FDNY apparatus placement

Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
5,747
Going through these photos, explains one of the Main Reasons why I used to buff the FDNY.

Anybody who wants to learn the job - it certainly is the place to be, even just by watching.
Whether it be a private dwelling, a row frame, a queen ann, a multiple dwelling, or at times even a brush fire, the FDNYs been there and done that.

And not just fires.
A car accident or maybe a water rescue too.

I sure was a very lucky guy to be able to watch them at work for many, many years.
I know of a lot of other guys too, who did the same thing and they would agree.
 
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
16,192
Good Aerial Ladder placement to a roof.... www.nycfire.net/forums/attachments/img_8799-jpeg.38625/ I always used to teach FFs to place it 13 feet past the roof line rather than the old two feet above the roof line.....this makes it easier to get sight of the Tip in a smoke condition & also if FFs are trapped on a roof & Fire is venting below the Aerial & or thru the lower rungs the FF could climb onto the under side of the Aerial closer to the Tip ( & preferably hook on ) & be lifted off the Roof.....guys would ask me why I said 13 feet not 12 ? .....it was just a number I thought might remain in their memory bank longer than an even number.....either way higher is better,
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2022
Messages
409
"The address of the fire building belongs to the truck" In this case L-19. The Engine can stop drop hose and then pull forward to the hydrant. Also, by having the Engine pull past the building the officer can normally get a view of 2 sides of the fire building. The biggest mistake it see, is failure of "ALL" Engine Companies responding to get a viable water source for a confirmed or real potential working fire. Having over 50 years' experience as both a FDNY and a Volunteer firefighter, I must state "Put reliable water on the fire and good things tend to happen, don't put water on the fire and bad things happen." It is very rare, but I have seen the Engine Company in front of the fire building to use a large Caliber Stream to protect people trapped on a fire escape exposed to fire or fire auto exposing from below where the people are trapped. Other than that, very rare situation the truck belongs and stay in front of the building. Consideration must be given to access for Tower Ladders or Snorkels to the front, and sides of the building for advanced fires. Tower Ladder and Snorkel buckets make a great place to remove trapped people, for their safe removal. Aerial Ladders are important also but are more difficult to use by both civilians and firefighters.
PHOTO BELOW 2nd Alarm Box 2310, Melrose Ave. & E-152 St. South Bronx People trapped on Fire Escape on 5/6/85
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retiredmelrose & E. 152-3.jpgmelrose & E. 152-3.jpg
 
Last edited:
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
848
See L 51 bucket placement in the above set of photos. LCC positioned rig on E. 214 St and raised the bucket to the rear of the fire building via the rear yard of exposure 4. They have a 75ft spare and still made it. First class work.

The fire building side of this tight block has power lines.
 
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
16,192
img_6362-jpeg.45108
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2022
Messages
409
I fully believe that the "Address belongs to the Truck". There is little reason to block the truck, be it Aerial of Tower Ladder from the front of the fire building. If the hydrant is in front of or close to the front of the building the Engine can if needed do "Inline Pumping" or request a "Hose relay" and not seriously delay water application. The only other thing is if the Large Caliber Stream mounted or applied to the Engine is need for an "Aggressive Exterior Attack", Or as Chicago FD calls it "Resetting the Fire." Then the Engine company may need to be in front of the fire building/s for Large Caliber Stream use. On wide streets it is easier for both the Engine and the Truck to be in front of the fire building if needed. If the fire has self-vented before the F.D. arrival a Tower Ladder should be in front of the fire building with the exception as needed to place the Engine Large Caliber Stream in front of the fire building, if the Tower Ladder is delayed or it's positioning compromised.
Prospect Heights Conflagration in Very Large Apartment Complexes.jpgPhilly FD 5 alrm Plus Radiant heat Vs. Deck Gun 2011.jpg Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
Top