FDNY Salvage Companies

[svd385]

During the late 70's and into the 80's the FDNY ran several Salvage Companies.  What function did these companies serve, what was their staffing and what kind of rigs and tools did they use?  I do know of other departments who run Salvage units who function the same way that the old Fire Patrol did, but at the time FDNY was running these companies the Fire Patrol was still in service.  The following information has been all I've been able to find about these companies.

SALVAGE 1 BROOKLYN
ORG. 2581 Atlantic Ave. (May 18, 1972)
RELOC. 551 Waverly Ave. (Dec. 3, 1977)
RELOC. 1472 Bergen St. FQ E-234 (Mar. 22, 1979)
RELOC. 657 Liberty Ave. FQ E-332 (Jul. 24, 1985)
DISB. (Dec. 2, 1986)

SALVAGE 2 MANHATTAN
ORG. 242 E. 111th St. At E-91 (Mar. 22, 1979)
DISB. (Jan. 26, 1991)
REORG. 242 E. 111th St. At E-91 (Jan. 31, 1991)
DISB (Feb. 9, 1991)

SALVAGE 3 BRONX
ORG. 2504 Webster Ave. FQ E-48 (Mar. 22, 1979)
DISB. (Jan. 26, 1991)

SALVAGE 4 BROOKLYN
ORG. 648 Pacific St. FQ L-105 (Jun. 30, 1979)
DISB. (Jan. 26, 1991)

SALVAGE 5 BRONX
ORG. 1080 Ogden Ave. FQ E-68 (Sep. 29, 1979)
DISB. (Jul. 1, 1982)


Any information would be appreciated.

Steve​

 

[Disp51]

If I remember correctly, the Salvage companies were formed as part of the federal Model Cities program for disadvantaged youths. They used vans similar to the old squad trucks. While the Fire Patrol serviced commercial structures, the salvage companies would respond to residential calls, for fire, water leaks, etc.

 

[mmattyphoto]

They used different types of rigs over the years.

 

[turk132]

Officer and chauffeur were FDNY members. Salvage responded when special called by Battalion for residential buildings. Fire Patrol did commercial buildings

 

[Bulldog]

A unit very similar still exists today in Rochester New York.  It's called the Protectives.  The fire department provides the truck and a chauffeur but everyone else is volunteer.  They run out of the central station and their main duty is protection of property.  However with today's manpower issues many times they do other things except entry into the fire structure for firefighting.  They've been in existence for over 150 years.

Here's a link to their website: http://rochesterprotectives.com/

 

[svd385]

Thanks folks ... it's ashame that something like that doesn't exist today with the cost of home electronics and other furnishings.


Steve