FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

[68jk09]

^^^^ When i was in 108 on Siegel St we were a "must fill" Unit ...99% of the time when we returned from a Job we had a relocater...most were repetitive Company's but sometime it would be a real far reaching oddball....we only had one assigned Relocation which was on the Fifth Alarm for box 992 Washington Ave & Park Place where we were assigned to relocate to 102.....we did on occasion by the grace of our friends in the BKLYN CO make some requested relocations.

 

[68jk09]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

 

[firstdue]

Engine 45/Ladder 58/Battalion 18 - side-by-side firehouses - 925/927 Tremont Avenue  Bronx

   

   


Engine 45 Mack:

   

Are the houses separated by a wall still or is there a common area that joins both?

 

[mack]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

I might, Chief.  I will check when I get home.

 

[enginecap]

Engine 45/Ladder 58/Battalion 18 - side-by-side firehouses - 925/927 Tremont Avenue  Bronx

   

   

The walls are long gone......there just too much love in that house for walls. 


Engine 45 Mack:

   

Are the houses separated by a wall still or is there a common area that joins both?

 

[enginecap]

^^^^ When i was in 108 on Siegel St we were a "must fill" Unit ...99% of the time when we returned from a Job we had a relocater...most were repetitive Company's but sometime it would be a real far reaching oddball....we only had one assigned Relocation which was on the Fifth Alarm for box 992 Washington A
ve & Park Place where we were assigned to relocate to 102.....we did on occasion by the grace of our friends in the BKLYN CO make some requested relocations.

Did u work with Bob Boeri in L 108?

 

[68jk09]

^^^^ When i was in 108 on Siegel St we were a "must fill" Unit ...99% of the time when we returned from a Job we had a relocater...most were repetitive Company's but sometime it would be a real far reaching oddball....we only had one assigned Relocation which was on the Fifth Alarm for box 992 Washington A
ve & Park Place where we were assigned to relocate to 102.....we did on occasion by the grace of our friends in the BKLYN CO make some requested relocations.

Did u work with Bob Boeri in L 108?

No he was in 105.

 

[enginecap]

^^^^ When i was in 108 on Siegel St we were a "must fill" Unit ...99% of the time when we returned from a Job we had a relocater...most were repetitive Company's but sometime it would be a real far reaching oddball....we only had one assigned Relocation which was on the Fifth Alarm for box 992 Washington A
ve & Park Place where we were assigned to relocate to 102.....we did on occasion by the grace of our friends in the BKLYN CO make some requested relocations.

Ah!

Did u work with Bob Boeri in L 108?

No he was in 105.

 

[mack]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

Unable to find Ladder 26-2's 1953 or 1956 original ALF rig.  Will continue to look.  Other companies ALF aerial ladders:

Ladder 15  -  1953  ALF  100 ft:

   


Ladder 108  -  1956  ALF  100 ft:

   


Ladder 26  -  1962  ALF  100 ft:

   


Ladder 26  -  1968  ALF  100 ft:

   

 

[mack]

Engine 36  Firehouse 120 E. 125th Street  East Harlem, Manhattan  4th Division, 12th Battalion      DISBANDED

    Suburban Engine 36 organized 1849 Park Avenue (4th Ave)                    1865
              (former quarters volunteer Pocahontas Engine 49)
    Suburban Engine 36 became Engine 36                                                  1868
    Engine 36 moved to 104 E 126th St                                                        1893
    Engine 36 moved to new firehouse 1849 Park Avenue                              1894
    Engine 36 moved to 120 E 125th Street former quarters Ladder 14          1975
    Engine 36 moved to 2282 3rd Avenue at Engine 35                                  2000
    Engine 36 moved to 120 E 125th Street                                                  2000
    Engine 36 disbanded                                                                            2003

    Battalion 12 organized 133 W 99th Street                                              1893
    Battalion 12 moved to 120 E 125th Street at Ladder 14                          1898
    Battalion 12 moved 3431 White Plains Road at Engine 62                        1903
    Battalion 12 moved to 120 E 125th Street at Ladder 14                          1904 
    Battalion 12 moved to new firehouse 2282 3rd Avenue w/Engine 35        1974
    Battalion 12 moved to 120 E 125th Street at Engine 36                          1990
    Battalion 12 moved to 2282 3rd Avenue at Engine 35                              1995

    Battalion 12-2 organized 120 E 125th Street at Ladder 14                      1968
    Battalion 12-2 disbanded                                                                      1969   

   
History volunteer Pocahontas Engine 49:

    Organized Cherry St and Walnut Street        1832-1835 (no name associated with company)
    Reorganized E 126th St and 3rd Avenue      1835-1857   
    Moved to 2333 4th Avenue                          1857-1865
    Disbanded                                                  1865

    "Pocahontas  (the second No. 49). After the great fire of 1835, the residents of Harlem, feeling themselves not fully protected by the one Engine Company-No. 35-stationed in their section of the city, set to work to organize another engine company, and 49 came into existence and located in 126th Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues, under the old station house. This house had a fire bell on it, as had the next house to which they removed in 1857. This was a new brick building on the east side of 4th Avenue, between 126th and 127th Streets, and is now used by Engine Company No. 36 of the Paid Department. At the time of their organization Gouverneur Morris ran a milk dairy in Harlem, which he called the "Pocahontas Dairy," and their old gooseneck engine, which was built in 1826, and was painted white, was christened "Pocahontas." They had the back painted with a representation of Pocahontas saving the life of Captain John Smith, and did duty with this engine until 1854, when they received a new Carson piano engine of third-class caliber. The old engine was laid aside, and now graces one of the upper floors of the repair shops of the present Fire Department in W 3rd Street. The back remains the same, but the box has been painted a dark color. John S. Kenyon was the first foreman, and was elected an assistant engineer in 1840; Warren Brady followed him as foreman. At a fire in Astoria at a tar factory in 1842, one of the former members of this company, William R. Kilpatrick contracted a severe cold, from which he lost his eyesight, and although alive, and well at this time, has never regained his sight. The trustees of the Benevolent Fund have for years stood by him. Wm. E. Pabor, Wm. Tabele, and Epenetus Doughty were among the early foremen of this company,, and Henry P. McGown, now civil justice, held the position of foreman for ten years, being succeeded in 1855 by E. W. Gardner, who had been assistant fireman. Wm. T. Mawbay, of this company, was elected a foreman of No. 8 Engine, was also members for a number of years. The Harlem Base Ball Club (celebrated from 1857 to 1860) contained several members of this company. Michael Kennedy succeeded Gardner as foreman, with A. A. Liscomb as assistant. In 1861 the company discarded the Carson engine, and took in its place the engine that had been used by No. 26 Engine Company, and replaced by a steam engine. It was of the piano style, but of a much lighter build than their former engine. Wm. H. Waterson and A. J. Walsh were at that time elected as foreman and assistant of the company. Cuthbert W. Ridley followed in 1862 as foreman and was elected an assistant engineer in 1863. Thomas C. Kennedy, who was assistant foreman, was elected foreman, and held the office till the company went out of service in 1865." -  From ?Our Firemen ? the History of the NY Fire Department?

    ?Pocahontas engine, No. 49:  Foreman, Andrew J. Walsh. Located the east side of 4th Avenue, between 126th and 127th streets; performs duty in Harlem and vicinity. House in good order; engine third class, piano style, four 7-inch cylinders, 4 1/2-inch stroke, patent capstan, in good condition; built in 1853, by Pine & Hartshorn; rebuilt in 1859, by the same; formerly belonged to Engine Company No. 26; present number of men, 18; 400 feet of hose in ordinary condition, and 400 feet bad.? - From ?Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York? by D.T. Valentine 1865

Suburban Engine 36:

    Suburban engine and ladder companies were originally organized in some outlying areas of the city which were less built up, had poorer roads and poor water supplies.  Suburban engine and ladder companies were staffed differently, operated differently and were paid less than other regular companies.  Suburban members were able to work other civilian jobs but had to comply with all Department rules and regulations, sleep in the firehouse at night, respond to all alarms and attend two afternoon drills per month.  Suburban companies were equipped with hand drawn pumpers and hand drawn ladder trucks due to the poor roads and limited structures in response districts. 
 

Engine 36 original personnel:

    Assistant Foreman:  John A. Cowie; Engineer of Steamer:  George Jarvis; Firemen:  Adam Jacoby; George A. Campbell;  Hosemen:  James Crowley; Henry C. Mount; Thomas B. Morris; Michael Daily; James Brodie; William O. Seaman; William Johnson; Henry L. Nunns


Engine 36 original quarters:

   


Engine 36 120 E. 125th Street firehouse:

   

   

   


Firehouse history:

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/emilio_guerra/4306511272

    http://www.neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org/db/bb_files/1997FireHookLadder14.pdf


Engine 36 1929 Seagrave:
   
   


Engine 36 1937:

   

   


Engine 36 1958 Mack:

   


Engine 36:

   




Engine 36 120 E 125th St firehouse (Ladder 14 former firehouse):

   

   


Engine 36 Runs and Workers 1975-2002:

Year  Engine  Runs  EMS  Workers  OSW
1975  36      4280    0      3087        0 
1976  36      4420    0      3265        0 
1977  36      3996    0      2856        0 
1978  36      3686    0      2469        0 
1979  36      2579    0      1387        0 
1980  36      2887    0      1607        0 
1981  36      2625    0      1359        0 
1982  36      2430    0      1326        0 
1983  36      2319    0      1275      258 
1984  36      2231    0      1197        0 
1985  36      2278    0      1265      270 
1986  36      2166    0      1176      215 
1987  36      2392    0      1212      204 
1988  36      2685    0      1442      255 
1989  36      2643    0      1427      269 
1990  36      2850    0      1430      213 
1991  36      2898    0      1479      226 
1992  36      3148    0      1531      333 
1993  36      3004    0      1441      311 
1994  36      2808    0      1232      264 
1995  36      2698    0      1372      248 
1996  36      2457 151    1409      188 
1997  36      2859 626    1644      239 
1998  36      2891 687    1703      219 
1999  36      2960 691    1763      230 
2000  36      2932 699    1700      213 
2001  36      2845 690    1580      172 
2002  36      2759 768    1669      194


Engine 36 medals:

    FF Denis M Ryer, September 26, 1894 James Gordon Bennett Medal

         

          https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSvcid=483424&GRid=163267806&

    FF Harry A. Leech, April 10, 1935  Prentice Medal

    CAPT Theron A. Bingham, January 18, 1962, Johnson Medal


Engine 36 LODDs - RIP:

    FF John Banks, March 31, 1894

    FF Andrew B George, January 3, 1939
         
         

    FF Emile A Steiner, May 22, 1944

    FF Elbert Hardman, January 9, 1945

         

          Killed w/ FF Tuite when caught under a collapsing wall while operating a deck gun in front of a burning 6-story warehouse involved in a 4-alarm fire. The hose wagon was destroyed.

    FF Nelson L Tuite, January 9, 1945

         

          Killed w/ FF Hardman when caught under a collapsing wall while operating a deck gun in front of a burning 6-story warehouse involved in a 4-alarm fire. The hose wagon was destroyed.


          Video of Lee Brothers Warehouse fire which took the lives of FF Tuite and FF Hardman, Engine 36, January 9, 1945:

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3CHU8SuokM

   
    FF Philip C Smith, October 5, 1968

         


Battalion 12 LODD:

    FF George L. Collins, November 15, 1968

         

          FF Collins died as a result of the acute heart attack he suffered July 8th while working at a fire.


    RIP.  Never forget.


120 E 125th Street former firehouse current use:

    http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120110/harlem/landmark-harlem-firehouse-be-reborn-as-afrocaribbean-cultural-institute

    http://www.denhamwolf.com/Denham-Wolf-Projects.php?p=170


East Harlem:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Harlem


   

 

[mack]

Lee Brothers Warehouse Fire  - January 9, 1945  - LODDs FF Elbert Hardman, Engine 36, and FF Nelson Tuite, Engine 36  - RIP.  Never forget.

Manhattan Box 4-4-1455 8th Avenue and W 123rd Street 
Address:  2296 8th Avenue
Fire Building:  Lee Brothers Warehouse

   

   


Chief in Command:  Commissioner and Chief of Department Patrick Walsh w/Mayor LaGuardia:

   


FF Hardman and FF Tuite were operating a deckpipe on Engine 36's 1929 Seagrave hose wagon:

   

          - Note: firefighters in picture are unknown


Prior to explosion and collapse:

   


An explosion by an unknown source blew out the front of the warehouse and buried Engine 36's hose wagon and FF Hardman and Tuite, causing their deaths.  The explosion also buried Hook and Ladder 40's 1940 85 foot Ahrens Fox aerial ladder, which was later rebuilt.

   


This 70 year old video captures the intensity of this fire fought in freezing winter weather:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3CHU8SuokM


36 engines, 13 hook and ladders and 3 water towers fought this fire.  There were two other multiple alarm fires in Harlem at the same time the Lee Warehouse Fire was in progress.


   
Additional information:

    https://www.statter911.com/2014/07/03/1945-film-show-fdny-apparatus-crushed-large-warehouse-fire/

 

[lucky]

I have a photo of a 1953 ALF with wooden top with 26 on it. It might have been the second section's rig. I'm not sure how to send it. I know how through an E mail.

 

[guitarman314]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

  Ladder 26-2 was organized on August 10, 1968 and assigned a 1953 ALF (#363) that was formerly L28's. 

 

[guitarman314]

Paging thru an old E 43 company journal from 1962 once-  they went to E 46 on a relocate on almost every day that I looked at.

  Back before 1969, Engines 38, 41, 42, 43, 48, 50, 81, 83, 89, 90 & 94 relocated and their firehouses were not filled. Engines 45, 46, 52, 60, 63, 64, 68, 70, 71, 73, 75, 79, 82, 92 & 97 were "must fill" companies.  Ladder companies 17*, 27, 31*, 33, 37, 39*, 41, 42, 44*, 47, 51*, 52*, & 53* were "must fill" companies although a couple did some relocating, those with an (*) were Key companies and never relocated.

  There were some "must fill" companies that relocated sometimes like L33 often relocated to L27 and L42 relocated to L44 on a couple of Washington Hts. boxes. L47 used to relocate to L51. 

 

[mack]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

  Ladder 26-2 was organized on August 10, 1968 and assigned a 1953 ALF (#363) that was formerly L28's. 

Thanks Gman.  It is interesting that Ladder 26-2, which would be a very busy unit, was assigned a 15 year old tiller when organized in such a very high response area.  They did over 25000 runs from mid-1968 to 1974.

I also think Ladder 26 had a second section for a period in the late 1950s.  Do you know what apparatus 26-2 was assigned when in service in the late 1950s?

 

[mack]

"Signal 9-2 NY Firemen in Action"  FDNY

    1950s video:  Fire alarm box pulled; FDNY dispatcher receipt of alarm; telegraph signal; response by Engine 287/Ladder 136/Battalion 46; communication with dispatcher by fire alarm box telegraph; response by Engine 288


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJDo6NO5CHg

 

[manhattan]

I?m quite sure that I remember first seeing this film at the old Fire Museum on Duane Street many years ago.  Looking at it now, I see some points of nostalgia: the House Watch actually wearing a necktie, jacket and uniform hat; the engine pulling out of the bay before all members are on the back step; truckies riding on the side step; the chief?s blue cap cover; use of the pole hole; the bubble gum light; the engine is following the truck going to the box; each apparatus and the chief?s car all have working bells; the firemen actually running to the box when they arrive (note that the apparatus is neatly parked at the curb half-a-block away); a cop (probably on a foot post) actually directing traffic; a pompier ladder on the side of the engine.  There are also the old dark green traffic lights and the street lamps (which have actually started making a come-back in some neighborhoods).  Of course the apparatus, helmets and turnouts have all evolved as has the alarm box itself, especially with the telegraph key.  As for the dispatchers? office, I?ll leave that to others.

One thing that remains a constant is the damage and destruction that can be caused by fire.

Thanks for posting this, mack.

 

[guitarman314]

i was asked by a friend (who is a RET BC that was an original Member of LAD*26-2) if anybody has a photo of 26-2s original Tiller either a '53 or '56 ALF ?

  Ladder 26-2 was organized on August 10, 1968 and assigned a 1953 ALF (#363) that was formerly L28's. 

Thanks Gman.  It is interesting that Ladder 26-2, which would be a very busy unit, was assigned a 15 year old tiller when organized in such a very high response area.  They did over 25000 runs from mid-1968 to 1974.

I also think Ladder 26 had a second section for a period in the late 1950s.  Do you know what apparatus 26-2 was assigned when in service in the late 1950s?

  Ladder 26 had a 1937 Seagrave 85ft. wooden stick (shop #318) which was originally assigned to L6 but was too long to respond around Chinatown. L6 got a 1941 Seagrave 75ft. and the 1937 85ft. went to L26. The '37 Seagrave served them until 1953, when they got a 1953 Pirsch 85ft. (#356) metal aerial with an old style flip over tiller seat. It was one of three Pirsch tillers with the other two going to L31 and L123. That rig would be followed by their 1960 ALF 900 series 100ft. aerial. I don't know for sure what kind of rig their 22-2 had but maybe it was the former L22-2's 1930 Seagrave 75ft. (#279) with a 1947 WLF tractor since L26-2 was formed on March 11, 1957, the same day L22-2 was disbanded to make room at 766 Amsterdam Ave. firehouse for E76 & BC11. Water Tower #4 used to be at L26's 2-bay firehouse at 52 E. 114th St. until it was disbanded on March 9, 1957, two days before L26-2 was reorganized there. BTW, that L26-2 was disbanded on April 20, 1959.

 

[68jk09]

The earliest Wooden Tiller that i remember riding on (in between the Officer & my Dad) was probably as an eight year old with my Dad driving in LAD*43 on East 111 St but i certainly remember riding many times on their '53 ALF Tiller in the jump seat behind the Officer.

 

[JOR176]

Gman, I also remember L4 having a Peter Pirsch and might have been older that the other three as L4 had doors on the tractor.