FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

[mack]

This is a well written article related to the above posting written by a brother police officer.  It highlights the plight NYPD and FDNY widows and children endured in the past. 

http://www.bjwhalen.com/berniearticle.htm

The widow of Detective Joe Lynch received 1/2 of his pay ($1600 annually) and $50 per month for 100 months - provided she did not remarry and that she made the bed of the precinct police captain daily.  This was common practice of the day.

Brother detectives and cops from the 50th precinct took care of the Lynch family.  Also, members of the NY Yankees quietly remembered the family, to include Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.

I remember meeting matrons who were LODD widows in several firehouses when I was a kid.  Many were quite elderly.  They were treated with dignity and respect by all members. 


Memorial  placed in 1964 in honor of both detectives:  http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fmcp/monuments/1205

 

[mack]

At the conclusion of the 1939-1940 World's Fair, the Fair's five Ahrens-Fox pumpers (two HT models and three SC models) were turned over to FDNY. The two HT models were assigned as regular apparatus of engine companies. The three smaller SC models were assigned as the second piece (hose wagon) of engine companies. One had an overhead ladder rack added to carry a portable 35-foot metal extension ladder, an innovation at the time. Another was equipped with a bank of eight manifolded carbon dioxide cylinders, each with a capacity of fifty pounds, and two hose reels, each having 1000 feet of one-inch hose to discharge the carbon dioxide. The conversion of this unit was accomplished by the Carbon Dioxide Fire Equipment Company of Newark, New Jersey, in 1941 and was "state-of-the-art" for airport fire protection at that time. The "new" crash truck was assigned to the LaGuardia Airport Crash Unit on April 19, 1941. When the New York Port Authority assumed responsibility for aircraft crash-fire-rescue at the city's airports, this rig was reconverted back into a pumper.

Per "Worlds Fair Community"  http://www.worldsfaircommunity.org/topic/9685-some-random-photos/page-3

 

[mack]

Hose 8 (FDNY)/Ladder 130 (established as Ladder 80 FDNY)/CEC 130 FDNY/Engine 296 FDNY- quarters - 18-18 125th St College Point, Queens  - original firehouse of Eagle H&L Company 1 College Point Fire Dept 1854-1908
    FDNY Hose 8 1908-1818
    FDNY Ladder 130 (originally Ladder 80) 1908-1931
    FDNY Engine 296 1918-1961 (disbanded)
    * FDNY CEC 130 (dates unknown)

Firehouse prior to FDNY transition:


College Point FD engine or hose responding:


College Point Fire Department had 3 engine companies and 1 ladder company when converted to FDNY in 1908:
    Engines - Touchdown Steamer (unknown location); Union Hose (16th St);  Enterprise Hose 2 (518 5th St); 
    Ladder - Eagle H&L 1 (18-18 125th St)

In 1908, the 52nd Bn was formed with Engines 172 (E 272), 173 (E 273), 174 (E 274); Hose Companies 8 (E 296) and 9 (E 297); and H&L Companies 79 (L 129) and 80 (L 130).  All companies were organized in former volunteer company firehouses.

In 1918, the 125th St firehouse was rebuilt in 1918 for Engine 296.

1873 interactive map of College Point (note different street numbering): http://www.geographicus.com/P/AntiqueMap/CollegePoint-beers-1873

1897 Brookly Daily Eagle Almanac of all Long Island Fire Companies (includes sections of Queens befor incorportation into NYC):
http://books.google.com/books?id=C8EWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=eagle+hose+company+college+point&source=bl&ots=H1rqwTU6qs&sig=-WAOI61NQbMi3QzB27jRrgjj5rk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7kHjUIa4OsaH0QHR_4DwCg&sqi=2&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=eagle%20hose%20company%20college%20point&f=false

 

[memory master]

There is a very old firehouse (don't remember what it is now) on the west side of 123 street about 200' north of 14th avenue in College Point. This possibly was the home of the Touchdown Steamer. As far as 296 old quarters, well it looked just about the same in the late 70's when it was torn down. Never much improvement there. Thanks for the College Point history!

 

[mack]

The old firehouse building on 123 St is Fireman's Hall, built in 1906 by the Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Association of College Point.  It is currently owned by the College Point Little League.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firemen%27s_Hall_(College_Point,_New_York)

 

[mack]

Engine 254 - originally formed as Brooklyn Fire Dept Engine 54 at 56 Gravesend Neck Road in 1895 - became FDNY Engine 54 in 1895 - became Engine 154 in 1899 - moved to 2310 Ocean Parkway in 1911 - changed to Engine 254 in 1913 - new quarters at 901 Ave U in 1924

Picture of E 254 firehouse 2310 Ocean Parkway:

 

[mack]

Rossville H&L 1  Rossville, Staten Island







Note - Rossville H&L 1 later moved to firehouse at 2355 Arthur Kill Rd - still standing (animal feed store)


Rossville currently covered by E 168 - 1100 Rossville Avenue  - also EMS Bn 23:

 

[mack]

Engine 267 FDNY (organized as E 167) original firehouse at 102-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd  Rockaway Queens -1905-1922



Engine 267 moved to new quarters with Engine 266 at 92-22 Rockaway Beach Blvd in 1922


Engine 267 was disbanded in 1972.

Memories of Rockaway buff:
http://www.farrockaway.com/fdnyhistory.html

 

[guitarman314]

Engine 267 FDNY (organized as E 167) original firehouse at 102-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd  Rockaway Queens -1905-1922



Engine 267 moved to new quarters with Engine 266 at 92-22 Rockaway Beach Blvd in 1922


Engine 267 was disbanded in 1972.

Memories of Rockaway buff:
http://www.farrockaway.com/fdnyhistory.html

  Ladder 121 was also in that firehouse for many years

 

[68jk09]

Excellent link to the Rockaway stories by John Kelly Thank You....also the 92 St FH that was 266/267/121 from time to time also housed BN*47 until the new house was built in the Beach 50s & also housing EMS....also BN*74 has remained in service in the Rockaways since the superstorm sandy....i am not sure but they may be operating out of 266 now.

 

[mack]

E 263/L 117/Bn 46 - former firehouse  - 40-08 Astoria Blvd  Queens
    1894 - organized as E 5 and L 4 Long Island City FD
    1898 - changed to E 6/L 4 FDNY
    1899 - changed to E 163/L 67
    1906 - Bn 46 organized at 40-08 Astoria Blvd
    1909 - E 163 and L 67 moved to new quarters 4206 Astoria Blvd/Bn 46 disbanded (Bn 46 reorganized in 1913 at E 287)
    1913 - changed to E 263/L117

40-08 Astoria Blvd Firehouse:


E 163 (E263):


L 67 (L 117):


L67 (L 117):

Quarters at 365 Flushing Ave

42-06 Astoria Blvd Firehouse:




L 117 Responding 1992:
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIQcx.dQaFUAZvf7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBvbGgza2Q0BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjExNg--?p=fdny+engine+263&vid=0b4499da2b893458211824d64297bee2&l=&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4576314302922809%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTmgCUY4GuIA&tit=FDNY+Ladder+117+Engine+263+Emergency+Response.+vol+II+of+II&c=1&sigr=11aktkok1&&tt=b

 

[mack]

Engine 76/Engine 76-2/Bn 11  firehouse  105 W 102nd St 

    Engine 76 organized 105 W 102nd St                                                                                  1904
    Engine 76 moved to 766 Amsterdam Ave at Ladder 22                                                            1957
    Engine 76 moved to new firehouse 145 W 100th St w/Ladder 22/Bn 11                                    1960

    Engine 76-2 organized 105 W 102nd St w/Engine 76                                                              1904
    Engine 76-2 disbanded                                                                                                        1946                     
   
    Bn 11 organized 133 W 99th St former quarters Bn 16                                                            1904
    Bn 11 moved to 105 W 102nd St at Engine 76 and Engine 76-2                                              1904
    Bn 11 moved to 766 Amsterdam Ave at Ladder 22                                                                  1957
    Bn 11 moved to new firehouse 145 W 100th St w/Engine 76/Ladder 22                                    1960

    Ladder 22 organized 766 Amsterdam Avenue former quarters of Combined Engine Company 47  1891
    Ladder 22 moved to 145 W 100th St firehouse w.Engine 76 and Bn 11                                      1960


102nd St Firehouse:


Inside Firehouse Engine 76:


Engine 76:


Engine 76:




Ladder 22 766 Amsterdam Avenue firehouse:




766 Amsterdam Ave firehouse today:


W 102nd St today:


145 W 100th St firehouse:


Battalion chief 11 + Engine 76 + Tower 22 FDNY

 

[nfd2004]

Some EXCELLENT Photos and Stories on the history of many FDNY Firehouses. I enjoy reading this and seeing the photos posted.

  Thank you to ALL who have contributed to this thread. Adding it to my collection on my FDNY scan disk.

 

[manhattan]

Yes, some great postings!

 

[mack]

Deraismes Hose Company 1  Union and Maple St  Queens - established 1892/disbanded 1915 served with Deraismes Engine Company 1 in same firehouse  - neighborhood listed as Brooklyn Hills



Deraismes Hose Company 1902 plans to build a new firehouse at Union Place and Maple:

http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=BEG/1902/09/14/41/Ar04112.xml&CollName=BEG_APA3_1900-1905&DOCID=642171&PageLabelPrint=&Skin=%42%45%61%67%6c%65&AppName=%32&GZ=%54&sPublication=%42%45%47&sQuery=%64%65%72%61%69%73%6d%65%73%20%68%6f%73%65%20&sSorting=%25%35%33%25%36%33%25%36%66%25%37%32%25%36%35%25%32%63%25%36%34%25%36%35%25%37%33%25%36%33&sDateFrom=%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%38%25%33%34%25%33%31&sDateTo=%25%33%31%25%33%32%25%32%66%25%33%33%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%39%25%33%30%25%33%32&ViewMode=GIF&GZ=T

 

[memory master]

Does anyone have a picture of E16 old quarters at 223 E.25th Street? Haven't seen that building as a firehouse since I was 10. Thanks in advance.

 

[mack]

Brooklyn Navy Yard Fire Department

The BNY was established in 1801.  It is located on the East River in Wallabout Basin.  It is famous for building warships for the US Navy.  It was expanded in World War II to 200 acres; employed 70,000 people; operated 24/7; was involved with building or outfitting the USS Monitor (Civil War's 1st ironclad), battleship USS Maine (sunk to start Spanish American War); PT 109 (JFK's torpedoed boat , the battleship USS Missouri (surrender of Japan signed on boat) and many carriers.  The BNY was decommissioned by the US Navy in 1966 and became an area of private manufacturing and commercial activity.  During its period of service with the US Navy, it was protected by a federal career fire department located in Bldg # 74.

BNYFD Firehouse 1927:


BNYFD  1927:


BNYFD Firehouse Bunkroom 1927:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Yard%2C_Brooklyn

1900 (approx) Main Gate:


BNY 1944:


Constellation Fire 1960:

The USS Constellation aircraft carrier, while being fitted out, caught fire on December 19, 1960.  The fire was started by a forklift truck accident.  The initial alarm for Box 308 was transmitted at 1030.  The 5th alarm was transmitted by COD David within 30 minutes.  A 5th alarm simultaneous call from Manhattan box 277 brought 59 companies to this fire.  Over 3200 workmen were on the carrier and countless rescues were made by members.  50 died, 336 were injured and 40 FDNY members sustained injuries. 65 lines were put in operation. 
http://nychistory.blogspot.com/2010/12/brooklyn-navy-yard-fire-december-20.html

BNY 1960s:


http://ussenright.org/photos_brooklyn_navy_yard.htm

4th Alarm BNY 1995:
http://www.1strespondernews.com/webpages/news/DisplayNews.aspx?PT=state&state=NY&ID=84923053-4245-4620-b7b8-4875e3264112

 

[memory master]

Who took the pole from the bunkroom to the apparatus floor???

 

[mack]

Brooklyn Engine 251 (FDNY) was originally located at 47/48 Washington Ave.  Established as BFD Engine 51 in 1897.  Became FDNY Engine 151 and then Engine 251 when Brooklyn became part of NYC.  Engine 251 protected the Wallabout Market (see early map below) section of Brooklyn until the BNY expanded in 1941.  It was moved to Engine 211's quarters and disbanded after World War II in 1946.  Engine 251 Queens was established in 1952.

Engine 251 Wallabout Market Firehouse Washington Ave Bklyn:


1896 bid to build new Wallabout firehouse for BFD Engine 51:
http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=BEG/1896/05/28/2/Ar00217.xml&CollName=BEG_APA3_1895-1899&DOCID=264316&PageLabelPrint=&Skin=%42%45%61%67%6c%65&AppName=%32&GZ=%54&sPublication=%42%45%47&sQuery=%65%6e%67%69%6e%65%20%35%31&sSorting=%25%35%33%25%36%33%25%36%66%25%37%32%25%36%35%25%32%63%25%36%34%25%36%35%25%37%33%25%36%33&sDateFrom=%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%38%25%33%34%25%33%31&sDateTo=%25%33%31%25%33%32%25%32%66%25%33%33%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%39%25%33%30%25%33%32&ViewMode=GIF&GZ=T

Wallabout Market 1920s (2nd largest food market in world):






1898 Newspaper account of Engine 51 and other BFD firemen being disciplined:
http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=BEG/1898/04/21/12/Ar01212.xml&CollName=BEG_APA3_1895-1899&DOCID=648085&PageLabelPrint=&Skin=%42%45%61%67%6c%65&GZ=%54&sPublication=%42%45%47&sQuery=%65%6e%67%69%6e%65%20%35%31&sSorting=%25%35%33%25%36%33%25%36%66%25%37%32%25%36%35%25%32%63%25%36%34%25%36%35%25%37%33%25%36%33&sDateFrom=%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%38%25%33%34%25%33%31&sDateTo=%25%33%31%25%33%32%25%32%66%25%33%33%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%39%25%33%30%25%33%32&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%38&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

1898 newspaper account of 4 alarm fire Engine 51 responded to:
http://eagle.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=BEG/1898/06/21/3/Ar00302.xml&CollName=BEG_APA3_1895-1899&DOCID=682998&PageLabelPrint=&Skin=%42%45%61%67%6c%65&GZ=%54&sPublication=%42%45%47&sQuery=%65%6e%67%69%6e%65%20%35%31&sSorting=%25%35%33%25%36%33%25%36%66%25%37%32%25%36%35%25%32%63%25%36%34%25%36%35%25%37%33%25%36%33&sDateFrom=%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%30%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%38%25%33%34%25%33%31&sDateTo=%25%33%31%25%33%32%25%32%66%25%33%33%25%33%31%25%32%66%25%33%31%25%33%39%25%33%30%25%33%32&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%34%30&ViewMode=GIF&GZ=T

LODD - February 26, 1920, all 6 members of Engine 251 (FDNY) were killed by burns when a pier on which they were operating was ignited by a fuel leak.


Early map of undeveloped Wallabout area:

 

[mack]

Engine 251 Brooklyn Union Gas Fire February 26, 1920 Box # 33-543, 556 KENT AVE.:

A small fire took place earlier in the evening on a barge moored in the Wallabout Canal. Engine Co. 251 was ordered to stay behind to ensure the barge fire was extinguished.  An hour later an oil tank exploded. It is believed a stray ember from the barge reached oil seeping into the river from the oil tank. Engine 251 was trapped in a pump house and engulfed by a sea of fire.  6  members were killed.

FIREFIGHTER THOMAS F. BRENNAN ENG 251, died FEBRUARY 26, 1920, BURNT TO DEATH
FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL KARKEL ENG 251, died FEBRUARY 26, 1920, BURNT TO DEATH
FIREFIGHTER JAMES BRENNAN ENG 251, injured FEB. 26, 1920, died FEBRUARY 28, 1920, BURNS
FIREFIGHTER FRANK CALLMEYER ENG 251, injured FEB. 26, 1920, died MARCH 3, 1920 BURNS
FIREFIGHTER JAMES J. HUGHES (1), ENGINE 251, injured FEB. 26, died 1920 MARCH 3, 1920
CAPTAIN SAMUEL BROWN, ENG 251, Injured FEB. 26, 1920 died Mar. 26, 1920  BURNS

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00E13F83A55157A93C5AB1789D85F448285F9