Fr. Kenavan's E228 death (Reply 108) was a long open stretch beside Green-Wood Cemetery. HQ took no specific action on responses afterward, however Brooklyn Chief Dispatcher Ramsey did issue orders that any further responses to that area (Box 1488) would require a minimum of 1x1. Interestingly E282 (L148) would have been first due at the location of the ADV, but E228 [normally second due] got it as a verbal and was already on the way
GLORY DAYS
- Thread starter JohnnyGage
- Start date
Box 3310, on the corner of Webster Ave and E 184th Street, was a chronic false alarm response. As you made your way to the Engine, you would hear a shout from someone in the Truck... ?Send out the scouts?. It was one long block from the firehouse at 187 St and Webster Ave. to Box 3310 and the Engine would make the trip, check the area, rewind and reset the Box and transmit the 10-92. If you sat on the Chauffeur's side, you would get off the rig, get the keys from the chauffeur and R&R the Box. As you did this, you might see the truck coming down Webster Ave., or it would be on the firehouse apron or you wouldn't see it at all. As the weather got warmer and the running picked up, it was a good bet that the first run of the 6x9 tour would be there. When the 10-92's at 3310 were in full swing , one very intense ECC would hop off the rig, grab the can of grease, and smear it all over the handle. (One time we got the Box for rubbish, as we were putting it out a guy came up to me and put his hand out and said ? There's stuff all over the alarm box?... What could I say) Another time this same chauffeur got off the rig, gloves on, picked up a pile of dog crap and wiped it all over the face of the Box. The one block bound by 184 St and 183 St from Webster Ave to Park Ave had one vacant tenement on the corner of 184 and Park Ave, nothing else. It was 5 stories, with a store front on the Park Ave side and was wide open. Middle of the summer, it is sweltering, it's the start of the night tour and on queue our first run, Box 3310. I am sitting in the spot so when we get there I get off the Engine, grab the keys and R&R the Box.(the Truck made it to the Box also) As we reach the corner of Park Ave and 184 St, an unbelievable stench filled the cab of the Engine. A resounding ?Holy Sh*t, what is that? was heard through the rig. A huge pile of boxes and crates covered part of the street, the sidewalk and spilled into the vacant storefront. What was in them... rotting fruits and vegetables...putrid. It was not a few, had to be a tractor trailer load, at least. A half hour later, we are heading back there, this time as I R&R the Box, I see a guy waving to us up on Park Ave. His problem... the terrible smell and what are we going to do about it. Our third trip there, more people in the street and at the windows of the MD on the corner, all screaming about the unbearable smell. On the rig one member commented, ?I wonder how many times we will be back here? ; another said ? Let's start a pool?. My gut told me this was going to end. The sun had set and Box 3310 was in again. The Engine made the left on 184 St from Webster Ave but didn't stop at the Box...ahead on Park Ave orange filled the street. The whole pile, every box and crate, was on fire and the flames were as high as the 2nd floor. We stretched and knocked it down, probably spent a good 45 minutes wetting it down and trudging through the slop. The fire, all the water we used, and the cooler night gave the people the wanted relief from the smell and kept us from Box 3310 for the remainder of the night tour. My next night tour working, Box 3310 was our first run, amazingly the huge mess had been cleaned up, just a 10-92. Good times.....
You guys, "Turk132", "*******", "jbendick", "68jk09", "8060Rock", "jkal", "JohnnyGage" along with the many others who took part in those Glory Days, "MUST" have seen me in the streets then. Sometimes I was down there by myself, park the car, and go charging up the street with scanner and camera in hand.
The neighborhood citizens must have thought I was "nuts" for being there. Those streets were nasty and sometimes a dangerous place to be. Some of the people thought I was from the NEWS and would yell to me, "Hey newsman, take my picture". Maybe that's what kept me alive. Sometimes, I was alone, but for some reason, nobody bothered me or even touched my car. Maybe the fact that some felt I didn't have all my marbles in the right place, that gave me the right to be there without becoming a victim.
As I mentioned many times on this web site, watching you guys work in places like the South Bronx, the West Bronx, Harlem, Washington Heights, Bushwick, Bed Sty, Brownsville, Williamsburg, not only taught me about the job but about life in general. Maybe it was also how to survive in a War Zone, right here in America. Only a few miles from the very rich and famous of Manhattan.
I appreciate all of these stories. Even as a Buff, they really were the Glory Days. From what I saw, the moral was the "highest" I ever saw in any department. Whenever I was invited into the firehouse, the guys treated me great.
To many of the guys here, I'm sure we met a long time ago. We just don't know it.
I remember seeing guys ride the back step. I remember the smells. I remember those Glory Days that you guys talk about. Yes, they were the Glory Days. But they were the "GREAT Days" too.
I just happened to go to the "School - of Glory Days". Best school around about life and fighting fires.
The neighborhood citizens must have thought I was "nuts" for being there. Those streets were nasty and sometimes a dangerous place to be. Some of the people thought I was from the NEWS and would yell to me, "Hey newsman, take my picture". Maybe that's what kept me alive. Sometimes, I was alone, but for some reason, nobody bothered me or even touched my car. Maybe the fact that some felt I didn't have all my marbles in the right place, that gave me the right to be there without becoming a victim.
As I mentioned many times on this web site, watching you guys work in places like the South Bronx, the West Bronx, Harlem, Washington Heights, Bushwick, Bed Sty, Brownsville, Williamsburg, not only taught me about the job but about life in general. Maybe it was also how to survive in a War Zone, right here in America. Only a few miles from the very rich and famous of Manhattan.
I appreciate all of these stories. Even as a Buff, they really were the Glory Days. From what I saw, the moral was the "highest" I ever saw in any department. Whenever I was invited into the firehouse, the guys treated me great.
To many of the guys here, I'm sure we met a long time ago. We just don't know it.
I remember seeing guys ride the back step. I remember the smells. I remember those Glory Days that you guys talk about. Yes, they were the Glory Days. But they were the "GREAT Days" too.
I just happened to go to the "School - of Glory Days". Best school around about life and fighting fires.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
Handi Talkie Radio Transmission...you can't make this up...
Scene; L 112 and L 135 sitting on wires down, beautiful spring Sunday morning, just before change of tours....L 135 is first due.
Someone from L 135 to Battalion; "Hey, Chief, I'm a electrician on the side, I can tape these wires up and we can all be out'er here..."
Battalion Chief to whoever; "Wha? who is this?...negative keep your fat a$$ away, we're awaiting Con-Ed."
Scene; L 112 and L 135 sitting on wires down, beautiful spring Sunday morning, just before change of tours....L 135 is first due.
Someone from L 135 to Battalion; "Hey, Chief, I'm a electrician on the side, I can tape these wires up and we can all be out'er here..."
Battalion Chief to whoever; "Wha? who is this?...negative keep your fat a$$ away, we're awaiting Con-Ed."
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
PROFILE; Gary Tommzak (L 112)
Firefighter Gary Tommzak is a tough, lean firefighting machine. Give him the short handle mall and he could fight his way into the core of the earth, so he said. The small handle mall was Gary?s favorite tool, forget the back of an ax or a sledge hammer Gary could do more with less by rapid fire strikes of the tool.
Gary is a hard working sandhog when off duty of Polish descent and his hands are hard and calloused, but he is a kind hearted and generous man. Gary had an unrestrained nasal laugh and when he partied, which was not often, he partied hard, too.
There was a time when the FDNY gave up the work duty ?group chart? and we were working on another chart that had a ?mini vacation? implemented in addition to your regular scheduled vacation. This morning, Gary came into the firehouse from completing an overnight shift working underground on the water tunnel construction, you could see he was exhausted and beat tired.
What he did not realize was he is to start the assigned ?mini vacation? giving him five days or so off. Gary got a chuckle and instead of leaving the firehouse he poured himself a cup of coffee in a two stubbed broken handle mug, sat upright in the corner of the dining room on a blue plastic chair with one leg crossed over the other, and without a sip of coffee fell asleep. He remained in that position despite all the chaos and noise of a firehouse for almost twenty four hours.
We knew he was exhausted and careful not to disturb him, checking on him often. He did not budge. His wife called a few times to check on his well being and we told her he was ?safe and sound?, she was fine with that and did not want to disturb him.The following morning, Gary woke from slumber like Rip Van Winkle, poured a fresh cup of coffee and went home.
Gary was also proud of his ?green thumb? and more importantly his ?square foot garden? that he had in the back of his Greenpoint home. Gary loved to talk about gardening and was always boasting about his large ripe tomatoes.
He brought in a sack of tomatoes one night tour. They were big, ripe and beautiful, the size of a softball, crimson red without a blemish like he said. I said ?these should be on the cover of some gardening magazine, you sure are the Farmer in the Dell?. We had the meal this month and so we decided to incorporate Gary's tomatoes into a nice tomato salad with onions, slightly tossed with balsamic vinegar, the works.
But they were too juicy looking to pass up right now for a little nosh and so we quartered two good looking ?maters and popped those red ripe slices into our mouths. Just then we all looked at each other in reaction, our faces twisted and contorted as if we bit into a duracell battery spitting the slices into the trash can. ?Gary, WTF, they are inedible?. We found out later that Gary fed his tomatoes twice daily with extra strength doses of ?miracle grow? increasing the acidity level off the scale.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed ! KMG-365
Firefighter Gary Tommzak is a tough, lean firefighting machine. Give him the short handle mall and he could fight his way into the core of the earth, so he said. The small handle mall was Gary?s favorite tool, forget the back of an ax or a sledge hammer Gary could do more with less by rapid fire strikes of the tool.
Gary is a hard working sandhog when off duty of Polish descent and his hands are hard and calloused, but he is a kind hearted and generous man. Gary had an unrestrained nasal laugh and when he partied, which was not often, he partied hard, too.
There was a time when the FDNY gave up the work duty ?group chart? and we were working on another chart that had a ?mini vacation? implemented in addition to your regular scheduled vacation. This morning, Gary came into the firehouse from completing an overnight shift working underground on the water tunnel construction, you could see he was exhausted and beat tired.
What he did not realize was he is to start the assigned ?mini vacation? giving him five days or so off. Gary got a chuckle and instead of leaving the firehouse he poured himself a cup of coffee in a two stubbed broken handle mug, sat upright in the corner of the dining room on a blue plastic chair with one leg crossed over the other, and without a sip of coffee fell asleep. He remained in that position despite all the chaos and noise of a firehouse for almost twenty four hours.
We knew he was exhausted and careful not to disturb him, checking on him often. He did not budge. His wife called a few times to check on his well being and we told her he was ?safe and sound?, she was fine with that and did not want to disturb him.The following morning, Gary woke from slumber like Rip Van Winkle, poured a fresh cup of coffee and went home.
Gary was also proud of his ?green thumb? and more importantly his ?square foot garden? that he had in the back of his Greenpoint home. Gary loved to talk about gardening and was always boasting about his large ripe tomatoes.
He brought in a sack of tomatoes one night tour. They were big, ripe and beautiful, the size of a softball, crimson red without a blemish like he said. I said ?these should be on the cover of some gardening magazine, you sure are the Farmer in the Dell?. We had the meal this month and so we decided to incorporate Gary's tomatoes into a nice tomato salad with onions, slightly tossed with balsamic vinegar, the works.
But they were too juicy looking to pass up right now for a little nosh and so we quartered two good looking ?maters and popped those red ripe slices into our mouths. Just then we all looked at each other in reaction, our faces twisted and contorted as if we bit into a duracell battery spitting the slices into the trash can. ?Gary, WTF, they are inedible?. We found out later that Gary fed his tomatoes twice daily with extra strength doses of ?miracle grow? increasing the acidity level off the scale.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed ! KMG-365
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
turk132 said:Drilling at 184 and Park......
Thanks Turk132, great photo!...Cutting sequence for a "Coffin Cut"*: first the top of a "7" (about 4'), then your second cut is the "knockout" (a small angle cut across the top of the 7 and across the next downward cut of the back of the 7, about 8' long) followed by making the 7 into a "9", then making the 9 into an "8"... pull accordingly!
* Coffin cut; as explained by Captain Farrell L 31 who helped create the Power Saw training bullitin. The cut was designed as a "coffin cut", 4x8', powers to be wanted him to change the name from coffin cut..but he couldn't...his LCC at the time the famous War Years Vet Jerry Albert, who smoked 4 packs of cigs a day would be coughing while he was making the cut, "Coughin' Cut"..the name stayed!
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- May 6, 2010
- Messages
- 16,241
Johny G your reply 125 above regarding cutting wires reminded me of a long ago story involving a BROTHER who is no longer with us .....RET FF PHILLIP MAHANEY.... http://obits.silive.com/obituaries/siadvance/obituary.aspx?n=philip-mahaney&pid=186273410 REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (US ARMY) & FDNY......PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES..... As a Cov Lt in R*5 late '80s i had the pleasure of having Phil as the Rescue Chauf on several occasions....as said in his Obit he was a very capable man....i remember one night we were at a job in a Queen Anne.....the Fire was in several areas all starting in the walls due to an electrical issue....we tried shutting power in the basement in the normal manner but the lines remained charged & the Fire continued to extend & it seemed like we were going to lose the whole bldg & there was no ETA for the Utility Company.....i thought about cutting the service where it entered the box in the basement since it was raining outside.....i went outside to tell the Chief & get electrical cutters as i was telling the Chief (with my back to the bldg) the Chief suddenly went WTF ? ...i turned to see what he was looking at & Phil (who unbeknown to me was a Licensed Electrician) was standing on the porch roof w/a small pair of cutters separating & cutting the service eliminating the problem......always a pleasure to work with....his Twin Brother Pat was also OTJ.
The finished product......JohnnyGage said:turk132 said:Drilling at 184 and Park......
Thanks Turk132, great photo!...Cutting sequence for a "Coffin Cut"*: first the top of a "7" (about 3'), then your second cut is the "knockout" (a small angle cut across the top of the 7 and across the next downward cut of the back of the 7, about 6' long) followed by making the 7 into a "9", then making the 9 into an "8"... pull accordingly!
* Coffin cut; as explained by Captain Farrell L 31 who helped create the Power Saw training bullitin. The cut was designed as a "coffin cut", 3x6', powers to be wanted him to change the name from coffin cut..but he couldn't...his LCC at the time the famous War Years Vet Jerry Albert would be coughing while he was making the cut....the name stayed!
- Joined
- May 6, 2010
- Messages
- 16,241
SOME INTERESTING PHOTOS FROM YESTERYEAR INCLUDING SOME VERY RARE RIG SHOTS.... some have been previously posted as individual photos on some sites & some were not.... i will flag a few ...0.20 min 2nd from left nycfire.net Site Admin RET CPT John Bendick as a
FF in ENG*75..... 0.35 LAD*120 & SQ*4 behind them in the forefront of the shot on a Brownsville St. early 1970's ......1:20 our old 1981 Mack that we were forced to re use due to demands by the community to make everything the same as when ENG*41 was closed before the Unit was closed .... the shot is shown IFO of Qtrs along w/every box that we could bolt on to carry all our equipment instead of an available Compartmented 1987 Mack .... 1:22 SQ*41 in our opening days July 1990 left to right FF Tony LaMagna ..FF Bill Flynn..FF Ken Kassman... ME ...FF John Halpin ..FF Kevin Donovan..... 1:29 ENG*310 w/one of the two Squirts..the other was originally assigned to ENG*71 (then to ENG*43 ?).....2:11 one of the only two Mack RMs the other was LAD*132 (i had worked my first day tour as a Covering LT in 290 then my first night tour as a Covering LT in 132 w/FF Lenny Johnson driving the Mack RM)......2:32 R*2 with the last "walk thru" Mack Rescue Rig a 1967 pulling out of Qtrs W/210 at 160 Carlton Ave bet Myrtle & Willoughby Aves when the block was still mostly occupied.... 2.55 Mack High Ladder w/ the original 144 ft Magirus Aerial (later retrofitted w/100 ft Grove Aerials & assigned to TCU 712 & 731..... 3:04 the only FDNY American La France RM it was a 1969 & originally a Demo offered for trial to the FDNY & Maroon in color & assigned to TCU*732 when they responded from ENG*277 on Knickerbocker Ave then later after an FDNY purchase was repainted traditional FDNY Red by our Shops & later after the TCUs were disbanded it was assigned to LAD*176 when they were organized in The BKLYN Tin House w/ENG*232 on Rockaway Ave & Bergen St...(i had a mid tour detail to drive it one night due to the Chauf. being injured ...very powerful w/ 4 on the floor & a very loud Jake Brake plus one of the first real Federal Q Sirens in the FDNY ).....PS the 1969 ALF was the first FDNY RM.... the next was a Seagrave & went to LAD*27-2 & also had only two covered jump seats...the Job never bought anymore ALF RMs but after the original Seagrave for 27-2 which was later assigned to LAD*10 all the following Seagrave RMs starting in 1970 had fully enclosed riding positions but when the adaptive response started there was no inside riding position for the extra FF so our Shops cut out a Compartment midway on the Officers side & made a "phone booth" w/a rear facing seat on the original 1970 RMs & awhile after that Seagrave then incorporated the design into all their future Rigs for many years until the Staffing was again cut back negating the need for an extra enclosed riding position... .3:24 a shot of LAD*102 with the old Phone Booth riding position which some LADs used for the Can Man & some for the Roof Man ..... 0:32 a shot of SQ*1's ALF with the first experimental "roof painted white" to make a Rig cooler inside w/out A/C.. = BS..... 3:36 a shot of the BX Tin House Boston Road & 169 St formerly War Years ENG*85 RIP & LAD*59.. now an EMS Station as is the BKLYN Tin House..... 3:53 a shot of the disbanded ENG*278 RIP....4:12 ENG*70 equipped w/a retrofitted short Aerial Ladder ( a former Squirt Rig ?)..this Rig was used on City Island as a hair brained idea during the period LAD*53 had been disbanded..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=BCtRC7EfaRI
FF in ENG*75..... 0.35 LAD*120 & SQ*4 behind them in the forefront of the shot on a Brownsville St. early 1970's ......1:20 our old 1981 Mack that we were forced to re use due to demands by the community to make everything the same as when ENG*41 was closed before the Unit was closed .... the shot is shown IFO of Qtrs along w/every box that we could bolt on to carry all our equipment instead of an available Compartmented 1987 Mack .... 1:22 SQ*41 in our opening days July 1990 left to right FF Tony LaMagna ..FF Bill Flynn..FF Ken Kassman... ME ...FF John Halpin ..FF Kevin Donovan..... 1:29 ENG*310 w/one of the two Squirts..the other was originally assigned to ENG*71 (then to ENG*43 ?).....2:11 one of the only two Mack RMs the other was LAD*132 (i had worked my first day tour as a Covering LT in 290 then my first night tour as a Covering LT in 132 w/FF Lenny Johnson driving the Mack RM)......2:32 R*2 with the last "walk thru" Mack Rescue Rig a 1967 pulling out of Qtrs W/210 at 160 Carlton Ave bet Myrtle & Willoughby Aves when the block was still mostly occupied.... 2.55 Mack High Ladder w/ the original 144 ft Magirus Aerial (later retrofitted w/100 ft Grove Aerials & assigned to TCU 712 & 731..... 3:04 the only FDNY American La France RM it was a 1969 & originally a Demo offered for trial to the FDNY & Maroon in color & assigned to TCU*732 when they responded from ENG*277 on Knickerbocker Ave then later after an FDNY purchase was repainted traditional FDNY Red by our Shops & later after the TCUs were disbanded it was assigned to LAD*176 when they were organized in The BKLYN Tin House w/ENG*232 on Rockaway Ave & Bergen St...(i had a mid tour detail to drive it one night due to the Chauf. being injured ...very powerful w/ 4 on the floor & a very loud Jake Brake plus one of the first real Federal Q Sirens in the FDNY ).....PS the 1969 ALF was the first FDNY RM.... the next was a Seagrave & went to LAD*27-2 & also had only two covered jump seats...the Job never bought anymore ALF RMs but after the original Seagrave for 27-2 which was later assigned to LAD*10 all the following Seagrave RMs starting in 1970 had fully enclosed riding positions but when the adaptive response started there was no inside riding position for the extra FF so our Shops cut out a Compartment midway on the Officers side & made a "phone booth" w/a rear facing seat on the original 1970 RMs & awhile after that Seagrave then incorporated the design into all their future Rigs for many years until the Staffing was again cut back negating the need for an extra enclosed riding position... .3:24 a shot of LAD*102 with the old Phone Booth riding position which some LADs used for the Can Man & some for the Roof Man ..... 0:32 a shot of SQ*1's ALF with the first experimental "roof painted white" to make a Rig cooler inside w/out A/C.. = BS..... 3:36 a shot of the BX Tin House Boston Road & 169 St formerly War Years ENG*85 RIP & LAD*59.. now an EMS Station as is the BKLYN Tin House..... 3:53 a shot of the disbanded ENG*278 RIP....4:12 ENG*70 equipped w/a retrofitted short Aerial Ladder ( a former Squirt Rig ?)..this Rig was used on City Island as a hair brained idea during the period LAD*53 had been disbanded..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=BCtRC7EfaRI
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
?PARTNER SAW?
The two Partner K-12 saws were inspected at the beginning of every tour, usually by the junior man who would take the saw in front of quarters, ?tension? the belt and fire it up, let it run for a minute or two then put it away. Gunning the saw was frowned upon, an unnecessary and unsafe action. Whenever I had the roof, and when I became the full time LCC I?d join the junior member preparing to inspect the saw, maybe even pepper him with a question or two about the saw. I?d also see how quickly he could change a blade and quiz him on saw cuts.
According to Retired Captain Bob Farrell of L 31 ?Fires in the Bronx on Facebook Collection? the K-12, manufactured in Sweden was originally designed for street work. The ?K? represented ?Kutter? and the 12 was the blade size dimension, hence K-12. Kutter later became Husqvarna.
Other saws were tested by L 31, but the K-12 saw beat out the other saws. The concept was to use them for ventilation purposes on ?H? styled apartment houses, where they were plentiful. The K-12 was the only saw that would operate in a smoke environment. Originally only Rescue Companies had saws, then shortly 200 were ordered for truck companies.
The saw had three types of blades; the carbide tip was used for cutting wood and mainly used for roof cutting operations. The blade was inspected daily to make sure all the tips were attached, if six tips were missing the blade was taken out of service.
The second was an aluminum oxide blade for cutting metal. There was a different operation between the wood saw and metal saw, the wood saw you would rev to full throttle before cut. Whereas the aluminum oxide blade you started the cut slow, then revved up to full throttle after you got a bite. These blades worked great on roll down gates, padlocks and autos.
And the third was seldom used, called Silicon Oxide, used for masonry and concrete cuts. We painted this blade yellow to differentiate from the aluminum oxide blade.
Basically the Roofman made two types of cuts. First was the ?Coffin Cut?. These cuts were made on flat roofs and during the growth stage of fire to alleviate heat and smoke buildup on the top floor inside the fire building. The cut dimension was four feet by eight feet (originally Captain Farrell suggested 3?x8?). The cuts were made in a 7-9-8 pattern as depicted above in turk132?s photos.
Before cutting, the Roofman took a quick peek where the fire apartment was and guesstimated that his cut would cover two rooms below after the roof material was pulled. Once the coffin cut was completed and the knockout pulled, the rest of the cut would be pulled in one 4x4? piece. Many times this ventilation creates a heavy fire condition emanating from the hole. If just smoke vented, we would use the cut roof planks to push down the ceiling below since it was easier and more productive than using the hook.
The other cut, much seldom used, but very helpful when warranted was the ?Trench Cut?. The trench cut was a defensive maneuver to prevent the fire in the cockloft from extending from one wing of a building to another, thus localizing the fire in one wing of a ?H? type non-fireproof building.
A cut three feet wide traversing the roof, usually performed at the roofs most narrow point. After completing the trench cut, however not pulled, observation holes were made ahead of the cut toward the fire. When fire arrived at the observation holes, the trench was then pulled along with the ceiling and windows opened on the top floor. This tactic would prevent the fire from jumping through the trench to the unexposed side. A variation from the ventilation hole, a handline with a bent tip could be deployed into the opening as a stop gap measure of the advancing fire.
I recall an exhausting cutting operation with L 112. We were operating at a second alarm vacant building near the ?Nut House?, L 111 quarters. It was one of the coldest, blustery days I remember working, the cold just went right through you, there was nowhere to get warm. I had done some extensive overhauling roof cuts along with a couple members of L 111. The fire was out, so the Chief told the Boss of L 112 to ?take up, good job?. The Boss called me on the handie- talkie stating that we were taking up, ?10-4, be right there?, I replied. A member of L 111 overhears the radio transmission and offers me a ride down; ?Hey Johnny, come in the bucket, we?ll take you down?. Cool I thought, I would not have to carry the saw and my tools six flights down an icy staircase. ?Thanks, Bro, much appreciated? and gleefully climbed into the basket with my tools.
The basket pulled from the building, started to rotate clear of the building when the Chief ordered; ?L 111, finish washing down the building from the top down, make sure you catch all the hot spots.? With that came the water for the TL stang. ?Fudge? I said to me-self (actually not fudge). Again, I was stuck in the freezing cold bucket for another half hour delaying our company?s return to a warm comfy firehouse. When I got back to 112?s rig, there were some unhappy campers...
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!" KMG-365
Photos by Mike Dick (hope you don't mind me using these outstanding clips, Mike...Thank you)
The two Partner K-12 saws were inspected at the beginning of every tour, usually by the junior man who would take the saw in front of quarters, ?tension? the belt and fire it up, let it run for a minute or two then put it away. Gunning the saw was frowned upon, an unnecessary and unsafe action. Whenever I had the roof, and when I became the full time LCC I?d join the junior member preparing to inspect the saw, maybe even pepper him with a question or two about the saw. I?d also see how quickly he could change a blade and quiz him on saw cuts.
According to Retired Captain Bob Farrell of L 31 ?Fires in the Bronx on Facebook Collection? the K-12, manufactured in Sweden was originally designed for street work. The ?K? represented ?Kutter? and the 12 was the blade size dimension, hence K-12. Kutter later became Husqvarna.
Other saws were tested by L 31, but the K-12 saw beat out the other saws. The concept was to use them for ventilation purposes on ?H? styled apartment houses, where they were plentiful. The K-12 was the only saw that would operate in a smoke environment. Originally only Rescue Companies had saws, then shortly 200 were ordered for truck companies.
The saw had three types of blades; the carbide tip was used for cutting wood and mainly used for roof cutting operations. The blade was inspected daily to make sure all the tips were attached, if six tips were missing the blade was taken out of service.
The second was an aluminum oxide blade for cutting metal. There was a different operation between the wood saw and metal saw, the wood saw you would rev to full throttle before cut. Whereas the aluminum oxide blade you started the cut slow, then revved up to full throttle after you got a bite. These blades worked great on roll down gates, padlocks and autos.
And the third was seldom used, called Silicon Oxide, used for masonry and concrete cuts. We painted this blade yellow to differentiate from the aluminum oxide blade.
Basically the Roofman made two types of cuts. First was the ?Coffin Cut?. These cuts were made on flat roofs and during the growth stage of fire to alleviate heat and smoke buildup on the top floor inside the fire building. The cut dimension was four feet by eight feet (originally Captain Farrell suggested 3?x8?). The cuts were made in a 7-9-8 pattern as depicted above in turk132?s photos.
Before cutting, the Roofman took a quick peek where the fire apartment was and guesstimated that his cut would cover two rooms below after the roof material was pulled. Once the coffin cut was completed and the knockout pulled, the rest of the cut would be pulled in one 4x4? piece. Many times this ventilation creates a heavy fire condition emanating from the hole. If just smoke vented, we would use the cut roof planks to push down the ceiling below since it was easier and more productive than using the hook.
The other cut, much seldom used, but very helpful when warranted was the ?Trench Cut?. The trench cut was a defensive maneuver to prevent the fire in the cockloft from extending from one wing of a building to another, thus localizing the fire in one wing of a ?H? type non-fireproof building.
A cut three feet wide traversing the roof, usually performed at the roofs most narrow point. After completing the trench cut, however not pulled, observation holes were made ahead of the cut toward the fire. When fire arrived at the observation holes, the trench was then pulled along with the ceiling and windows opened on the top floor. This tactic would prevent the fire from jumping through the trench to the unexposed side. A variation from the ventilation hole, a handline with a bent tip could be deployed into the opening as a stop gap measure of the advancing fire.
I recall an exhausting cutting operation with L 112. We were operating at a second alarm vacant building near the ?Nut House?, L 111 quarters. It was one of the coldest, blustery days I remember working, the cold just went right through you, there was nowhere to get warm. I had done some extensive overhauling roof cuts along with a couple members of L 111. The fire was out, so the Chief told the Boss of L 112 to ?take up, good job?. The Boss called me on the handie- talkie stating that we were taking up, ?10-4, be right there?, I replied. A member of L 111 overhears the radio transmission and offers me a ride down; ?Hey Johnny, come in the bucket, we?ll take you down?. Cool I thought, I would not have to carry the saw and my tools six flights down an icy staircase. ?Thanks, Bro, much appreciated? and gleefully climbed into the basket with my tools.
The basket pulled from the building, started to rotate clear of the building when the Chief ordered; ?L 111, finish washing down the building from the top down, make sure you catch all the hot spots.? With that came the water for the TL stang. ?Fudge? I said to me-self (actually not fudge). Again, I was stuck in the freezing cold bucket for another half hour delaying our company?s return to a warm comfy firehouse. When I got back to 112?s rig, there were some unhappy campers...
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!" KMG-365
Photos by Mike Dick (hope you don't mind me using these outstanding clips, Mike...Thank you)
Just reading today's Dept. Orders - coverage for Officer medical leave - brings to mind the first and maybe only time I can recall working out of title - early in the night tour Lt. goes on ML after a job - no surplus Lts. and I end up as act. Lt. - much later that tour we catch a 1st due job, in spite of my "leadership", as always the guys do a good job - that morning the kitchen discussion is of course about the job with the act. Lt. in E80 - I'm strutting around telling all that will listen about what can be done at a job when there is great leadership - for those who have ever been in a firehouse kitchen, as expected, I was shouted down in mere seconds - mind you, the 5th Div. was still in quarters with us at the time and the DC who worked that night tour came into the kitchen - he joined in the cascade of "accolades" being thrown my way - if I remember, he said that he was thinking of transmitting a 2nd alarm due to the act. Lt. in the 1st due engine - all said in humor, "I think"! We didn't know him that well - Chief Harry W. had recently been "sent" from the Bronx 6th Div. to the 5th Div. in Harlem - for those who remember - shortly after his run-in with E42/L56, when both companies were on Monroe Ave. - I don't want to get into that story - but he wasn't a bad guy when he came to Harlem (DC Harry W. RIP).
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
?ROOFMAN; P 1?
?Johnny, you got the roof today?. That simple statement comes with a lot of responsibility not to be taken for granted. It comes with decisive decisions that you have to make quickly on your own. It comes with a personal responsibility and resolve that nothing will deter your accomplishment of gaining roof access and commence ventilation for the sake of the ground troops and trapped civilians unable to escape. The job requires experience, stamina, focus, determination and smarts. It also conveys trust, faith and respect from your company officer knowing the mission assigned to the Roofman will be fulfilled.
Other than Ladder Company Chauffeur (LCC) there are four positions in the truck company. The inside team consists of a ?Can Man? and ?Irons Man?, this team, along with the truck boss is responsible for locating the fire, force entry, remove any incapacitated victims and contain the fire until a hoseline gets in place. Each member carries prescribed tools for their positions. The inside team rides on the officer side of the truck.
The outside team consists of the ?Outside Vent Man? or OVM (or OV) and the ?Roofman?. Both generally operate independently with assigned portable radios, unless the fire is on the top floor. Theoretically the OVM and Roofman will team up with the second due ladder truck members who are assigned the same positions. The OVM is usually the tillerman on tractor trailer ladder trucks.
Basically the OVM operates from a fire escape opposite the fire location, mostly in the rear where he forces the window of any obstructions like window gates and attempts to enter the apartment on fire to vent and search removing any victim that may be trapped or unconscious between the fire and outside refuge. The OVM is a very demanding and challenging position, just trying to get to the rear of a building could be extremely difficult. The OVM may face unforeseen obstacles; hop over fences, climb over garbage or deal with dogs just to get to the rear fire escape drop ladder and hopefully get the rusted ladder to drop down. From there he will climb the upright ladder, have to overcome obstructions on the fire escape and force open locked window gates.
The Roofmans first priority is to get to the roof as quickly as possible, especially on flat roof buildings where smoke, heat and lethal gases quickly begin to build up on the top floor suffocating anyone above the fire. Each truck position requires the firefighter to carry a specific tool and to be in a distinct location of the structure. Generally; the first due ladder company operates on the fire floor and the second due ladder company operates on the floors above. Certain types of buildings will dictate varying truck positions that have to be made on the initial size up. Buildings such as taxpayers, Queen Annes, row frames, private dwellings, high rise fireproof, and emergencies involving the subway require different truck tasks and responsibilities from the typical ubiquitous Bronx apartment house tasks.
Most companies the outside team rode behind the LCC with the ?Roofman? on the door. Riding this way the Roofman could do a quick size-up of the building upon entering the street.
In proby school, rudimentary truck work was touched on. To educate and acquaint students in the full essence of truck work takes years of experience to understand all the unique possibilities and circumstances that affect truck tasks. One tenet implied at proby school and drilled into us about the Roofman position was that ?nothing shall deter the Roofman from attaining his position?, meaning that no matter what is happening at the scene, the Roofman should not get involved or be distracted with another task, no matter the reason. His mission of getting to the roof, and performing his assigned duties was paramount.
We are fortunate on this network, I am aware of two very highly respected and distinguished truck bosses that have had remarkable Truck Company careers. I had the privilege of working with both. Captain ?Jkal?,, the longest tenure Captain of the very prestigious L 120 for many years; Watkins Street... ?Where the tradition continues?. The other was my boss, Lieutenant ?TK? of L 112. Tom K, was very well respected by the troops in a tough ?No Frills? truck company. Both officers were recipients of Department wide recognition on Medal Day. I am sure there are other well respected truck officers on this site, and I would invite them to share their thoughts and background concerning truck work. Jkal will tell you that truck work is a very special skill that takes time and years of experience before fully understanding and appreciating the nuances involved becoming a successful truckie. Jkal is absolutely correct.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
?Johnny, you got the roof today?. That simple statement comes with a lot of responsibility not to be taken for granted. It comes with decisive decisions that you have to make quickly on your own. It comes with a personal responsibility and resolve that nothing will deter your accomplishment of gaining roof access and commence ventilation for the sake of the ground troops and trapped civilians unable to escape. The job requires experience, stamina, focus, determination and smarts. It also conveys trust, faith and respect from your company officer knowing the mission assigned to the Roofman will be fulfilled.
Other than Ladder Company Chauffeur (LCC) there are four positions in the truck company. The inside team consists of a ?Can Man? and ?Irons Man?, this team, along with the truck boss is responsible for locating the fire, force entry, remove any incapacitated victims and contain the fire until a hoseline gets in place. Each member carries prescribed tools for their positions. The inside team rides on the officer side of the truck.
The outside team consists of the ?Outside Vent Man? or OVM (or OV) and the ?Roofman?. Both generally operate independently with assigned portable radios, unless the fire is on the top floor. Theoretically the OVM and Roofman will team up with the second due ladder truck members who are assigned the same positions. The OVM is usually the tillerman on tractor trailer ladder trucks.
Basically the OVM operates from a fire escape opposite the fire location, mostly in the rear where he forces the window of any obstructions like window gates and attempts to enter the apartment on fire to vent and search removing any victim that may be trapped or unconscious between the fire and outside refuge. The OVM is a very demanding and challenging position, just trying to get to the rear of a building could be extremely difficult. The OVM may face unforeseen obstacles; hop over fences, climb over garbage or deal with dogs just to get to the rear fire escape drop ladder and hopefully get the rusted ladder to drop down. From there he will climb the upright ladder, have to overcome obstructions on the fire escape and force open locked window gates.
The Roofmans first priority is to get to the roof as quickly as possible, especially on flat roof buildings where smoke, heat and lethal gases quickly begin to build up on the top floor suffocating anyone above the fire. Each truck position requires the firefighter to carry a specific tool and to be in a distinct location of the structure. Generally; the first due ladder company operates on the fire floor and the second due ladder company operates on the floors above. Certain types of buildings will dictate varying truck positions that have to be made on the initial size up. Buildings such as taxpayers, Queen Annes, row frames, private dwellings, high rise fireproof, and emergencies involving the subway require different truck tasks and responsibilities from the typical ubiquitous Bronx apartment house tasks.
Most companies the outside team rode behind the LCC with the ?Roofman? on the door. Riding this way the Roofman could do a quick size-up of the building upon entering the street.
In proby school, rudimentary truck work was touched on. To educate and acquaint students in the full essence of truck work takes years of experience to understand all the unique possibilities and circumstances that affect truck tasks. One tenet implied at proby school and drilled into us about the Roofman position was that ?nothing shall deter the Roofman from attaining his position?, meaning that no matter what is happening at the scene, the Roofman should not get involved or be distracted with another task, no matter the reason. His mission of getting to the roof, and performing his assigned duties was paramount.
We are fortunate on this network, I am aware of two very highly respected and distinguished truck bosses that have had remarkable Truck Company careers. I had the privilege of working with both. Captain ?Jkal?,, the longest tenure Captain of the very prestigious L 120 for many years; Watkins Street... ?Where the tradition continues?. The other was my boss, Lieutenant ?TK? of L 112. Tom K, was very well respected by the troops in a tough ?No Frills? truck company. Both officers were recipients of Department wide recognition on Medal Day. I am sure there are other well respected truck officers on this site, and I would invite them to share their thoughts and background concerning truck work. Jkal will tell you that truck work is a very special skill that takes time and years of experience before fully understanding and appreciating the nuances involved becoming a successful truckie. Jkal is absolutely correct.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
When it comes to Truck Co operations, I know of NO OTHER DEPT that has had it so organized and operated so well as a team. Organized Truck Co work has been a part of the FDNY for at least as long as I know of (from the late 60s).
In fact I know that the FDNY devotes separate Truck Co operations to various types of buildings, including "row frames", "private dwellings", Multiple family dwellings", etc. From how to position the Truck on arrival to every detail for each member.
I feel that the FDNY wrote the books long before any others gave themselves credit for doing it. No fancy terms or titles. Just plan simple facts of doing the job right from the start to finish.
In fact I know that the FDNY devotes separate Truck Co operations to various types of buildings, including "row frames", "private dwellings", Multiple family dwellings", etc. From how to position the Truck on arrival to every detail for each member.
I feel that the FDNY wrote the books long before any others gave themselves credit for doing it. No fancy terms or titles. Just plan simple facts of doing the job right from the start to finish.
- Joined
- May 6, 2010
- Messages
- 16,241
Some thoughts regarding JGs reply#134 on the previous page...being assigned "The Roof" has always been a prestigious & crucial position... (on a side note ...in my proby school Graduation Ceremeony there was the traditional simulated Fire excercise for the Families....i was selected to be the Roofman & on arrival at the smoked up training bldg i climbed the the '85 ALF Aerial to the roof then after simulating venting the same i leaned over the side & with a hook & pretended to "break" the top floor windows which were actually steel shutters )...when i was actually working as a proby in 108 i was schooled over & over on the importance of the Roofman doing his job & how to go about it ....initially as the Can Man i saw more Senior FFs "FLY" off the Rig & up an exposure to get the Roof...i always thought when my assignment might change i would be told ...OK next tour you will have the Roof or some scenario like that...well slightly before the start of a night tour about 5 months after i was OTJ a run came in & as was the custom then everybody in the FH before a tour jumped on the Rig nobody left early (could be 6 to 12 FFs) ....i had no assignment yet as it was really before the night tour Roll Call & i figured i would just do as always & follow the Officer... as we turned off Broadway onto Sumner Ave a large column of smoke was visible...just then CPT Bob B. RIP turned in his seat & said to me in the jump seat "kid you got the Roof" ...it was an OLT & i made my way up the adjoining bldg & took the bulkhead door & the skylight over the stairs & made my way down the rear Fire escape....the Fire went out pretty quickly w/out incident....after being on the Can several tours later i was officially assigned the Roof at the start of a tour & i was happy ...a few Runs into the tour we have a real good job & i get on the Roof & it is a lot worse than the first Roof job ... it was a Box where SQ*3 then Qtr'd nearby w/230 also initially responded & arrived before the 2nd LAD ...one of the Senior SQ*3 FFs Sy Taylor RIP was their Roofman & got up there shortly after me & gave me a hand & some tips how to accomplish the duties on that zero visabilty Hot roof....lesson's learned last forever.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
'ROOFMAN; P 2'
Of all the four truck positions, ?Roofman? was my favorite truck assignment, I liked the significance and priority attached to the position. The Roofman position requires building construction knowledge, experience, perseverance and accountability.
During my Glory Days in da Bronx most of our jobs were in the typical six story apartment buildings, at the time many were still vacant. With consistent fire duty in these buildings the repetition afforded you plenty of opportunity to hone your skill and work the bugs out, practice makes perfect as one might say.
A mantra drilled into our heads at proby school about the Roofman position was that ?nothing shall deter the roofman from attaining his position?. Getting to the roof had a few options; the first preferable option in the six story apartment houses was to take the second separate staircase opposite of where the fire was reported if there was one. The option would be nixed if there was a common hallway connecting the two staircases. The next choice was to take the staircase in the adjoining exposure apartment house, providing the building was attached and the same height so that you could climb over a low wall from one building to the other. The third selection would be the aerial ladder.
In the FDNY ?books? using the aerial was the preferred method mentioned, it gave the Chief officer a visible assurance that the Roofman was moving toward his objective. In Bushwick, our company policy preferred the ?Roofman? seek other options before utilizing the aerial, keeping the aerial free incase of any unsuspecting emergency or immediate rescue where the aerial would be needed. Using an exposure to get to the roof, I thought anyway, was also much quicker.
Bushwick buildings were typical three story row frame style houses. Reaching the roof in a row frame building my preference to enter and access the roof via scuttle ladder would be a residence at least two doors away from the fire location. When the rig turned into the street I would ?eyeball? the best suitable structure to gain entry from the proximity of the fire building. As soon as the rig stopped I took off for my objective, shoot up the three flights in the apartment hallway, pop out of the scuttle, traverse the roof and begin my assignment.
Not very often, but on occasion If the scuttle from the building I selected was compromised or removed I contacted the LCC via handi-talkie and told him to raise the stick to the roof and resort to the aerial that would already be in place for my second effort.
During those days before bunker gear, as the Roofman I usually wore dungarees and black laced work boots with my turnout coat and helmet. With my assigned metal halligan hook mounted just outside the rigs door, and the halligan tool at my feet in the cab I was off to the races before the rig came to a full stop.
A Roofman could encounter many hazards and he had to be very careful crossing buildings for open light shafts, dogs, uneven roof setbacks, yankee gutters, laundry lines and druggies. Upon reaching my destination at a confirmed fire, my first action if there was a known smoke condition was to pop one pane of the skylight, pause, and pop the rest of the skylight, this afforded the advancing engine company immediate relief. The brief hesitation popping the one pane of glass alerted the troops below that more glass is about to rain down on them, and a reminder not to look up.
One of the interesting characteristics I recall over the years was the tell-tale sign of another truck company Roofman, usually his right leg or boot was covered in black tar that was melting while cutting the roof spewing the hot liquid back onto his leg and solidifying after a while.
Another immediate task of the Roofman was to visually inspect the rear of the fire building for any residents who may be trapped at a window where there is no fire escape and out of reach of a portable ladder. If that situation arised, the Roofman would initiate the ?Lifesaving Rope Rescue? evolution. I made it a practice and rehearsed every position and knot of the evolution many times; stepped into the rope bowlines, tied into the harness and made the knot. I practiced this evolution in the dark until I was confident.
There is a first time for everything. I recall the first time I was assigned to the ?Roof?. I was detailed to L 38 for a night tour from E 88. I was surprised as I usually got the ?can position? like every other detail and was even more surprised that this assignment was during a night tour. The officer briefed me about the roof position and although I never had the roof, with anticipation of eventually transferring to a truck company I studied all the procedure manuals and asked a whole bunch of questions to the senior truck members. At multi-unit drills I walked myself through roof tasks visualizing my process. I guess I had all the right answers for the boss; ?OK, you got it,? he said, I was honored to be trusted by the lieutenant. I placed my gear near where the ?Roofman? rides, took the handie-talkie marked ?ROOF? off the charger and hung it next to my turnout coat. One of the senior members from L 38 has advice for me and tells me sarcastically, ?you make sure you get your a$$ up there, if you need a mask, we?ll bring one up to you?.
As luck would have it we did catch an all hands in a six story apartment building on a lower floor early into the night tour. Everything went well as I hoped, I used an adjoining apartment building, hustled up the staircase six stories, crossed over to the fire building, popped the skylight (one pane, pause), quick peek over the rear for victims, forced open the bulkhead door and started to search stairwell landings on my way down. First one under my belt, without a hitch...
...Well, there was one little hitch; entering the adjoining apartment lobby lined with residents I was trotting up the four lobby steps focused on my gallant gung-ho quest to get the roof determined not to disappoint when I stub my toe. My right toe does not clear the top step by a smidgeon and I find myself reeling forward, suspended for a few seconds mid-air flying like Superman. My helmet topples off as both metal halligan tools hit the marble floor with echoing
clangs of a dozen church bells. Residents are stunned by the action with bulging eyes and open mouths. They must be thinking; ?That mope is gonna save us?? For a few humbling seconds I felt like a bumbling schmoe, but I quickly gathered the tools off the floor, slapped my lid back on my coconut and resumed the mission, ?nothing shall deter the roofman?? (Maybe that?s what they meant?)
After the job the boss asked how I think I did on the assignment, ?fine, just fine, not a glitch, easy peasy?.
Thanks for reading...Hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
JohnnyGage, L 112 Roofman
Of all the four truck positions, ?Roofman? was my favorite truck assignment, I liked the significance and priority attached to the position. The Roofman position requires building construction knowledge, experience, perseverance and accountability.
During my Glory Days in da Bronx most of our jobs were in the typical six story apartment buildings, at the time many were still vacant. With consistent fire duty in these buildings the repetition afforded you plenty of opportunity to hone your skill and work the bugs out, practice makes perfect as one might say.
A mantra drilled into our heads at proby school about the Roofman position was that ?nothing shall deter the roofman from attaining his position?. Getting to the roof had a few options; the first preferable option in the six story apartment houses was to take the second separate staircase opposite of where the fire was reported if there was one. The option would be nixed if there was a common hallway connecting the two staircases. The next choice was to take the staircase in the adjoining exposure apartment house, providing the building was attached and the same height so that you could climb over a low wall from one building to the other. The third selection would be the aerial ladder.
In the FDNY ?books? using the aerial was the preferred method mentioned, it gave the Chief officer a visible assurance that the Roofman was moving toward his objective. In Bushwick, our company policy preferred the ?Roofman? seek other options before utilizing the aerial, keeping the aerial free incase of any unsuspecting emergency or immediate rescue where the aerial would be needed. Using an exposure to get to the roof, I thought anyway, was also much quicker.
Bushwick buildings were typical three story row frame style houses. Reaching the roof in a row frame building my preference to enter and access the roof via scuttle ladder would be a residence at least two doors away from the fire location. When the rig turned into the street I would ?eyeball? the best suitable structure to gain entry from the proximity of the fire building. As soon as the rig stopped I took off for my objective, shoot up the three flights in the apartment hallway, pop out of the scuttle, traverse the roof and begin my assignment.
Not very often, but on occasion If the scuttle from the building I selected was compromised or removed I contacted the LCC via handi-talkie and told him to raise the stick to the roof and resort to the aerial that would already be in place for my second effort.
During those days before bunker gear, as the Roofman I usually wore dungarees and black laced work boots with my turnout coat and helmet. With my assigned metal halligan hook mounted just outside the rigs door, and the halligan tool at my feet in the cab I was off to the races before the rig came to a full stop.
A Roofman could encounter many hazards and he had to be very careful crossing buildings for open light shafts, dogs, uneven roof setbacks, yankee gutters, laundry lines and druggies. Upon reaching my destination at a confirmed fire, my first action if there was a known smoke condition was to pop one pane of the skylight, pause, and pop the rest of the skylight, this afforded the advancing engine company immediate relief. The brief hesitation popping the one pane of glass alerted the troops below that more glass is about to rain down on them, and a reminder not to look up.
One of the interesting characteristics I recall over the years was the tell-tale sign of another truck company Roofman, usually his right leg or boot was covered in black tar that was melting while cutting the roof spewing the hot liquid back onto his leg and solidifying after a while.
Another immediate task of the Roofman was to visually inspect the rear of the fire building for any residents who may be trapped at a window where there is no fire escape and out of reach of a portable ladder. If that situation arised, the Roofman would initiate the ?Lifesaving Rope Rescue? evolution. I made it a practice and rehearsed every position and knot of the evolution many times; stepped into the rope bowlines, tied into the harness and made the knot. I practiced this evolution in the dark until I was confident.
There is a first time for everything. I recall the first time I was assigned to the ?Roof?. I was detailed to L 38 for a night tour from E 88. I was surprised as I usually got the ?can position? like every other detail and was even more surprised that this assignment was during a night tour. The officer briefed me about the roof position and although I never had the roof, with anticipation of eventually transferring to a truck company I studied all the procedure manuals and asked a whole bunch of questions to the senior truck members. At multi-unit drills I walked myself through roof tasks visualizing my process. I guess I had all the right answers for the boss; ?OK, you got it,? he said, I was honored to be trusted by the lieutenant. I placed my gear near where the ?Roofman? rides, took the handie-talkie marked ?ROOF? off the charger and hung it next to my turnout coat. One of the senior members from L 38 has advice for me and tells me sarcastically, ?you make sure you get your a$$ up there, if you need a mask, we?ll bring one up to you?.
As luck would have it we did catch an all hands in a six story apartment building on a lower floor early into the night tour. Everything went well as I hoped, I used an adjoining apartment building, hustled up the staircase six stories, crossed over to the fire building, popped the skylight (one pane, pause), quick peek over the rear for victims, forced open the bulkhead door and started to search stairwell landings on my way down. First one under my belt, without a hitch...
...Well, there was one little hitch; entering the adjoining apartment lobby lined with residents I was trotting up the four lobby steps focused on my gallant gung-ho quest to get the roof determined not to disappoint when I stub my toe. My right toe does not clear the top step by a smidgeon and I find myself reeling forward, suspended for a few seconds mid-air flying like Superman. My helmet topples off as both metal halligan tools hit the marble floor with echoing
clangs of a dozen church bells. Residents are stunned by the action with bulging eyes and open mouths. They must be thinking; ?That mope is gonna save us?? For a few humbling seconds I felt like a bumbling schmoe, but I quickly gathered the tools off the floor, slapped my lid back on my coconut and resumed the mission, ?nothing shall deter the roofman?? (Maybe that?s what they meant?)
After the job the boss asked how I think I did on the assignment, ?fine, just fine, not a glitch, easy peasy?.
Thanks for reading...Hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
JohnnyGage, L 112 Roofman
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,093
'GENESIS?
I remember the first time I heard the word ?fireman?, that noun took on a whole new meaning to me and planted a seed at a very young age. As a youngster if you asked me what I ?wanted to be when I grew up? I had two clear intentions, the first was a baseball ?catcher? just like New York Mets Jerry Grote and if that didn?t work out then a tailgunner on a B-52 Fortress, I had it all figured out...
However a simple remark by my visiting Aunt would rock my world.
Back in the early sixties with the wayward movement of post WWII families moving to Long Island from the boros my parents bought a simple one story ranch house in Brentwood, almost smack dab in the middle of Long Island. Brentwood was a nice burgeoning blue collar community of simple hi-ranch, ranch or split ranch style homes with small postage stamp size plots laid out in grid-like development. An inexpensive way to expand the size of the house many families resorted to finishing their bare basement to make additional rooms for maybe a pool table, or tv room and some installed a cocktail bar for entertaining the neighbors. It was more common back then for the new neighbors to visit one another for coffee klatches, seasonal festivities and social events.
My dad was an electrician, he wired many homes in expanding housing developments as a young apprentice. His experience in construction permitted him the skill and know how to finish off our basement comfortably with a pool table on one half of the side and a bar on the other. Behind the bar dad had his phonograph with the speakers mounted into the far side wall, he was proud of his well designed lounge and bar, we had family parties there often. Every now and then relatives would visit for the day and share a large family dinner. To accommodate everyone, dad covered the pool table with the ping pong table boards fastened together, then mom would throw a table cloth cover over it transforming the game table into one big festive dinner table.
On this occasion, mom and dad?s best friends ?Jack and Irene? came to visit us for the day. They have a ninety minute trip from Northern Westchester to Long Island. My dad and Jack are childhood buddies and have been best buddies growing up in Canarsie Brooklyn as school kids playing sandlot baseball and football. During the Korean War they both enlisted into the service, dad with the Army and Jack with the Navy. After discharge they both returned to Canarsie, met lady friends and dated together. Dad was invited to join the Local Union of Electrical workers after the service and Jack applied for the upcoming FDNY entrance exam. Eventually dad moved to Long Island whereas Jack moved to Westchester County and began families.
As kids we were directed to always respect adults and elders. At a young age, and although Jack really wasn?t a ?blood? relative we were introduced to Jack and Irene as ?Uncle Jack and Aunt Irene? and the arrangement held up for many years. They have three children like my family with ages that match.
Living with us is my grandmother, my mother?s mom, Florence. A sweet woman, she has an amputated leg and is deaf, she moves around the floor of our house in a wheelchair.
Mom and Dad set up the converted table downstairs in preparation for mom?s famous lasagna dinner where we will all feast and have a grand time. Hot food and salads on the table and everyone begins to gather around, but what about Grandma? She never comes down stairs.
My dad contemplates how to maneuver grandma in the bulky wheelchair down the narrow staircase. My Aunt Irene casually offers, ?Let Jack carry her down, he?s a FIREMAN?.
Her serendipitous remark caught all of my attention. The word ?FIREMAN? enthralled and fascinated me. Aunt Irene simply made a carefree remark that was unchallenged by anyone, even from my dad. ?A FIREMAN?, the word conveyed a sense of assurance and confidence, a sense that the matter at hand would be accomplished proficiently and safely. The situation was under control. Uncle Jack didn?t look the same after that.
I was now completely preoccupied and intrigued wondering what a fireman was all about. I had this passionate desire to know more.
About a year later there was another revelation that my grandmother unintentionally put into motion. Grandma Flo had passed away and her funeral was held in a funeral parlor back in Canarsie on Rockaway Parkway. The funeral home is about a half mile south of E 257 and L 170?s firehouse.
It was the last day of the viewing, family members and friends were milling about outside the funeral parlor on the sidewalk catching a quick smoke, among the friends talking to my dad was Uncle Jack. As fate would have it, in the background we could hear fire truck sirens heading our way and getting louder, all heads turned into the direction of the oncoming rukus as all conversation ceased. E 257 with siren wailing, roars past us, its canvas cover over the open cab flapping with four firemen hanging on the back of the rig. Following behind is L 170?s American LaFrance tiller churning out its own commotion. I?m mesmerized by the fleeting action, I felt exhilarated. Uncle Jack resumes chatting with my dad, he is explaining what we just watched between the two rigs whizzing by and relates a few other fire stories. I?m hooked and Uncle Jack notices, ?Tell you what, next time you visit, we?ll take a ride and I?ll show you my firehouse?.
Grandma Flo inadvertently introduced me to new beginnings, not once but twice!
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
I remember the first time I heard the word ?fireman?, that noun took on a whole new meaning to me and planted a seed at a very young age. As a youngster if you asked me what I ?wanted to be when I grew up? I had two clear intentions, the first was a baseball ?catcher? just like New York Mets Jerry Grote and if that didn?t work out then a tailgunner on a B-52 Fortress, I had it all figured out...
However a simple remark by my visiting Aunt would rock my world.
Back in the early sixties with the wayward movement of post WWII families moving to Long Island from the boros my parents bought a simple one story ranch house in Brentwood, almost smack dab in the middle of Long Island. Brentwood was a nice burgeoning blue collar community of simple hi-ranch, ranch or split ranch style homes with small postage stamp size plots laid out in grid-like development. An inexpensive way to expand the size of the house many families resorted to finishing their bare basement to make additional rooms for maybe a pool table, or tv room and some installed a cocktail bar for entertaining the neighbors. It was more common back then for the new neighbors to visit one another for coffee klatches, seasonal festivities and social events.
My dad was an electrician, he wired many homes in expanding housing developments as a young apprentice. His experience in construction permitted him the skill and know how to finish off our basement comfortably with a pool table on one half of the side and a bar on the other. Behind the bar dad had his phonograph with the speakers mounted into the far side wall, he was proud of his well designed lounge and bar, we had family parties there often. Every now and then relatives would visit for the day and share a large family dinner. To accommodate everyone, dad covered the pool table with the ping pong table boards fastened together, then mom would throw a table cloth cover over it transforming the game table into one big festive dinner table.
On this occasion, mom and dad?s best friends ?Jack and Irene? came to visit us for the day. They have a ninety minute trip from Northern Westchester to Long Island. My dad and Jack are childhood buddies and have been best buddies growing up in Canarsie Brooklyn as school kids playing sandlot baseball and football. During the Korean War they both enlisted into the service, dad with the Army and Jack with the Navy. After discharge they both returned to Canarsie, met lady friends and dated together. Dad was invited to join the Local Union of Electrical workers after the service and Jack applied for the upcoming FDNY entrance exam. Eventually dad moved to Long Island whereas Jack moved to Westchester County and began families.
As kids we were directed to always respect adults and elders. At a young age, and although Jack really wasn?t a ?blood? relative we were introduced to Jack and Irene as ?Uncle Jack and Aunt Irene? and the arrangement held up for many years. They have three children like my family with ages that match.
Living with us is my grandmother, my mother?s mom, Florence. A sweet woman, she has an amputated leg and is deaf, she moves around the floor of our house in a wheelchair.
Mom and Dad set up the converted table downstairs in preparation for mom?s famous lasagna dinner where we will all feast and have a grand time. Hot food and salads on the table and everyone begins to gather around, but what about Grandma? She never comes down stairs.
My dad contemplates how to maneuver grandma in the bulky wheelchair down the narrow staircase. My Aunt Irene casually offers, ?Let Jack carry her down, he?s a FIREMAN?.
Her serendipitous remark caught all of my attention. The word ?FIREMAN? enthralled and fascinated me. Aunt Irene simply made a carefree remark that was unchallenged by anyone, even from my dad. ?A FIREMAN?, the word conveyed a sense of assurance and confidence, a sense that the matter at hand would be accomplished proficiently and safely. The situation was under control. Uncle Jack didn?t look the same after that.
I was now completely preoccupied and intrigued wondering what a fireman was all about. I had this passionate desire to know more.
About a year later there was another revelation that my grandmother unintentionally put into motion. Grandma Flo had passed away and her funeral was held in a funeral parlor back in Canarsie on Rockaway Parkway. The funeral home is about a half mile south of E 257 and L 170?s firehouse.
It was the last day of the viewing, family members and friends were milling about outside the funeral parlor on the sidewalk catching a quick smoke, among the friends talking to my dad was Uncle Jack. As fate would have it, in the background we could hear fire truck sirens heading our way and getting louder, all heads turned into the direction of the oncoming rukus as all conversation ceased. E 257 with siren wailing, roars past us, its canvas cover over the open cab flapping with four firemen hanging on the back of the rig. Following behind is L 170?s American LaFrance tiller churning out its own commotion. I?m mesmerized by the fleeting action, I felt exhilarated. Uncle Jack resumes chatting with my dad, he is explaining what we just watched between the two rigs whizzing by and relates a few other fire stories. I?m hooked and Uncle Jack notices, ?Tell you what, next time you visit, we?ll take a ride and I?ll show you my firehouse?.
Grandma Flo inadvertently introduced me to new beginnings, not once but twice!
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
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- Apr 23, 2018
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PROFILE; Lt. Jack Mayne L38
“Uncle Jack”
John “Jack” Mayne served the FDNY for thirty seven years in the busy South Bronx neighborhood during the “War Years”. His last assignment was the Captain of L 32 when a company medical uncovered a health issue that forced him to retire. Jack was not only my mentor, he nurtured my beliefs and attitude as a young teenager. I observed carefully how he spoke and listened, I noticed how he calmly handled stressful situations and his vision about life in general.
“Uncle Jack” was not really a blood relative. Jack was a childhood school friend of my father, he and my dad grew up in Canarsie, they were inseparable buddies. They played sandlot baseball together, joined the Military during the Korean War, double dated and remained very close friends to the very end. Because of the closeness between Jack and my dad, we called Jack, “Uncle Jack” and his wife Irene, “Aunt Irene”.
Jack was hired by the FDNY July 1956 and assigned to E 204 in Brooklyn. Unfortunately there was a discrepancy about his Navy veteran points and he was laid off for almost a year. Jack challenged the unfavorable decision, in the meantime he returned to his previous trade as a butcher in a supermarket. Coincidentally, his original test list number came up and Jack was rehired. Assigned to E 204 Jack met a Chief who befriended him and made a suggestion. With Jack's experience as a diver during his stint with the Navy, the Chief suggested that he look into Rescue 3 which had vacancies, and if he liked that assignment he could make it happen. Jack jumped at the opportunity.
Jack remained in R 3 for many years, but as the “War Years” began to develop, the noted hot spot getting attention was “La Casa Grande” E 82 and L 31. Then Lieutenant Bob Farrell of L 31 recruited Jack and asked him to consider transferring in which he did. Jack found a home at L 31 along with the action of first due truck work. Jack remained in L 31 from 1970 until his promotion to Lieutenant in 1975. Years later after we both retired Jack confided in me, his best years with the FDNY was with L 31.
In 1971, I was a young teen developing a keen interest in the FDNY, Jack noticed and offered to bring me to Ladder 31. From then on, I would make arrangements to visit during my spring and summer breaks from school and spend the day on Intervale Avenue getting quite an unbelievable education. On one occasion he gave me his battered R 3 helmet as a gift. As I got older Jack encouraged me to prepare for upcoming exams with many helpful suggestions, one was to subscribe to the “Chief Leader” weekly Newspaper for upcoming exams and valuable information.
Jack was promoted to Lieutenant and bounced around Harlem for a short time finding a spot at E 74 in Manhattan. When a vacancy opened for a Lieutenant at E 45 he submitted a request to transfer and returned to the South Bronx. I would ride with Jack many times sharing the front seat of E 45. He usually let me transmit the 10-92’s. “With Pleasure” was Jack’s signature reply when the Bronx CO assigned E 45 to another of its many alarms. It was at E 45 in April 1977 that Jack rescued a L 58 lieutenant during a job on Prospect Avenue. According to the Medal Day book; “Jack was able to remove an unconscious lieutenant from a super heated apartment fire”. His action was recognized by the FDNY and he received the “Third Alarm Medal” in 1978.
August 1979 I was hired by the Washington DC Fire Department and on graduation day, along with my parents Jack and Irene came to celebrate my new beginnings in the fire service. I would not see Jack again until I was hired by FDNY in August 1982. During my time in proby school Jack transferred to L 38 and shortly thereafter I would be assigned to the same firehouse, E 88. Jack and I would now “work” together and “Uncle Jack” officially became “Lou”...my first milestone; working alongside Jack.
It was a pleasure working with Jack and I always looked forward to seeing him, he had a warm and gracious greeting and whenever he spoke with you, it was as if you were the most important person in the room. He did not hunt or fish, nor a big sports enthusiast, but he did like the southern rock of Creedence Clearwater.
Jack had a way with the younger firemen, he conveyed trust and confidence in the young guys and they returned the favor. He was open-minded, and listened intently to others' opinions eager to understand with a positive attitude about new experiences. Jack had a passion for the Firehouse and “The Big Red Machine” with a profound willingness to share his skills and knowledge. “Just doing my thing” he would say.
The next few years at the Belmont firehouse with Jack there would be a few other incredible milestones for me. The second was when I was detailed to L 38 for a night tour, Jack was the boss who assigned me to the “Roofman” position my very first time. Jack knew my experience and capabilities, he showed trust in me. A third milestone was when, again, I was detailed to L 38 and the LCC for that tour “tapped” out (go on medical leave) leaving L 38 without a driver. Once again, Jack knew my background of driving trucks, and firetrucks. Jack told me I would be his Ladder Chauffeur for the day. Another unbelievable and exciting milestone that I never forgot! And to make it so magical and significant, It happened only once. Only one tour would I get to drive Uncle...er “Lieutenant Mayne” sharing the front seat one more time.
Jack was promoted to Captain in 1989, and left L 38, shortly after Jack left, I transferred to Brooklyn. We spoke by phone here and there but not often enough. Jack retired, September 1993 and did his thing traveling, he especially loved visiting China and back home gardening. We lost touch for a period. In the spring of 2009, I reached out to Jack with a simple letter; we need to catch up, let’s have lunch. I really wanted to personally thank him for everything and convey what he meant to me. Jack and I met for lunch at the Eastchester Diner in Westchester County just before St. Patrick's Day, Jack was wearing green beads around his neck, always the young embodiment of vitality. He had tea with an english muffin, I had coffee and a bagel. We
sat and yakked about our “Glory Days” and the “War Years” enjoying the moment exchanging stories as time whizzed by. Jack was surprised that I stayed in touch with some of the “La Casa Grande” members from way back then. During our conversation I thanked him for being my mentor and inspiration, I hope he realized the impact he had on my life.
Jack introduced me to a man’s world where I was fortunate to embrace his knowledge and wisdom he shared freely, his poise and savviness was invaluable throughout my FDNY career. Five months after our lunch Jack died just before his 80th birthday in 2009. I visited him in the hospital the day before he died, he was semi-conscious, but I leaned in and thanked him for guiding me through my life's journey. His gusto and memory is forever with me and still reflects in my daily actions and thoughts.
Never a day goes by that I don’t appreciate another simple lesson in wisdom brought to me by Uncle Jack's impact. I find myself asking; How would Uncle Jack handle life’s curveballs and think; what would he have done? What would he have said? Even today, Uncle Jack still inspires me.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
Lt. Jack, John K (RIP), young "Flash" Dennis G.
“Uncle Jack”
John “Jack” Mayne served the FDNY for thirty seven years in the busy South Bronx neighborhood during the “War Years”. His last assignment was the Captain of L 32 when a company medical uncovered a health issue that forced him to retire. Jack was not only my mentor, he nurtured my beliefs and attitude as a young teenager. I observed carefully how he spoke and listened, I noticed how he calmly handled stressful situations and his vision about life in general.
“Uncle Jack” was not really a blood relative. Jack was a childhood school friend of my father, he and my dad grew up in Canarsie, they were inseparable buddies. They played sandlot baseball together, joined the Military during the Korean War, double dated and remained very close friends to the very end. Because of the closeness between Jack and my dad, we called Jack, “Uncle Jack” and his wife Irene, “Aunt Irene”.
Jack was hired by the FDNY July 1956 and assigned to E 204 in Brooklyn. Unfortunately there was a discrepancy about his Navy veteran points and he was laid off for almost a year. Jack challenged the unfavorable decision, in the meantime he returned to his previous trade as a butcher in a supermarket. Coincidentally, his original test list number came up and Jack was rehired. Assigned to E 204 Jack met a Chief who befriended him and made a suggestion. With Jack's experience as a diver during his stint with the Navy, the Chief suggested that he look into Rescue 3 which had vacancies, and if he liked that assignment he could make it happen. Jack jumped at the opportunity.
Jack remained in R 3 for many years, but as the “War Years” began to develop, the noted hot spot getting attention was “La Casa Grande” E 82 and L 31. Then Lieutenant Bob Farrell of L 31 recruited Jack and asked him to consider transferring in which he did. Jack found a home at L 31 along with the action of first due truck work. Jack remained in L 31 from 1970 until his promotion to Lieutenant in 1975. Years later after we both retired Jack confided in me, his best years with the FDNY was with L 31.
In 1971, I was a young teen developing a keen interest in the FDNY, Jack noticed and offered to bring me to Ladder 31. From then on, I would make arrangements to visit during my spring and summer breaks from school and spend the day on Intervale Avenue getting quite an unbelievable education. On one occasion he gave me his battered R 3 helmet as a gift. As I got older Jack encouraged me to prepare for upcoming exams with many helpful suggestions, one was to subscribe to the “Chief Leader” weekly Newspaper for upcoming exams and valuable information.
Jack was promoted to Lieutenant and bounced around Harlem for a short time finding a spot at E 74 in Manhattan. When a vacancy opened for a Lieutenant at E 45 he submitted a request to transfer and returned to the South Bronx. I would ride with Jack many times sharing the front seat of E 45. He usually let me transmit the 10-92’s. “With Pleasure” was Jack’s signature reply when the Bronx CO assigned E 45 to another of its many alarms. It was at E 45 in April 1977 that Jack rescued a L 58 lieutenant during a job on Prospect Avenue. According to the Medal Day book; “Jack was able to remove an unconscious lieutenant from a super heated apartment fire”. His action was recognized by the FDNY and he received the “Third Alarm Medal” in 1978.
August 1979 I was hired by the Washington DC Fire Department and on graduation day, along with my parents Jack and Irene came to celebrate my new beginnings in the fire service. I would not see Jack again until I was hired by FDNY in August 1982. During my time in proby school Jack transferred to L 38 and shortly thereafter I would be assigned to the same firehouse, E 88. Jack and I would now “work” together and “Uncle Jack” officially became “Lou”...my first milestone; working alongside Jack.
It was a pleasure working with Jack and I always looked forward to seeing him, he had a warm and gracious greeting and whenever he spoke with you, it was as if you were the most important person in the room. He did not hunt or fish, nor a big sports enthusiast, but he did like the southern rock of Creedence Clearwater.
Jack had a way with the younger firemen, he conveyed trust and confidence in the young guys and they returned the favor. He was open-minded, and listened intently to others' opinions eager to understand with a positive attitude about new experiences. Jack had a passion for the Firehouse and “The Big Red Machine” with a profound willingness to share his skills and knowledge. “Just doing my thing” he would say.
The next few years at the Belmont firehouse with Jack there would be a few other incredible milestones for me. The second was when I was detailed to L 38 for a night tour, Jack was the boss who assigned me to the “Roofman” position my very first time. Jack knew my experience and capabilities, he showed trust in me. A third milestone was when, again, I was detailed to L 38 and the LCC for that tour “tapped” out (go on medical leave) leaving L 38 without a driver. Once again, Jack knew my background of driving trucks, and firetrucks. Jack told me I would be his Ladder Chauffeur for the day. Another unbelievable and exciting milestone that I never forgot! And to make it so magical and significant, It happened only once. Only one tour would I get to drive Uncle...er “Lieutenant Mayne” sharing the front seat one more time.
Jack was promoted to Captain in 1989, and left L 38, shortly after Jack left, I transferred to Brooklyn. We spoke by phone here and there but not often enough. Jack retired, September 1993 and did his thing traveling, he especially loved visiting China and back home gardening. We lost touch for a period. In the spring of 2009, I reached out to Jack with a simple letter; we need to catch up, let’s have lunch. I really wanted to personally thank him for everything and convey what he meant to me. Jack and I met for lunch at the Eastchester Diner in Westchester County just before St. Patrick's Day, Jack was wearing green beads around his neck, always the young embodiment of vitality. He had tea with an english muffin, I had coffee and a bagel. We
sat and yakked about our “Glory Days” and the “War Years” enjoying the moment exchanging stories as time whizzed by. Jack was surprised that I stayed in touch with some of the “La Casa Grande” members from way back then. During our conversation I thanked him for being my mentor and inspiration, I hope he realized the impact he had on my life.
Jack introduced me to a man’s world where I was fortunate to embrace his knowledge and wisdom he shared freely, his poise and savviness was invaluable throughout my FDNY career. Five months after our lunch Jack died just before his 80th birthday in 2009. I visited him in the hospital the day before he died, he was semi-conscious, but I leaned in and thanked him for guiding me through my life's journey. His gusto and memory is forever with me and still reflects in my daily actions and thoughts.
Never a day goes by that I don’t appreciate another simple lesson in wisdom brought to me by Uncle Jack's impact. I find myself asking; How would Uncle Jack handle life’s curveballs and think; what would he have done? What would he have said? Even today, Uncle Jack still inspires me.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
Lt. Jack, John K (RIP), young "Flash" Dennis G.
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