I believe it was 1975 when I first met Jill Freedman, I was Captain of 82 engine at the time. Dennis Smith brought Ms. Freedman into our quarters one day tour, introduced me to her. I found her very pretty and nice to talk to. She had permission from downtown to ride with the companies in the house for her planned book. Smith left and then I made a big mistake which "flavored" my relationship with her that never changed while she rode with us. It was around 1400 hours and I took her downstairs and introduced her to the members, and then the mistake, I left her with the "guys." We had a run around 45 minutes or so later, was a slow tour. The guys in their very best social behavior had shown Ms. Freedman their cellar sanctuary and had provided her with some refreshments. I slid the pole for the run and saw Ms. Freedman holding on to the rig "for balance." I had one of the guys stay back with her to help her regain her footing. When we returned to quarters I had a talk with her and felt it necessary to restrict her to the first floor of quarters from then on. She rode with me only a few tours and again we had a slight problem with her staying out of the fire buildings, for her safety, which she felt was unnecessary.
I was off tour one night when she came in and was riding with the guys. It was a very slow night so Ms. Freedman left quarters and decided to ride with 69/28 for awhile. When she arrived at 69/28 the companies were both out. There was a relocated company in qtrs. and she asked them where 69/28 were working. She was told that "the shit was hitting the fan in the Bronx and there were three 4 alarm fires burning in 82/31's area." The fires made the news the next day. It seems that a radical group decided to "make a statement" that night'" and set fire to three vacant buildings simultaneously. 82/31 responded to the first call, fire was in vacant H type. Counting the windows the next day fire was showing from around 100 windows when the units arrived, a lot of gasoline was used to set the blazes.
The guys loved Ms. Freedman, and more so, respected her. She did the department and the fire service a great credit, which still lives on today. May she rest in Peace.
