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- Apr 23, 2018
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RETURN TO LADDER 31;
30 YEARS LATER
I’m heading in for my first day tour to L 31 for my new assignment, turning off from the Bruckner Expressway onto Longwood Avenue a couple of quick right and left turns puts me on Intervale Avenue and about five minutes from the firehouse I grew up in as a teenanger, it’s like a dream come true. I’ve worked in great companies and revered my time with them, but the historical nature of returning to my grassroots has me feeling nostalgic and curious as the present is about to collide with the past.
It’s been a long time since I have been back in this neighborhood that captivated and enthralled me as an impressionable teen. The community has completely changed from the numerous rows of scorched wasteland of vacant apartment houses, abandoned vehicles and open running fire hydrants. The cobblestone streets have now been neatly paved over with blacktop and lined with townhomes growing green grass front yards. Remaining apartment buildings appear vibrant and well taken care of and I haven’t noticed any empty lots of garbage nor a stripped abandoned vehicle anywhere. There is a lot of townhome construction on various streets but no large projects.
Crossing under Westchester Avenue the subway number 2 and 5 trains run overhead on the El, I know the firehouse is a minute away and I’m eager to return to this magical joint called “La Casa Grande”. Instead of parking along the street as I recall the guys did years ago, the firehouse now has a dedicated parking area across the street in a fenced lot where I pull in to park my GMC pick-up. I take a minute checking out the firehouse and surroundings from the parking lot, I’m being bombarded with golden memories of my time with Jack. I’m experiencing a “Back to the Future” moment.
In a fluky coincidence, I notice that L 31 is responding out of E 82’s bay door just like it did when I first entered the firehouse as a kid. Today L 42 is set back in the firehouse as their house is being renovated, and E 82 is angled to respond from that bay too. In the early 70’s, E 82 and E 85 responded from the L 31 bay, they sat side by side in the extra large deep bay and L 31 moved over and responded out of the E 82 bay that was shorter.
Entering quarters early enough this warm summer morning before the day tour I drop my gear off near the housewatch with a hello and “reporting for duty” handshake to the fireman on watch then proceed to the kitchen to drop off a couple of danish rings I picked up from a bakery. I start the ball rolling by shaking a few hands and introducing myself as the “new guy”, there are a few guys sitting at the kitchen table and they are very welcoming, some are surprised that a nineteen year vet has transferred into the company. I oblige them with small talk without getting into specifics, there will be time later. The Captain I can tell is a bit freaked out though, he thinks I’m some sort of “administrative plant” that is going to report back to some secret commission on evil doings. I have to laugh, this was a Bronx fallacy I’ve heard before.
A young fireman helps me find an empty locker upstairs so I can change into my work duty uniform. This is the first time I have ever been upstairs in this firehouse, when I rode with Uncle Jack, I hung out on the first floor. Putting my work duty clothes on I can’t help but wonder what locker was Jacks, or where was Dennis Smith’s? For all I know, maybe I’m using it. In Dennis’ s book he mentions cleaning out a locker for union paperwork to be stored in, I casually glance around to see if there is a locker as such, but I don’t notice any.
All dressed and ready to go for my first tour I relieved a member on L 31 near the rig, I have the irons until the change of tour in about a half hour. Back in the kitchen I pour myself a cup of Joe and join the troops, as they chat away I listen but I’m deep in thought. I get the feeling I’m in the movie “Field of Dreams”. Like the part where Kevin Costner is waiting for “Shoeless Joe Jackson” to emerge from the corn field but only in the likeness of Charlie McCarthy or Mel Hazel. I can almost see a young me sitting where I used to sit when the big guys were here, the historical significance of this firehouse is oozing and I’m sucking it all in unbeknownst to the others.
I greet my new boss entering the kitchen, Lt. Mac. Coincidently, the very first time I rode with L 31 as a teen, the officer's name was Capt. McCaffrey, and my new boss’s name is very similar with just a letter off to make it different. At the change of tours I get to meet my new crew, all find young men with experiences from proby to twelve years on, the LCC is the senior man of the company who will be retiring soon. One guy stands out, Kenny, he is very welcoming and spirited, we review the TL together. Today I have the can, no surprise as I’ll have to validate my background and experience a little at a time, until the officer feels comfortable with me, it’s like starting all over again. It could be frustrating, but I knew this goes with the territory and I’m fine with it, it’s to be expected and in a few weeks it will all be behind me.
I found out Kenny was studying for the upcoming promotion exam as I was. He showed me a study room that was on the second floor, it had a long makeshift desk along the wall where students could read and take notes quietly and privately.
The firehouse is active with the addition of L 42 members, and that reminds me back then when I rode the beehive of activity with four companies stationed here. It seems like the L 42 guys have occupied the basement in a makeshift tv room.
I’ve been here about a month now and caught some nice first due truck work that I was looking for and getting back into the groove. The newness and nostalgia has subsided and I’m not the new guy anymore. But since I’m a Ladder Chauffeur I find myself being detailed to L 42 often and that’s fine, I’m still in the firehouse just working across the floor. I get a kick driving the streets that I’m familiar with from the Dennis Smith book, Stebbins, Tiffany, Hoe, Jennings, Fox and all the others have a ring to it.
Toward my second month with L 31 this day tour Lt. Mac has two surprises for me, the first is a red L 31 insert that I gladly accepted. I had to maintain my cool but I was jumping for joy in my head, the frontpiece is an immense honor to wear like Jack, Charlie, Mel and all the other guys I knew back then did. Those guys were my inspiration and mentors, just sharing this small piece of treasure was humbling, what could be more exciting? Wham, the second surprise, the boss nonchalantly mentions I’m the Chauffeur today.
Thirty years ago, I sat for the very first time in the front seat of L 31 next to the legend LCC Jerry Albert as a young teen and rode the next three years sharing the same front seat with other legends like Charlie McCarthy and Lt Bob Farrell, even when he became Captain. And, today I will occupy that iconic "seat", an unimaginable ultimate milestone. A career full circle I couldn’t be any happier.
However, in each life some rain must fall. I have been in L 31 for three months and enjoying the routine, new friends and fire duty. Today is September 4th, 2001, a day after Labor day and this morning we had a nice “all hands” basement job on Bryant Avenue near Freeman Street in a private dwelling. I had the irons, forced the iron gate, crawled in with the officer and can and located the fire in a back room like old times, just like riding a bike. Back in the firehouse a few of us were talking about the job when the truck boss approaches me at the kitchen table and says that “L 31 has to supply a man for a thirty day detail to the 1st Division, L 10 for manpower”. He also states that “it is not my detail, and I don’t have to take it”. He continues “but since you live so close, would you consider taking it”.
Of course I’d rather not, and he puts me on the spot. I want to show I’m a team player and as I think more about it, I’d have more study time. With the promotion exam only a month away, I could get extra study time in since I’d have no commute and usually lower Manhattan shuts down after 6 PM. Plus, L 10 is a fine firehouse within walking distance from home, so I say to the boss, “fine I’ll take it, happy to help out”. The detail starts September 8th. Sounds like a plan, so what could go wrong?
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
L 10's Quarters that face the South Tower; WTC #2 on Liberty Street.
Milestone reached when I was asked to Drive L 31, some 30 years later after riding in the front seat as a teenage buff.
30 YEARS LATER
I’m heading in for my first day tour to L 31 for my new assignment, turning off from the Bruckner Expressway onto Longwood Avenue a couple of quick right and left turns puts me on Intervale Avenue and about five minutes from the firehouse I grew up in as a teenanger, it’s like a dream come true. I’ve worked in great companies and revered my time with them, but the historical nature of returning to my grassroots has me feeling nostalgic and curious as the present is about to collide with the past.
It’s been a long time since I have been back in this neighborhood that captivated and enthralled me as an impressionable teen. The community has completely changed from the numerous rows of scorched wasteland of vacant apartment houses, abandoned vehicles and open running fire hydrants. The cobblestone streets have now been neatly paved over with blacktop and lined with townhomes growing green grass front yards. Remaining apartment buildings appear vibrant and well taken care of and I haven’t noticed any empty lots of garbage nor a stripped abandoned vehicle anywhere. There is a lot of townhome construction on various streets but no large projects.
Crossing under Westchester Avenue the subway number 2 and 5 trains run overhead on the El, I know the firehouse is a minute away and I’m eager to return to this magical joint called “La Casa Grande”. Instead of parking along the street as I recall the guys did years ago, the firehouse now has a dedicated parking area across the street in a fenced lot where I pull in to park my GMC pick-up. I take a minute checking out the firehouse and surroundings from the parking lot, I’m being bombarded with golden memories of my time with Jack. I’m experiencing a “Back to the Future” moment.
In a fluky coincidence, I notice that L 31 is responding out of E 82’s bay door just like it did when I first entered the firehouse as a kid. Today L 42 is set back in the firehouse as their house is being renovated, and E 82 is angled to respond from that bay too. In the early 70’s, E 82 and E 85 responded from the L 31 bay, they sat side by side in the extra large deep bay and L 31 moved over and responded out of the E 82 bay that was shorter.
Entering quarters early enough this warm summer morning before the day tour I drop my gear off near the housewatch with a hello and “reporting for duty” handshake to the fireman on watch then proceed to the kitchen to drop off a couple of danish rings I picked up from a bakery. I start the ball rolling by shaking a few hands and introducing myself as the “new guy”, there are a few guys sitting at the kitchen table and they are very welcoming, some are surprised that a nineteen year vet has transferred into the company. I oblige them with small talk without getting into specifics, there will be time later. The Captain I can tell is a bit freaked out though, he thinks I’m some sort of “administrative plant” that is going to report back to some secret commission on evil doings. I have to laugh, this was a Bronx fallacy I’ve heard before.
A young fireman helps me find an empty locker upstairs so I can change into my work duty uniform. This is the first time I have ever been upstairs in this firehouse, when I rode with Uncle Jack, I hung out on the first floor. Putting my work duty clothes on I can’t help but wonder what locker was Jacks, or where was Dennis Smith’s? For all I know, maybe I’m using it. In Dennis’ s book he mentions cleaning out a locker for union paperwork to be stored in, I casually glance around to see if there is a locker as such, but I don’t notice any.
All dressed and ready to go for my first tour I relieved a member on L 31 near the rig, I have the irons until the change of tour in about a half hour. Back in the kitchen I pour myself a cup of Joe and join the troops, as they chat away I listen but I’m deep in thought. I get the feeling I’m in the movie “Field of Dreams”. Like the part where Kevin Costner is waiting for “Shoeless Joe Jackson” to emerge from the corn field but only in the likeness of Charlie McCarthy or Mel Hazel. I can almost see a young me sitting where I used to sit when the big guys were here, the historical significance of this firehouse is oozing and I’m sucking it all in unbeknownst to the others.
I greet my new boss entering the kitchen, Lt. Mac. Coincidently, the very first time I rode with L 31 as a teen, the officer's name was Capt. McCaffrey, and my new boss’s name is very similar with just a letter off to make it different. At the change of tours I get to meet my new crew, all find young men with experiences from proby to twelve years on, the LCC is the senior man of the company who will be retiring soon. One guy stands out, Kenny, he is very welcoming and spirited, we review the TL together. Today I have the can, no surprise as I’ll have to validate my background and experience a little at a time, until the officer feels comfortable with me, it’s like starting all over again. It could be frustrating, but I knew this goes with the territory and I’m fine with it, it’s to be expected and in a few weeks it will all be behind me.
I found out Kenny was studying for the upcoming promotion exam as I was. He showed me a study room that was on the second floor, it had a long makeshift desk along the wall where students could read and take notes quietly and privately.
The firehouse is active with the addition of L 42 members, and that reminds me back then when I rode the beehive of activity with four companies stationed here. It seems like the L 42 guys have occupied the basement in a makeshift tv room.
I’ve been here about a month now and caught some nice first due truck work that I was looking for and getting back into the groove. The newness and nostalgia has subsided and I’m not the new guy anymore. But since I’m a Ladder Chauffeur I find myself being detailed to L 42 often and that’s fine, I’m still in the firehouse just working across the floor. I get a kick driving the streets that I’m familiar with from the Dennis Smith book, Stebbins, Tiffany, Hoe, Jennings, Fox and all the others have a ring to it.
Toward my second month with L 31 this day tour Lt. Mac has two surprises for me, the first is a red L 31 insert that I gladly accepted. I had to maintain my cool but I was jumping for joy in my head, the frontpiece is an immense honor to wear like Jack, Charlie, Mel and all the other guys I knew back then did. Those guys were my inspiration and mentors, just sharing this small piece of treasure was humbling, what could be more exciting? Wham, the second surprise, the boss nonchalantly mentions I’m the Chauffeur today.
Thirty years ago, I sat for the very first time in the front seat of L 31 next to the legend LCC Jerry Albert as a young teen and rode the next three years sharing the same front seat with other legends like Charlie McCarthy and Lt Bob Farrell, even when he became Captain. And, today I will occupy that iconic "seat", an unimaginable ultimate milestone. A career full circle I couldn’t be any happier.
However, in each life some rain must fall. I have been in L 31 for three months and enjoying the routine, new friends and fire duty. Today is September 4th, 2001, a day after Labor day and this morning we had a nice “all hands” basement job on Bryant Avenue near Freeman Street in a private dwelling. I had the irons, forced the iron gate, crawled in with the officer and can and located the fire in a back room like old times, just like riding a bike. Back in the firehouse a few of us were talking about the job when the truck boss approaches me at the kitchen table and says that “L 31 has to supply a man for a thirty day detail to the 1st Division, L 10 for manpower”. He also states that “it is not my detail, and I don’t have to take it”. He continues “but since you live so close, would you consider taking it”.
Of course I’d rather not, and he puts me on the spot. I want to show I’m a team player and as I think more about it, I’d have more study time. With the promotion exam only a month away, I could get extra study time in since I’d have no commute and usually lower Manhattan shuts down after 6 PM. Plus, L 10 is a fine firehouse within walking distance from home, so I say to the boss, “fine I’ll take it, happy to help out”. The detail starts September 8th. Sounds like a plan, so what could go wrong?
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! KMG-365
L 10's Quarters that face the South Tower; WTC #2 on Liberty Street.
Milestone reached when I was asked to Drive L 31, some 30 years later after riding in the front seat as a teenage buff.
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