My younger Buff years
- Thread starter nfd2004
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Earlier on this page, I mentioned about how I had promised to talk more about the 1980s, as the War Years started to slow down. The Bronx neighborhoods were still burning, only not as much. So were the busy areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan. I also noticed that Queens was starting to pick up too. Although at this point I hadn't been to Queens much. I had heard that Jamaica and St Albans area's were seeing the most work there. I had also heard that Queens had a lot of frames. Staten Island was just a little too far for me to go. I was familiar with the Bronx, and Harlem, so I pretty much stayed around there. (Although I did hit Brooklyn a few times).
The fires continued. I still smelled of smoke when I got home. Those West Bronx Companies now were hopping. Plus the South Bronx was still getting its share of work. But the fires were more spread out now. It was pretty much everything South of Fordham Rd. And in Harlem pretty much everything from about 110th St to about 190th St. Fires were still being set using accelerates, either to collect on Insurance, or for revenge, whatever the reason was.
I believe it was 1987 when a fire was set on Southern Blvd near East Tremont Ave. It was a small two story brick building called "The Happyland Social Club". Too many people inside of a small building, with only one very narrow stairway leading to the dance floor and no other way out. There was an argument between a boyfriend and his Ex-girlfriend. He came back with some gasoline and set that only stairway on fire. With no other way out, I believe "87" Innocent people lost their lives that night. As I understand it, most of the victims died of smoke inhalation as the first due companies did a good job at knocking down the fire. Today, a Memorial sits across the street on Southern Blvd. A reminder to one of the Worst Fires in New York City History.
The fires continued. I still smelled of smoke when I got home. Those West Bronx Companies now were hopping. Plus the South Bronx was still getting its share of work. But the fires were more spread out now. It was pretty much everything South of Fordham Rd. And in Harlem pretty much everything from about 110th St to about 190th St. Fires were still being set using accelerates, either to collect on Insurance, or for revenge, whatever the reason was.
I believe it was 1987 when a fire was set on Southern Blvd near East Tremont Ave. It was a small two story brick building called "The Happyland Social Club". Too many people inside of a small building, with only one very narrow stairway leading to the dance floor and no other way out. There was an argument between a boyfriend and his Ex-girlfriend. He came back with some gasoline and set that only stairway on fire. With no other way out, I believe "87" Innocent people lost their lives that night. As I understand it, most of the victims died of smoke inhalation as the first due companies did a good job at knocking down the fire. Today, a Memorial sits across the street on Southern Blvd. A reminder to one of the Worst Fires in New York City History.
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MFA's - 5 or 6 false alarms in a row were not uncommon. You could almost tell what time it was by some boxes (e.g. - the after school boxes). Most went 10-20 then 10-92, rewind the box, and pick up another run. No big deal. There were some good stories about units that tried to nab box pullers and I think many actually did. I can recall all the boxes located along the Coney Island Boardwalk, for example. There was usually nothing at these boxes, especially during the non-summer months. The battalion would frequently turn out first, zip down Surf Ave past the box location, turn off all lights and squeeze up a ramp several blocks down, and then rumble along the Boardwalk. It was interesting to see all the shadows scrambling. Occasionally, a group of young kids would be surprised" and a few comical conversations took place with energetic aides. Unfortuantely, 4 or 5 sets of sirens and air horns and half a dozen guys in black rubber coats and yellow stripes walking around the block were part of the entertainment growing up in NYC.
By the way, there were some good stories from the old timers back then who talked about using the boxes to transmit multiple alarms. When you think about it, the fire alarm box system was something else. Everyone had a fire alarm box key on their key rings. The telegraph alarm system was reliable and relatively precise, even if someone walked a few blocks to turn in the alarm. You did not get incorrect verbal addresses. The system survived power outages. It was also a way for units to communicate in the pre-radio days.
When I was in 50 engine we had the one box where every night around 2AM we would get a 9-2. Response to the box was 50,73, 19 and 42 truck. Night after night same box, same 9-2 at same time. One night as we pulled up and it was another 9-2 one unit started to lean on their siren. We all picked up on it and blew the sirens of all 4 units for a minute or so. I know that we woke the neighborhood up. That was the last night that we were called there at that time.
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Thanks, that's for another thread. If you want to see more, look here: http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l155/guitarman314/?mack said:
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guitarman314 said:
Why don't you start another thread. Many of us are interested in your work.
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Guitarman-Fantastic work on the models
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I did start a new thread in the 'For Sale or Trade' section, it was a hobby that just outgrew itselfmack said:
As the 1980s came in, I had learned that The NY Fire Fighters Burn Center would sponsor classes for anyone who wanted to attend. They would hold these classes about three to four times a year, usually on Saturdays. I believe this was started by the Late Retired Lt Jim Curran formerly of Rescue 1. Several others also helped organize this to help support the Burn Unit, while bringing some of the most experienced members to talk on various subjects. All donating their time with no pay. The cost was $25.00 and included lunch and the money would go to help support the Burn Unit. I always made sure I attended these. Usually there was three or four speakers during the day. Some of the most well known across the country. Like Chief Ray Downey and Lt Andy Fredricks who we lost on 9/11. Others like Dep Chief Vincent Dunn, Chief John Norman, Chief John Salka, Capt Rex Morris, and many others all donating their time to give these classes and Help the Burn Center.
By far, no question at all. For me, these were the BEST Classes I ever attended in the Fire Service. I believe they still offer these. I"m sure if anybody was interested, you can check out their web site. I believe they also offer some Great FDNY Training DVDs too.
In the 1980s, after these classes were over around 3 PM, I'd leave "The Rock" and head to my favorite Bronx neighborhoods. For me, it was the Best Classes and then the Best Buffing, money could buy. I sure enjoyed that.
By far, no question at all. For me, these were the BEST Classes I ever attended in the Fire Service. I believe they still offer these. I"m sure if anybody was interested, you can check out their web site. I believe they also offer some Great FDNY Training DVDs too.
In the 1980s, after these classes were over around 3 PM, I'd leave "The Rock" and head to my favorite Bronx neighborhoods. For me, it was the Best Classes and then the Best Buffing, money could buy. I sure enjoyed that.
nfd2004 I am awaiting more " younger buff years" stories from you and the rest of posters that were around during this fire period. Thanks for posting to everyone. Its hard to image the work load and the condition of an American city in these modern times. So please keep them coming, the stories take us all back to a time and place when I think we all wish we could do a tour or two and see first hand what you all witnessed first hand. Thanks again guys.
"engine 6", I certainly don't want to disappoint you. As the stories come to me, I will certainly pass them on. As you see in the previous 18 pages or so, others have done the same. They've done a Great Job, and because of them, we've been able to add to these stories. Hope you checked them all out.
I wrote on another thread here about one of the pictures that was put on showing a War Years Job. It showed the building on fire and the front porch (it was a frame) and front cement sidewalk burning too. As the rigs would pull up, they would have to first extinguish the fire burning on this cement sidewalk. No doubt about it, an accelerate was used. Make it a 10-41. And that wasn't too uncommon in those days. Or another thing I remember seeing was three separate fires going on at the same time. As the first due Engine and Truck pulled up to a job, not only was the building on fire, but a separate dumpster, and a car also. Maybe nobody else was coming because all the other companies were operating somewhere else. The MPO (Motor Pump Operator) would be using the booster line from the rig to extinguish the dumpster and car fire by himself, while the other guys were fighting the building fire.
I remember walking some streets where the entire block was completely burned out. Nobody around other than maybe a few pigeons flying in and out of the buildings. As winter came in, you could hear the wind blowing through these totally destroyed burned out buildings. Hard to believe maybe 2 or 3 years earlier, the entire block was occupied.
I wrote on another thread here about one of the pictures that was put on showing a War Years Job. It showed the building on fire and the front porch (it was a frame) and front cement sidewalk burning too. As the rigs would pull up, they would have to first extinguish the fire burning on this cement sidewalk. No doubt about it, an accelerate was used. Make it a 10-41. And that wasn't too uncommon in those days. Or another thing I remember seeing was three separate fires going on at the same time. As the first due Engine and Truck pulled up to a job, not only was the building on fire, but a separate dumpster, and a car also. Maybe nobody else was coming because all the other companies were operating somewhere else. The MPO (Motor Pump Operator) would be using the booster line from the rig to extinguish the dumpster and car fire by himself, while the other guys were fighting the building fire.
I remember walking some streets where the entire block was completely burned out. Nobody around other than maybe a few pigeons flying in and out of the buildings. As winter came in, you could hear the wind blowing through these totally destroyed burned out buildings. Hard to believe maybe 2 or 3 years earlier, the entire block was occupied.
Some GREAT New pictures posted by Mike Dick. GREAT Action photos from the WAR Years. Thanks Mike for sharing these with us.
http://fdnysbravest.com
http://fdnysbravest.com
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I remember back in my Engine 248/Battalion 41 days, the Battalion responded to a box on Utica Avenue, around Snyder or Beverly. The chief located a relatively small fire on the second floor of a 3 story brick. It was enough so that one line would be needed. It was one of those times when every unit was out on other calls and the battalion arrived alone. The chief heard an apparatus approaching, looked out the window to see the first due truck pulling down the street. He thought, great, what I really need is an engine. Before the truck could enter the building, he heard another apparatus approaching; again, he looked out the window, only to see the second due truck entering the block. Eventually an engine showed up to extinguish the fire. The chief told that story for years.
You could always count on firefighters to demonstrate their ingenuity. An afternoon box in the early 1970's was pulled for smoke somewhere along Coney Island Creek. It turned out to be a large couch smoldering. Extinguishers did not do the job and a stretched line would have been very difficult. Then a member of L 161 found a pile of discarded paint buckets. Simultaneously, everyone grabbed a pair of empty paint cans and headed towards the "blaze". Literally, all hands went to work, 2 engines, 2 trucks and the battalion, with an actual bucket brigade line, soaking the foam in the large couch until it was "under control". No special units were needed and no "all hands" was transmitted. But there was a bucket hooked to L 161's tower ladder bucket as they returned to quarters.
I apoligze to all. I've actually been busy writing stories on another web site called www.ctfire-ems.com . It's also about a Fire Dept during "it's own busy War Years". It is Bridgeport, Ct, of course a much smaller city than New York City. But shortly before the FDNY War Years started to end, not only Bridgeport, Ct but other similiar size cities like Jersey City, Yonkers, and Providence, R.I. had a huge increase in fire activity in the mid 70s and 80s. I wrote about Bridgeport because I was familiar with it.
If you'd like to check some of these stories out, go to www.ctfire-ems.com . Click on "Ct Fire Dept's General Forum", then go to "Bridgeport's War Years".
But let me say this. By far this is still my favorite Web Site. I sure enjoy reading the threads of the busiset Fire Dept in the World. Hopefully if my memory kicks in, I'll be able to write a few more stories on "My Younger Buff Years". In the meantime Thanks to All that added to the stories.
If you'd like to check some of these stories out, go to www.ctfire-ems.com . Click on "Ct Fire Dept's General Forum", then go to "Bridgeport's War Years".
But let me say this. By far this is still my favorite Web Site. I sure enjoy reading the threads of the busiset Fire Dept in the World. Hopefully if my memory kicks in, I'll be able to write a few more stories on "My Younger Buff Years". In the meantime Thanks to All that added to the stories.