My younger Buff years

[mikeindabronx]

Bill,

Great posts on  www.ctfire-ems.com

Thanks,

Mike  fdnysbravest.com

 

[patrickfd]

I can remember when I was about 10-11 years old buffing a fire in Manhattan with my dad and as we were coming over the Brooklyn Bridge or maybe the Williamsburg Bridge there were 2 seven story buildings burning with fire coming out of every window in both buildings. The super pumper was working at this fire also. Unbelieveable site for a young kid to see. My eyes must have been bugging out of my head. Love the old pictures. The truckies wearing shoes only, the engine guys with the boots never pulled up. Anyone remember the orange gloves that were worn back in the day. I was issued those when I first went on the "job" and my dad said no way are you wearing those, so off to NYC to the fire store to get the gloves that the FDNY members wore. NYFD stamped on the cuff in red lettering.

 

[nfd2004]

Thanks Mike on the kind words about the "Bridgeport's War Years". I'm glad you checked it out.

  Patfd, I too remember those orange gloves being issued. And like you, I bought my own pair stamped NYFD. I think the store at that time was on Northern Blvd in Queens  ???

  The other day I happened to come across a bag full of 35 mm color slides. I have rig shots and fires. Some of the fires I have no idea when they happened. The only thing I can tell is if they were FDNY or another dept. My big mistake was I never wrote their location and date. I remember trying to hurry and change the film when it ran out. In the winter, the film would be brittle to work with and my fingers would be numb. I can't tell you how may times I didn't line up the film properly because I was in a hurry trying not to miss anything. In the meantime, I was missing the best part of the job. Some buffs would carry two cameras, so when the film ran out, they'd just start using the other camera. "I'd say those guys were maybe a little smarter than I was".

  Today with the digital cameras and no film required, it's just snap, snap, snap etc. I sure wish they were around during those "War Years"

 

[nfd2004]

I have been advised by "mikeindabronx" that he has recently "Updated" and added to his War Years Photos of Bronx and Harlem. He has what I consider to be the "BEST WAR YEARS PHOTO'S" around. (He didn't mess up with the film like I did). One of the photos shows the bucket of Harlems Ladder 14 Tower at a job. It was a huge rearmount American LaFrance Tower, and the only other one was T.L. 163 in Queens. I was always amazed at how those guys got those Huge Monsters through the narrow streets. BUT THEY DID !
  Anyway, check out his latest photos. I don't think you will be disappointed. Go to, http://fdnysbravest.com .
  Thanks very much Mike.

 

[nfd2004]

As a very young Buff going back to the very early 70's, there was something different about the way the FDNY would fight their fires. From my young bicycle buff years to when I first started driving maybe around 1965, the fires I saw were fought very different. Generally, I would see most fires fought from the outside in. The guys would move their 2 1/2 inch lines flowing the water from window to window. It would be a long battle as the flames died down in one window, but lite up in another. These were Good Firefighters but that was the way they were taught.
  I remember one of the First things that impressed me about the FDNY was how quickly they would put out a similar fire. As I watched these first few fires being fought by the FDNY I would see them break windows. Then of course the fire would get worse as the air reached the flames. I thought to myself "these guys (FDNY) are getting worse". The fire would now be blowing out several windows. Then in a matter of a few minutes, the flames turned to white colored smoke and the fire was under control. Instead of water going from the outside in, I would see water being shot from the inside out. I could NOT believe how quickly these fires were put out, lines picked up and those companies back to quarters. We now know that this is the correct way to fight a fire.
  For several years during the mid 60's and early 70's I saw firefighters from very good depts take a beating, especially on those cold nights for hours, instead of minutes. My father, who I called "Smoke" was one of them. (R.I.P. Smoke). I think it is safe to say that I was very fortunate to be able to watch, and observe the Tactics of no doubt the Best Fire Dept in the World. I didn't really realize it then, but I guess fighting a fire from the "inside-out" was probadly one of the first things the FDNY taught me.

 

[NZFDNYBuff]

As a very young Buff going back to the very early 70's, there was something different about the way the FDNY would fight their fires. From my young bicycle buff years to when I first started driving maybe around 1965, the fires I saw were fought very different. Generally, I would see most fires fought from the outside in. The guys would move their 2 1/2 inch lines flowing the water from window to window. It would be a long battle as the flames died down in one window, but lite up in another. These were Good Firefighters but that was the way they were taught.
 I remember one of the First things that impressed me about the FDNY was how quickly they would put out a similar fire. As I watched these first few fires being fought by the FDNY I would see them break windows. Then of course the fire would get worse as the air reached the flames. I thought to myself "these guys (FDNY) are getting worse". The fire would now be blowing out several windows. Then in a matter of a few minutes, the flames turned to white colored smoke and the fire was under control. Instead of water going from the outside in, I would see water being shot from the inside out. I could NOT believe how quickly these fires were put out, lines picked up and those companies back to quarters. We now know that this is the correct way to fight a fire.
 For several years during the mid 60's and early 70's I saw firefighters from very good depts take a beating, especially on those cold nights for hours, instead of minutes. My father, who I called "Smoke" was one of them. (R.I.P. Smoke). I think it is safe to say that I was very fortunate to be able to watch, and observe the Tactics of no doubt the Best Fire Dept in the World. I didn't really realize it then, but I guess fighting a fire from the "inside-out" was probadly one of the first things the FDNY taught me.

That's a very interesting tactic Bill - and I hope to be hearing many more "buffing" stories soon. Thanks again for your verbal history of the New York "War Years"; I for one really appreciate it, seeing what they went through during the 60's and 70's.

 

[engine6]

Just a story that came to mind as I was reading some of the last post. I remember responding to a public housing unit, I think a Three story concrete attached. Well, it was midday on a weekend I think and I was assigned as a floater to a different engine company for the day. We were arrival and I remember seeing what I would describe as a good crowd saturating the street in front of the structure. The Lt. for the tour instructed the crew to keep your heads up for trouble as he called to PD for a response. As I exited the cab, I had been on the job about a year maybe and to my astonishment I saw the 1.75 pre connect was deployed and making the stretch. ( I was on the other side of the rig on arrival). I thought my partner had done so (the stretch without assistance) but I saw ronnie was standing next to me puzzled.

The three of us followed the line through the loud and intoxicated crowd to the apartment on fire (first floor) with fire running the ceiling from the kitchen to the rear and almost out the sliding glass doors. After securing the line and it was a mess, and calling for water I proceded to the front door landing. I noticed a woman in her late 60's I would say on the front lawn burned up pretty bad. With the advancement of the line through the front door I noticed heavy smoke from the midwaist up. As we were going in the bathroom seemed to be the place of orgin, after a quick knock down I was qurious. In the bath area there where about a hundread candles that had been burning and through out the apartment were different pictures and what not of some , I guess voo doo things. A large bottle of rubbing alcohol was found in the bath area also. As it was determined , the tenant had saturated  her self with the alcohol and by accident let her self up pretty good. That was my baptisim by fire, literally and the many more incidents I would encounter on the job responding to that area of the city.

 

[nfd2004]

I was always amazed with the people in the streets. They saw so many fires themselves, that "They" would have a good idea on how the fire should be fought. As I was watching, and the guys would start to fight the fire, somebody would say to me; "They need one of those Cherry Pickers to go there". The "Cherry Pickers" that they were referring to were Tower Ladders. Sure enough, the Tower Ladder would come in and set up right where these people told me.
  I guess that comes with experience in seeing so many fires in your neighborhood. For the first few times visiting/buffing these area's the visitor/buff was usually in "Shock" at what was going on. After a while you just took everything for granted. Whether it was the civilians in the streets telling you how the fire should be fought, or just the abandoned burned out car on the block, it added up to be a Completely different Lifestyle from what the average person knew as Normal.

 

[*******]

People in the street. Row frames. First line into the building of origin. Second and third lines to the exposures, might even jump one or two buildings. People in the street see the lines going into buildings two or three from fire building, they are not to happy, as they don't know why. A lot of negative comments, like "ass holes the building is the one in front of you,"  was the more milder one, and perhaps some airmail. Interesting fires.

 

[nfd2004]

Thank you *******. It's a true Miracle that "Anybody" could do any kind of job there, especially fight fires. I'd hear a few of the comments myself. Alot of those on the street were so full of booze or heron, or both, plus the fact that few had any education at all, only added to the problems. Every once in awhile I would have to reassure myself that; "Yes, I am still in America, the most advanced country in the world".
 The guy that told me about where to place the "Cherry Picker" was actually correct. But he might have been the only sober one on the entire street that day.

 

[nfd2004]

In case anybody missed it in "Combo Fire Companies" thread. G-man has posted the number of Multiples for the FDNY in July, 1974 issue of The Fire Bell Club Newsletter. Are you ready for this. There were 80 Multiples listed. 67 second alarms, 12 third alarms, and 4 fourth alarms.
  According to that Newsletter, G-man reported Bronx had 33 multiples, Brooklyn had 27, Manhattan had 19, and S.I. had 1. Queens had none. No wonder there wasn't much left after those "War Years." Almost three Multiple alarms City Wide each day. Add to that the number of All Hands fires. I think the busiest month for multiples were in July, 1977. I believe they had 100 multiple alarm fires in that month, plus the all hands fires.
  Thanks G-man for your info.

 

[guitarman314]

  July 1977's Runs, Workers and Multiples all got a little boost from the "Blackout of '77".

 

[nfd2004]

  July 1977's Runs, Workers and Multiples all got a little boost from the "Blackout of '77".

  Yes, G-man you are correct. I thought about that later on. Maybe, the July, 1974 was actually the busiest other than the Blackout Issue. It's got to be pretty tough to beat 80 mutiple alarms in one month, even during the War Years. And during the War Years, there were many jobs that got 1 and 1, or 2 and 2, that by todays standards they would be at least an all hands or better. Like the time I remember taking in a five brick vacant, fully involved with No Exposures, being knocked down by 60/17 only. I think we discussed that fire earlier on "My Younger Years." (Funny thing, "My Younger Years", "Days of our Lives" - kinda sounds like a Soap Opera doesn't it ??? ). 

 

[Bxboro]

I haven't been buffin' as long as you NFD however I do remember you telling us not to settle down for a good dinner at "Ehrings" (Godwin Terrace and 231 St.) A "sandwich on the side of the road" was sufficient back then and by God you were right.......More than one time I remember sitting down waiting for my "Chops and smashed" and an All Hands would come in a block away from our hang out....either the McDonalds on Webster or across from 46/27. Man.....we should have listened.....we would show up only to see you and Billy B from B Port getting back into the old red car and heading out........

 

[nfd2004]

I haven't been buffin' as long as you NFD however I do remember you telling us not to settle down for a good dinner at "Ehrings" (Godwin Terrace and 231 St.) A "sandwich on the side of the road" was sufficient back then and by God you were right.......More than one time I remember sitting down waiting for my "Chops and smashed" and an All Hands would come in a block away from our hang out....either the McDonalds on Webster or across from 46/27. Man.....we should have listened.....we would show up only to see you and Billy B from B Port getting back into the old red car and heading out........

Yes, "Bxboro", you must have a few Buffing years under your belt too, if you remember that old red car of mine. I think that was a 1979 Pinto Wagon. Yes, the McDonalds (that was the only close place to eat), or 46/27 Qtrs was my hang out. Myself and Billy B. (now retired Bridgeport, Ct Firefighter), used to bring a picnic lunch down with us because we were too cheap to go to a decent restraunt, plus like you said, we didn't want to leave the area, and there certainly wasn't anyplace around there to eat. By 1979, the War Years were starting to slow down. But there were still a lot of fires by anybody's standards. I think anybody that was there learned a lot from watching those guys work. Alot of the guys that buffed got on the job in some dept. We saw a few jobs and learned the way the job should be done. We got to meet some of the Best Firefighters and Role Models in the World. For us "Bxboro", and all our buddies, "don't you wish we could all do it all over again". "Bxboro", I have no idea who you are. I'd sure wish you'd "PM" me. We probadly got a lot to talk about.

B

 

[nfd2004]

Well, "Bxboro" was in contact with me. It turns out he started buffing the Bronx when he was 14 years old. He now has 15 years on a dept in Connecticut. His brother is also on the job in a busy Bronx Company. He also was a buff in his younger days. In addition was "Ratpack', Zack H., Timmy S., and Sankqdouce. They were all good kids and ALL eventually got on Career Depts. Now they are all seasoned firefighters on their own. Some have been promoted. They all got their start from being Volunteer Firefighters, and Watching the Best Fire Dept in the World, in Action.
  I'm sure that those busy FDNY Companies had no idea on what an affect they had on so many young lives. We all admired what these Firefighters did. Not only did they fight those many fires, but behind the scenes were a group of young kids watching and learning from your actions. Now, 20 or 30 years later, those young buffs are passing on some of the ideas they learned while watching these Brave firefighters at work.
  Now these young buffs that have grown up and gotten on the job have become Role Models to the younger members on their depts. They learned what the job of being a firefighter was all about, and they are passing that onto this next generation. But for them, it all started with buffing the FDNY several years ago. To that we all say "Thank you FDNY".

 

[Bxboro]

Very well put NFD...Buffing in the 1980's was certainly nothing like the "War Years" however it was all many of us ever had the chance to experience. There was certainly enough work still around and I would consider the 80's as the tail end of the "War Years"...especially on July 4th. Fireworks certainly contributed to the majority of the fires in those days. It wasn't uncommon to pull into a block and be held up by fireworks in the street going off for what seemed 15 minutes!!!You were trapped!!! ADV's blocked access to the sidewalks for escape and the show itself made you stay anyway.L-59 still ran a Tiller....R-3 was still on 181 St. and "Shines Corner" was still at 3rd Ave.@East Tremont.I do remember many fires on Walton and Creston Aves. We always saw E-75 and L-33 at first due work. Morris, Sherman and Sheridan Aves. were always great to see E-92 AND TL-44 at work. Div. 6 was in with 50/19 on Wash Ave. I also remember seeing at the time the only 100' TL's operating....TL-163? I believe....and TL-14 (and one other) were Sutphen's at many Bronx fires together.....    

 

[guitarman314]

    You said R3 was still on 145th or did you mean 181st? ???

 

[Bxboro]

181 st....sorry !!!

 

[vbcapt]

One Sutphen was 119 and I believe 14 & 163 were ALF rear mount towers