My younger Buff years

[raybrag]

Hi-Ex foam is still used in certain situations (basements, for example), and some fire depts are still buying hi-ex equipment. Chicago, for instance, bought a new hi-ex truck in 2007.  Here's a link to another, in a volley dept in PA (3rd photo down on the left):  http://www.greensburgfire.org/Truck2/apparatus2.html

 

[R1SmokeEater]

Hi-Ex , Old Foam Squrt, Foam Tender.

 

[nfd2004]

Hi-Ex , Old Foam Squrt, Foam Tender.

  Thanks "r1smokeater".

 

[R1SmokeEater]

nfd, I was able to finally throw them up- I don't wanna clog up TB's board though.................

 

[nfd2004]

nfd, I was able to finally throw them up- I don't wanna clog up TB's board though.................

  Understood there Mr r1smokeater. And I guess if it wasn"t for TB, none of us would be here, right ! I believe you are referring to the Adm. of the site. Ouick side note, A while back I offered to send him a small donation to help pay for the site. He politely refused it. He said they make enough off the ads to cover the cost. How many people out there know anybody who would refuse that. Thanks again TB.

 

[firebuffkevin]

nfd, I was able to finally throw them up- I don't wanna clog up TB's board though.................

  Understood there Mr r1smokeater. And I guess if it wasn"t for TB, none of us would be here, right ! I believe you are referring to the Adm. of the site. Ouick side note, A while back I offered to send him a small donation to help pay for the site. He politely refused it. He said they make enough off the ads to cover the cost. How many people out there know anybody who would refuse that. Thanks again TB.

Yes,  thanks Tom this is a great site.

 

[efd274]

I concur - thanks to TB are in order!

 

[FD347]

Here's where it all starts. More images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12533995@N02/sets/72157603941305234/

 

[johnd248]

Absolutely awesome pictures of that grand technical masterpiece.  Recognized Steve Klein, Dan Buckley, George Muensch, and Waaaaaaaaren Fuchs, among others.  Brought back lots of memories of all the time I spent in the Bklyn CO.

 

[johnd248]

Back in the mid-60s when I worked in a bank at the corner of Flatbush and Church Avenues, it was customary for me to go down the street and have lunch at Engine 248.  During my lunch, the company and battalion responded to a box to the south along with Engine 255 and Ladder 157.  Since the alarm bells were still being utilized, I heard Engine 249 and Ladder 113 "tap out" on a verbal near their quarters.  Soon after, Engine 281 and Ladder 147 had a run of their own.  As I sat alone at the watch desk, an NYC Sanitation truck pulled up in front of quarters billowing smoke from the garbage area; it was very common in the day of incinerators in apartment houses for the garbage trucks to pick up hot garbage which could flare up.  The Sanit men ran to front door and were surprised to see an empty house.  I got on the department phone, identified myself, and advised the dispatcher of the situation.  I then waited and waited until Engine 240 showed up to extinguish the fire.  They were second due on the second alarm for our home box back then.  It just happened that everyone else was out on other calls.

 

[nfd2004]

Here's where it all starts. More images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12533995@N02/sets/72157603941305234/

 I would like to give a Special Thank You to "FD347" for posting these "GREAT PHOTOS" of the Brooklyn Central Office, proudly the home of some of the busiest and best Fire Dispatchers in the World. As most of us know, this Fire Dispatch Office was closed on June 3, 2008.
 You can read about this on this Web Site under "History Forums". Go to "Brooklyn C.O. closes......". I had the privilege of visiting this GREAT FIRE DISPATCH Communications Office. My first visit was sometime around 1975 and its one I Will Never Forget. I wrote about that visit in that Thread "Brooklyn C.O. Closes.....". It is Reply #12 posted on June 16, 2008.
 Thanks very much Frank.
 And Thanks Johnd248 for your Great story.

 

[vbcapt]

Very nice Frank !! See if you can get a picture of the Yak, tell him he's famous, or is he camera shy?

 

[FD347]

Many years ago I thought about putting up a biography page for every dispatcher but nixed it when some of them didn't want their pictures made public. Pity.

 

[BronxFireRadio]

Great pictures of an amazing piece of history, Frank. The equipment sure has changed over the years, as well as the haircuts.

 

[nfd2004]

For those who don"t know, "BronxFireRadio" (above) has a good site of his own. It has a lot of Audio Sounds from both the Bronx Fire Communications Office, and also several Fireground Handie Talkie Communications between units operating. To get onto his site try : www.firegroundphotos.net/bronxco . Latest clips include the recent Tracy Towers Fire. Hope this works.

 

[nfd2004]

I would like to Thank Everyone who contributed to "My Younger Buff Stories". It has now passed the 10,000 mark for views. It would be Number 1 on this site, except for that "Dang" - "FDNY New Rigs" Thread.
  I would Espically like to Thank, "r1smokeater" for his recent photos of the old Foam Units, and the two videos he submitted, one of Capt Ron Carritue - "The Bushwick Fire Storm Years", and the other, "Bronx, NYC".
  Also: "FD347" for his Great Photos of "The Boro of Fire", Brooklyn Fire Communication Office
  "RDM258" for giving us the preview of the 1972 Documentary "The Bronx is Burning"
  "VBCapt" for giving us those Great Photos of Brooklyns Great Fire at Knickerbocker and Bleeker.
  "*******" - for the stories he gave us as the Captain of Engine 82 from 1973 - 1976. He was one of the key players that was fighting those fires.
  For those that sent the "PMs" or "Posted" kind words about the Thread, I greatly appreciate it. But besides the above, there were many more that helped make this a success.
  I can"t forget both "guitarman314" and "johnd248" for their contributions. And for all the others that took the time to tell their stories or comments, you all played apart in this. "Thank You".
  There"s one more very important person. Mr "tbendick", without him, we wouldn"t even have this site.

 

[firebuffkevin]

I would like to Thank Everyone who contributed to "My Younger Buff Stories". It has now passed the 10,000 mark for views. It would be Number 1 on this site, except for that "Dang" - "FDNY New Rigs" Thread.
   I would Espically like to Thank, "r1smokeater" for his recent photos of the old Foam Units, and the two videos he submitted, one of Capt Ron Carritue - "The Bushwick Fire Storm Years", and the other, "Bronx, NYC".
   Also: "FD347" for his Great Photos of "The Boro of Fire", Brooklyn Fire Communication Office
   "RDM258" for giving us the preview of the 1972 Documentary "The Bronx is Burning"
   "VBCapt" for giving us those Great Photos of Brooklyns Great Fire at Knickerbocker and Bleeker.
   "*******" - for the stories he gave us as the Captain of Engine 82 from 1973 - 1976. He was one of the key players that was fighting those fires.
  For those that sent the "PMs" or "Posted" kind words about the Thread, I greatly appreciate it. But besides the above, there were many more that helped make this a success.
  I can"t forget both "guitarman314" and "johnd248" for their contributions. And for all the others that took the time to tell their stories or comments, you all played apart in this. "Thank You".
  There"s one more very important person. Mr "tbendick", without him, we wouldn"t even have this site.

Amen. Well said.

 

[guitarman314]

  Let's keep it going, everytime my Altheimer's let's up, I remember something I want to share and this is just the right place for it.

 

[nfd2004]

I agree G-Man. There"s more stories to be told. We still have the 80s to cover, and yes, as time goes on, that old brain starts to rattle a little, and more stories come out. Yes G-man, you, me, Johnd248, my brother georged4997, plus a few others have more stories to tell. Its just a matter of getting our Senior thoughts together. Actually, sometimes it"s Fun getting older. Like these days, "sometimes seeing Double Vision, is alot better than Television". "The only problem is deciding which truck on the highway is the real one". So us Seniors need to keep this ongoing with our 40-50 years of buffing experience.

 

[nfd2004]

From WNYF, 2nd Issue, 1975. (Poem)
  Five years ago and how we knew, Oh, Number One belonged to you. We relocated and saw your clothes, Filled with dirt as was your nose. We took your runs while you cleaned up and ate. After all, you were first from the starting gate. You even have an author who wrote a book. About Number One, and what it took. But like anything else, times will change. And even the numbers will re-arrange. Someone else will soon take over top spot. Our area changed, and things got hot. Look at the statics for Seventy Four. Thirty One Truck is not there anymore. It"s Thirty Three now, and when you"re near our borders, just hoist a "salute" as you pass our quarters.
                                                             By, Vinnie Ryan, and associates of Ladder Co 33
  P.S. - Special Thanks goes to my Good Buddy Stuie, Captain in the Norwich, Ct Fire Dept, for passing this on to me.