147 5207 0 2631 0 
1980 147 5579 0 2742 0 
1981 147 5400 0 2596 0 
1982 147 5495 0 2802 0 
1983 147 5226 0 2522 606 
1984 147 5196 0 2567 0 
1985 147 4900 0 2452 462 
1986 147 4409 0 2362 549 
1987 147 4696 0 2563 484 
1988 147 4614 0 2534 496 
1989 147 4140 0 2439 532 
1990 147 3926 0 2322 500 
1991 147 4619 0 2562 437 
1992 147 4214 0 2391 523 
1993 147 4216 0 2484 483 
1994 147 4086 0 2438 502 
1995 147 3900 0 2505 545 
1996 147 3723 138 2542 515 
1997 147 3517 315 2496 493 
1998 147 3501 86 2299 493 
1999 147 3712 70 2454 552 
2000 147 3867 78 2620 569 
2001 147 3737 0 2596 551 
2002 147 3584 0 2373 431 
2003 147 3675 0 2642 500 
2004 147 3818 0 2733 545 
2005 147 4037 0 3039 570 
2006 147 3843 0 2980 577 
2007 147 4209 0 3019 641 
2008 147 3819 0 2946 671 
2009 147 3828 0 2844 646 
2010 147 3965 0 3080 726 90
2011 147 3700 0 3026 691 79
2012 147 3737 0 2956 710 75
2013 147 3477 0 2667 666 73
2014 147 3982 0 2843 591 109
2015 147 4280 3302 978 91
2016 147 4011 3094 864 102
Yr Lad Runs EMS Work OSW AHs

-http://www.fdnewyork.com/rnwindex.asp

 

[In2theJob]

Reffering to E259 L128 quarters
Its the house watch. No elevator in the house. They did a complete gut job on the house. Pretty much only the walls and the roof remained. Everything else was removed. Would have been cheaper and quicker to just knock it down and rebuild it.

 

[mack]

Reffering to E259 L128 quarters
Its the house watch. No elevator in the house. They did a complete gut job on the house. Pretty much only the walls and the roof remained. Everything else was removed. Would have been cheaper and quicker to just knock it down and rebuild it.

Thanks for the explanation In2theJob. 

   

 

[johnd248]

I knew a lot of the medal winners from L 147.  Joe Boeri returned as a Lieutenant in the 60s and 70s and worked with the great Connie Metzger.  Jimmy Dimino was a class gentleman.  They misspelled George Kowalzyck's name but I remember him as well.  Charlie "Ike" Eichenhofer was a long time chauffeur of the company.  Great company and amazing firefighters.

 

[mack]

I knew a lot of the medal winners from L 147.  Joe Boeri returned as a Lieutenant in the 60s and 70s and worked with the great Connie Metzger.  Jimmy Dimino was a class gentleman.  They misspelled George Kowalzyck's name but I remember him as well.  Charlie "Ike" Eichenhofer was a long time chauffeur of the company.  Great company and amazing firefighters.

FF Connie Metzger while in Ladder 102:

   

FF George Kowalszyk:

   

FF Robert Bolker:

   
   
    -Scaling ladder rescue

FF Charles Rozea:

   

 

[68jk09]

Connie Metzger the Father was in 147 not sure if he had ever been in 102 but his Son also Connie was in 102 back in the '60s/70s.....the picture is from the '60s the Rig is a '60 ALF & the Myrtle Av El in the background was not torn down until around '69/'70.