FDNY: Frequently Asked Questions

[Bulldog]

Seeing the complete list of cars including the fire commissioners cards and staff and having grown up in an area where they didn't have fire commissioners I have a question. Why do many large cities have fire commissioners in addition to the officers of the fire department? It seems like they are just a redundant level and everything could be handled by adding a few additional officers to the fire department ranks. I believe from what I've read elsewhere and here that they are also more politically oriented positions. Is that true?

 

[OMalley]

There are certain companies strategically placed throughout the city which have this training - to respond generally to active shooter or IED events where large casualties may exists.

There is also a part of this task force which pre-deploys to large events of interest like a parade.

The CTTF has been renamed the MCI Rescue Task Force. The department has trained firefighters and EMS members on triage and treatment of patients from active shooter events in the warm zone. Members train with NYPD SRG (Strategic Response Group).

 

[rangermsg1]

There are certain companies strategically placed throughout the city which have this training - to respond generally to active shooter or IED events where large casualties may exists.

There is also a part of this task force which pre-deploys to large events of interest like a parade.

How is the task force assembled? Is it something that comes in through regular dispatch or "back channels" if there is an active event taking place? Obviously IED event with large casualties could generate a 10-60. So this task force would be on-top of the 10-60?

 

[Signal73]

Heres an incident where is was activated

1/4/21 Queens Unusual Incident Box 3130

Location: 88-01 Queens Blvd B-46 has a vehicle with possible explosives. Queens Place mall evacuated. FD staging. PD investigating B-46 requesting OEM for shelter. approx. 700 people evacuated E-287,289,324,292 L-136,138,163(Fast) B-46 D-14 HM-1 HMB E-274 w/ 2nd Piece Car-2C(Deputy...

nycfire.net

 

[rangermsg1]

Heres an incident where is was activated

1/4/21 Queens Unusual Incident Box 3130

Location: 88-01 Queens Blvd B-46 has a vehicle with possible explosives. Queens Place mall evacuated. FD staging. PD investigating B-46 requesting OEM for shelter. approx. 700 people evacuated E-287,289,324,292 L-136,138,163(Fast) B-46 D-14 HM-1 HMB E-274 w/ 2nd Piece Car-2C(Deputy...

nycfire.net

Thanks Signal! So the "Decon Task Force" is part of the CTTF?

 

[Signal73]

Thanks Signal! So the "Decon Task Force" is part of the CTTF?

Sorry I sent a wrong incident. I can't find any incident where one was assembled.

 

[dan]

The TF is only dispatched upon direction of a Staff Chief. Smaller details are used for pre planned events.

 

[Signal73]

Yesterday 2/27/22 There was a 10-76 in Manhattan where the Rebreather Unit was used

Here is a link to an older post with some information on the units

REBREATHER UNITS

What is the rebreather units used for and what are the location. i heard them call rebreather 2

nycfire.net

Here is also the link to the incident where videos have been posted where you can see the equipment

2/27/22 Manhattan All-Hands 10-76 Box 862

575 Lexington Ave @ East 51 Street - half block down from E8/L2/BC8 quarters…might be the building on top of quarters (or connected). Home box for 8/2/8? Heavy smoke 2 floors below grade BC8 to MAN: Transmit a 10-76, we have heavy smoke 2 floors down below in the basement CIDS: 35-story...

nycfire.net

Rebreather Trained Units:

Manhattan:
R1 Sq18 E44 L1 L7 L14 L25 L45 B2 B6 B7 B11 B12 RB1

Bronx:
R3 Sq41 Sq18 L27 L42 L46 L47 L50 B14

Brooklyn:
R2 Sq1 Sq252 E250 L131 L132 L146 L169 L170 L175 B28 B31 B32 B35 B43 B44 B48 SB1

Queens:
R4 Sq270 Sq288 E274 L117 L121 L126 L136 L144 L150 L152 B45 B46 B49 B50 B51 HB1

Staten Island:
R5 Sq8 E165 L77 L79 B21 B22

 

[BISKET721]

I have a question. I know that staff chiefs are assigned on a rotating bases for citywide coverage after hours, etc. But where do they respond from? Are they quartered in with a company some where or do they respond from Metrotech, home, etc. ?

 

[Signal73]

Might be the wrong thread but what is CTTF? Counter Terrorism Task Force? If so, how is used/deployed?

CTTF Division Task Forces

Division 1
E-24 E-5 L-5 B-2

Division 3
E-8 E-65 L-2 B-8

Division 6
E-59 E-83 L-29 B-14

Division 7
E-48 E-67 L-56 B-18

Division 8
E-164 E-166 L-86 B-22

Division 8
E-243 E-253 L-168 B-42

Division 11
E-240 E-282 L-148 B-48

Division 13
E-275 E-315 L-133 B-50

Division 14
E-259 E-319 L-128 B-45

Division 15
E-248 E-276 L-156 B-41

 

[Signal73]

Some useless information (As I am bored at work)

Dispatch protocol still has a Satellite assigned when a Marine Company goes to work for a land operation.

(From MAC8146)
In the Fieldston section of Riverdale in The Bronx NY, the water mains were grossly undersized
Satellite 2 was assigned on any 10-75 in the Riverdale section.
The mains were replaced but the assignment hasn’t changed for 72 and satellite.

The area is North of West 230th St & West of Broadway.

Also assigned on the 10-75 in City Island, Edgewater Park as well as the Whitestone Bridge.

Brooklyn Boxes where the Satellite is assigned on the 10-75
1409: 1st Ave & 41st St
1412: 2nd Ave & 40th St
1413: 1st Ave & 39th St
1415 3rd Ave & 37th St
1416: 2nd Ave & 36th St
1417: 3rd Ave & 35th St
1418: 2nd Ave & 34th St
1419: 3rd Ave & 33rd St

Staten Island Borough Wide on the All Hands originally, due to lack of hydrants in undeveloped areas.
Still good policy. Many of the older neighborhoods on 6" and 8" mains. Water can be a premium.

Queens:
Both Airport Boxes 269 JFK 37 LGA (They are Automatic 2nd Alarms & 3 are assigned)
Fort Totten

 

[Skyler Fire]

E72 is to take the SAT on reports of fires in Edgewater Park, also for fires on the bridges

 

[memorymaster]

CTTF Division Task Forces

Division 1
E-24 E-5 L-5 B-2

Division 3
E-8 E-65 L-2 B-8

Division 6
E-59 E-83 L-29 B-14

Division 7
E-48 E-67 L-56 B-18

Division 11
E-240 E-282 L-148 B-48

Division 13
E-275 E-315 L-133 B-50

Nothing for Staten Island it seems.

 

[Signal73]

E72 is to take the SAT on reports of fires in Edgewater Park, also for fires on the bridges

Yes I have Edgewater Park...Will add the Bridges as well as other boroughs once I finish digging

 

[Signal73]

Nothing for Staten Island it seems.

Don't have that information could be 165 ? 85 21

 

[Skyler Fire]

Yes I have Edgewater Park...Will add the Bridges as well as other boroughs once I finish digging

Just checked my chart, assigned only on the Whitestone.

 

[Signal73]

the Q&A plus first 3 points were Posted by Catry in 2008 will add to it.

Q: What is a staging box?
A: As its name implies, a staging box is a box transmitted for companies to respond to specific location to standby for further orders. These can be dispatched for a variety of reasons; some examples are:

- Any 10-76 in Lower Manhattan requires staging Boxes 9031 and 9032 to be transmitted in Brooklyn for companies to standby at the bridges.

- At times of heavy fire activity in Staten Island, staging Box 400 may be transmitted for companies to stage at E160's quarters in order to ensure adequate fire protection on the island.

- An incident at Penn Station (Boxes 8171,8172) in Manhattan may be accompanied by Box 8550. Which sends an engine, truck, & chief to each standby at East 30th St & 1st Ave in Manhattan. It also sends an engine, truck, chief & rescue to 54th Ave & 2nd St in Queens.
(If R4 is unavailable nearest available rescue (2-3-5) is to be assigned)

-Jacobi Hospital Medivac Stand By Box 8724 Foam Unit w/ Transport Engine, Purple K Unit w/ Transport Engine, 1 Ladder & 1 Battalion.

-Mount Vernon Mutual Aide Box 3826 Staging at Provost Ave & East 233rd St

-Westchester Mutual Aide Box 4400 Staging at Engine 38, Ladder 51's Quarters

-Westchester Mutual Aide Box 3000 Staging at Engine 81 Ladder 46's Quarters

-New Jersey Via Holland Tunnel Box 500 Staging at Ladder 8's Quarters

-New Jersey Via Lincoln Tunnel Box 600 Staging at Engine 34 Ladder 21's Quarters

-New Jersey Via George Washington Bridge Box 1300 Staging at Engine 93 Ladder 45's Quarters

-New Jersey Via Bayonne Bridge Box 5001 Staging at Engine 157 Ladder 80's Quarters

-New Jersey Via Goethals Bridge Box 5002 Staging at Engine 166 Ladder 86's Quarters

-New Jersey Via Outerbridge Crossing Bridge Box 5003 Staging at Engine 164 Ladder 84's Quarters

-Long Island Mutual Aide Box 500 Staging at Engine 313 Ladder 164's Quarters

-Long Island Mutual Aide Box 600 Staging at Engine 304 Ladder 162's Quarters

-Long Island Mutual Aide Box 700 Staging at Engine 314's Quarters

 

[memorymaster]

I believe that years ago mutual aid to Nassau County was at E313, on the North shore and E314 on the South Shore. Can't swear to it but the boxes at the time may have been 300 and 400 respectively.

 

[Signal73]

Many Many moons ago Catry started this section with a bunch of Qs & As

Trying to look for busy work while at work. I figured I would add to some of the Qs & As.

Hopefully this will help some of the visitors to this site.


Q: What do the High-Rise fire designations mean?
A: The high-rise designations are as follows:
- High-Rise Nozzle Engine: There are several engine companies citywide equipped with a High-Rise Nozzle, a long, bent nozzle that can be used to fight a fire via window from the floor below. A nozzle can be seen here here stored above the hose bed of E14. Usually the 5th-due Engine.
-Engine's that carry High Rise Nozzles are:
Manhattan: E1,4,7,8,14,15,16,22,23,35,40,47,55,64,80,91,93 HR1 HR2
Bronx: E45,50,52,60,64,66,68,90,97
Brooklyn: E202,210,216,217,222,231,234,237,239,243,245,247,248,254,257,290,318
Queens: E258,262,266,268,273,292,304,305,308,315,317,328
Staten Island: E156,160,168

- CFRD Engine: Because EMS workers are not equipped with SCBA, at high rise fires an engine company is assigned to perform CFRD work on the upper floors where SCBA may be required to operate. Usually the 6th-due Engine.
- Lobby Control Engine/Chief: A High-Rise situation can be chaotic, both with the number of residents and responders. Lobby Control crews are responsible for maintaining the lobby, assisting residents out and keeping the lobby clear for other crews.
-Lobby Control Engines:
Manhattan: E8,14,40,55
Bronx: None
Brooklyn: E202,221,239
Queens: E312
Staten Island None

- Safety Officer: Works with the Safety Battalion to ensure the safety of members while operating.

- Ventilation Support Co.: A company equipped with a large Tempest Fan.
-Vent Support Companies:
Manhattan: L23 HR1 HR2
Bronx: L17,33,51,58
Brooklyn: L105,119,124,159,172
Queens: L115,142,160
Staten Island: L80,87

 

[Lebby]

- CFRD Engine: Because EMS workers are not equipped with SCBA, at high rise fires an engine company is assigned to perform CFRD work on the upper floors where SCBA may be required to operate. Usually the 6th-due Engine.

HazTac resources have SCBA, with the Rescue Medics and HazTac Officers going to the floor below on 10-77s. Together with the CFRD engine they provide increased medical capabilities to those on scene.