I remember driving along the Bruckner Expressway (maybe late 70s) midday. I saw a new car pulled over, hood open, driver apparently gone for help. I also saw a van pulling up behind it with 3 or 4 guys jumping out of it. I suspected what was going to happen so I got off at the next exit, spent a few minutes circling around, made my way back on the Bruckner - and the damn car was already stripped. Tires/wheels/everything gone. No sign of the van. I have to say that even though I was pissed, I was also impressed. Unfortunately, there were no cell phones and even if I was able to invent one, cops had bigger crimes to worry.
My younger Buff years
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Back in 1972 around 10 AM on the Major Deegan service rd. (E. 135th between Alexander & Lincoln Aves.) driving my 1963 Ford Galaxie wagon when I hear a noise from the undercarriage. I pull over to peer under the car and some guy pulls up alongside me and yells: "You got the tires, I'll take the battery!" 
Reading these stories, it might sound strange, but I'm just glad I was a part of it. Besides seeing the worlds busiest fire dept in action, there was always plenty of other action going on. It was an education that you couldn't get from a book. At times, some things, I wouldn't give a second look to. Sometimes you just became so immune to it. Where I would notice the difference is if I brought a guy down for his first or second visit. They were just in shock at what they saw. As you'd ride down a street and see piles of rubbish, stripped abondoned cars, blocks of burned out buildings, fire hydrants running flowing thousands of gallons of water into the street, etc, etc. All that while chasing probadly more fires in a day, than some of my friends had seen in a week, a month, or even a year.
I think my record for catching working fires was 11 in one day. But that was only in about eight or ten square miles. I think NYC total is about 360 Sq miles. I remember one time taking in a Second Alarm in the North Bronx, just because it was on our way home. Otherwise I wouldn't have drove to it.
Yes, it was about the fires. But it was also about all the other kinds of stories that have been mentioned. A time in history that most people want to forget. But if you were there, you will never forget.
I think my record for catching working fires was 11 in one day. But that was only in about eight or ten square miles. I think NYC total is about 360 Sq miles. I remember one time taking in a Second Alarm in the North Bronx, just because it was on our way home. Otherwise I wouldn't have drove to it.
Yes, it was about the fires. But it was also about all the other kinds of stories that have been mentioned. A time in history that most people want to forget. But if you were there, you will never forget.
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This topic is like a first class novel,.... I can't stop reading it. Well, at any rate I'll add a couple of my own escapades.
One time I was going down to 110 Church to stop at the store at HQ. I had the usual "buff accouterments on the car (chevy Impala), and my red strobe on the dash, gear in the back seat. It really looked like an under cover FDNY marshall's car, except it had Pennsylvania plates, So I get out of the car after parking it in an FDNY only parking spot, in the standard uniform of that day, radio across my shoulder, and another marshall ( a real one) walks up to me and says, " we're using out of state plates now??? " I said Yeah,.... latest thing, concealment, and walked away leaving the "real" marshall quite beside himself......... I couldn't stop laughing all the way up the elevator.
ROFLOL X100
One time I was going down to 110 Church to stop at the store at HQ. I had the usual "buff accouterments on the car (chevy Impala), and my red strobe on the dash, gear in the back seat. It really looked like an under cover FDNY marshall's car, except it had Pennsylvania plates, So I get out of the car after parking it in an FDNY only parking spot, in the standard uniform of that day, radio across my shoulder, and another marshall ( a real one) walks up to me and says, " we're using out of state plates now??? " I said Yeah,.... latest thing, concealment, and walked away leaving the "real" marshall quite beside himself......... I couldn't stop laughing all the way up the elevator.
ROFLOL X100
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Well, another time while at E-211's in the late 70's, we were dispatched about 03:00, as 3rd due eng. to a 10-75, fire on the top floor of a 5 st o/m/d/ heavy fire coming out the whole top fl. We pulled up and we were trying to get a hydrant, but a car was parked right in front of the closest hydrant. So, we had to find the next best, and lay the line from the tower operating back to the hydrant. We did so, but grabbed a nearby cop to complain about the "hydrant" situation. When we told him what happened, he promised to "take care of it" for us.
I was with the mpo back at the engine, and I was watching the cop. He walked around the offending car, cut the stems on all 4 tires, then proceded to whack the windshield of the offending vehicle several times with his night stick, causing the expected result. He topped off his "night's work" by completing the job w/ a ticket for parking on a hydrant !! WOW What Service !!! The fire was held to an all hands, although there was one 10-45 code 1 in the apt.
I was with the mpo back at the engine, and I was watching the cop. He walked around the offending car, cut the stems on all 4 tires, then proceded to whack the windshield of the offending vehicle several times with his night stick, causing the expected result. He topped off his "night's work" by completing the job w/ a ticket for parking on a hydrant !! WOW What Service !!! The fire was held to an all hands, although there was one 10-45 code 1 in the apt.
Lol at all of these car stories,the only valid one i can remember my uncle had a beat up 78 camaro in the late 80's to the early 90's. This thing was a wreck to begin with but it only had cost him a few hundred bucks, the doors on that thing would randomly open while in drive, it couldnt make it up hill,and it would speed up without slowing down on a downhill.Also a horrible fish smell. Well the engine finally gave in one day, instead of taking it to a chop shop he decided to dumped it on burnside and jerome we cab it back home. So the next morning my uncle decides lets go see if its there so me and my older cousin go along. When we get there all we find is the engine and a note ontop of it Which read "hey buddy next time clean your trunk" little did we realize that the dried up rotted fish that was on the engine was the source of the fish smell.
There have been several instances when a supply line between and engine and a hydrant is run through an offending car parked next to the hydrant. My company did it at least once at a fire on Linden Blvd. When the line was uncoupled, it just happened to drain inside the offending car. The chauffeur of Ladder 113 came out of the building and stood in front of the offending vehicle. As he said " I can't believe anyone would park next to a hydrant", he flicked his wrist holding an axe and took out one of the headlights. He moved a few feet and said "why would anyone park here?". His wrist flicked once again and took out the other headlight. Then we had the PD sector car issue a summons as we left the scene.
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One of the best I've seen was TL138 needing to get their boom up fast and dropping a tormentor across the trunk of a parked car. I'm currently trying to locate a photo of it.
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I remember a job in Boston during the 70's It was a really cold night in the city when a box was struck for the back bay. Engine 33 pulled up to the hydrant but there was a Benz parked on the hydrant. Some companies would have knocked out both windows and make sure there was a loose coupling fitting in the middle. In other words they would soak the interior. At this job the car was on an incline, and the hydrant fitting was not completely tight, if you know what I mean! The job went to a fifth, after 7 hours of pumping the Benz was in a foot of solid ice! Payback is a moth--f---er, ain't it
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In the early 60's I spent some time at Pease AFB in Portsmouth,NH.A few of us would go to Boston & due some buffing. I do remember several times seeing car windows broken and the suction hose run through the car parked at a hydrant. Also saw some very good ladder work in Boston.
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Well time for another E-211 escapade.....
It was during the mid 70's when I used to buff at E-82 & L-31, By this time, I had gotten to know many of the guys on the shift, which by coincidence was the same shift Dennis Smith had been on, but a short time after he had left 82's. I was helping with the meal in the kitchen, and we got a call for a fire on a barge at Hunts Point. So, off we go .... we get there and it was a garbage barge at the dock(fun city ). So the Lt. has us stretch a 1 3/4 line but doesn't connect it to the pumper, but to the hydrant nearby. We stay and "wet down" for some time, and it was getting about nighttime shift change, and the Lt. was also covering the night shift as well. He says to me { I had my own gear on} do you think you can handle this **** until I can take the outgoing shift back and come back for you?? I says sure Loo, I'll hold the fort here... he says great we'll be back shortly. So, I've got my scanner with me and I'm on the Bronx Freq listening, and wetting down the trash fire on the barge at the dock. I hear nothing from 82's, and I was wondering if they forgot me at Hunts Point, and how I would explain getting stranded there.
About 45 min. later {still no radio traffic from 82} they come back as I could hear the siren approaching, and saw them pull up. Loo says everything under control?? No sweat Loo, we're good. Great says he. We stayed for about another hour till it was pretty well extinguished, and then went back to quarters and back in service. After that call, I got invited downstairs, into the brothers "inner sanctum" where they had much entertainment items, and "beverages". What really blew my mind, was the old beer keg that they had cut out, and made a urinal of right there in middle of the "entertainment room" which I assume had been placed there for "convenience" so one wouldn't have to go far to drop the tank so to speak. I made good friends there among Dennis Smith's former shift members, but none better than Buddy Croce. Buddy was an adjunct big brother, father confessor, and house cook. Although I never rode with him on the truck, we just hit it off pretty good.
All the brothers there always treated me as one of their own, and I never felt like an outsider. I still remember all the burned out 5 & 6 st tenements, and I could never get over the scene of the Bronx in those days looking much like I had seen of WWII pictures of Berlin being bombed out, there was hardly a difference in appearance.
I always had a great time there at La Casa Grande, and I'll never forget those days riding with E-82 & L-31.
It was during the mid 70's when I used to buff at E-82 & L-31, By this time, I had gotten to know many of the guys on the shift, which by coincidence was the same shift Dennis Smith had been on, but a short time after he had left 82's. I was helping with the meal in the kitchen, and we got a call for a fire on a barge at Hunts Point. So, off we go .... we get there and it was a garbage barge at the dock(fun city ). So the Lt. has us stretch a 1 3/4 line but doesn't connect it to the pumper, but to the hydrant nearby. We stay and "wet down" for some time, and it was getting about nighttime shift change, and the Lt. was also covering the night shift as well. He says to me { I had my own gear on} do you think you can handle this **** until I can take the outgoing shift back and come back for you?? I says sure Loo, I'll hold the fort here... he says great we'll be back shortly. So, I've got my scanner with me and I'm on the Bronx Freq listening, and wetting down the trash fire on the barge at the dock. I hear nothing from 82's, and I was wondering if they forgot me at Hunts Point, and how I would explain getting stranded there.
About 45 min. later {still no radio traffic from 82} they come back as I could hear the siren approaching, and saw them pull up. Loo says everything under control?? No sweat Loo, we're good. Great says he. We stayed for about another hour till it was pretty well extinguished, and then went back to quarters and back in service. After that call, I got invited downstairs, into the brothers "inner sanctum" where they had much entertainment items, and "beverages". What really blew my mind, was the old beer keg that they had cut out, and made a urinal of right there in middle of the "entertainment room" which I assume had been placed there for "convenience" so one wouldn't have to go far to drop the tank so to speak. I made good friends there among Dennis Smith's former shift members, but none better than Buddy Croce. Buddy was an adjunct big brother, father confessor, and house cook. Although I never rode with him on the truck, we just hit it off pretty good.
All the brothers there always treated me as one of their own, and I never felt like an outsider. I still remember all the burned out 5 & 6 st tenements, and I could never get over the scene of the Bronx in those days looking much like I had seen of WWII pictures of Berlin being bombed out, there was hardly a difference in appearance.
I always had a great time there at La Casa Grande, and I'll never forget those days riding with E-82 & L-31.
E 211, I have to guess that being at Eng 82 and Lad 31 in those Busy War Years was "NO" "PARTY". Those guys saw their Brothers get hurt and disablied all the time. During those busy years, the FDNY was loosing 11 Firefighters a year in line of duty deaths. Many FDNY Firefighters had to get off the job from serious injuries. They saw their Brothers get hurt and even die in front of them. The free times they did have was far and few apart. They'd sometimes go from job to job without even getting time to eat their meal.
These Firefighters threw themselves into danger day after day. sometimes hour after hour. I talked to one retired member of Engine 82 within the last few months. His stories are of seeing his Brothers get hurt on the job. And even die on th job. I asked him if he ever goes back there. He said "NO". Just too many memories. I don't think he was referring to his "good" memories.
The Firefighters of Engine Co 82 and Ladder Co 31 were the Busiest in the World. If they had time to relax, I think they deserved it.
These Firefighters threw themselves into danger day after day. sometimes hour after hour. I talked to one retired member of Engine 82 within the last few months. His stories are of seeing his Brothers get hurt on the job. And even die on th job. I asked him if he ever goes back there. He said "NO". Just too many memories. I don't think he was referring to his "good" memories.
The Firefighters of Engine Co 82 and Ladder Co 31 were the Busiest in the World. If they had time to relax, I think they deserved it.
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NFD 2004.... Reading your blurb I think back when I was in the trenches(E-290 L-103, 65 -81) and I remember carrying out maimed and injured members and non of us were ever sorry we had a busy tour or didn't rest long enough. Why do you think we fudged the #s so we wouldn't have to inter change the next night, and work with "Queens Quiff's" which I became one day (E-315. ) Driving to work on Southern State Pky' and seeing 3 columns of smoke rising out of Bk. got everybody in the car pool excited. The fact that we were doing a job no one else on the planet could do was better then any rest or free time we might have gotten. Plus they paid us to do it. Don't feel to sorry for the Brothers we all loved every min. we worked and were thrilled with working with the guys we worked with. God bless them all. Mike Weinberger, L-103 Ret.
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Mike... i know exactly what you are saying.....going to work, i used to get on the LIE in Flushing & as i accelerated in the entrance lane heading to BROOKLYN i felt like i was on a rocket ship heading for the moon......41 years ...it was a great trip .....some days were sad ...but most were EXCELLENT ...would'nt trade it for anything ......i agree about the interchange it blew.....nobody in LAD*108 wanted to do it either......& the Queens Quiffs ......yes we used to say that too....in later years though i was Capt of ENG*275 & LAD*126 for about 6 years then BC in Bn*46 for another 10 ......Queens became great too....i enjoyed all of it till they said " hit the road Jack"......one year too soon i wanted to do 42 but the body didnt hold out....i dont know if i ever met you but i drove John Vig for 9 of my 10 years in RES*2 & he mentioned your name many times........Regards ...Jack Kleehaas.
The Busy companies of Ladder 103, Ladder 108, Rescue 2, then a litlle later Eng 275, Ladder 126, and Battalion 46. For Mike Weinberger and Jack Kleehass, "enjoy your retirement". You certainly earned it. I have hung out in those neighborhoods that you worked over the years. I have been to Ladder 103 and Rescue 2s quarters several years ago. (when Rescue 2 was with Engine Co 210, and their current quarters). I was always treated with respect by the members at each house. Thank You, and again, "enjoy your retirements". And Thank you for telling your stories on this site.
Yes, it's True, during those Busy War Years those firefighters wanted to fight fires. The moral within the dept was as high as it could get. At least from what I had seen. As busy and dangerous as it was, those guys "Loved going to work".
In my above post, I wanted to try and say working in a busy house like 82/31 was "No Party". Although I'm sure most enjoyed going to work, reality was that many members got hurt in those days. I may have read into the post by "E 211" (above), that it was some kind of party going on, when actually, those guys just loved going to work.
Mark (E 211) has been very good to me. He sent me photos of those Combo Company Helmet Fronts. I just didn't want people on this site to think that these firehouses were Social Clubs. They were homes to some very Busy and Great Firefighters. (and Mark R, hope we're still buddies).
Yes, it's True, during those Busy War Years those firefighters wanted to fight fires. The moral within the dept was as high as it could get. At least from what I had seen. As busy and dangerous as it was, those guys "Loved going to work".
In my above post, I wanted to try and say working in a busy house like 82/31 was "No Party". Although I'm sure most enjoyed going to work, reality was that many members got hurt in those days. I may have read into the post by "E 211" (above), that it was some kind of party going on, when actually, those guys just loved going to work.
Mark (E 211) has been very good to me. He sent me photos of those Combo Company Helmet Fronts. I just didn't want people on this site to think that these firehouses were Social Clubs. They were homes to some very Busy and Great Firefighters. (and Mark R, hope we're still buddies).
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68jk09... It was good to see Viggys name again, he was one of the guys who broke me in as a proby, John and Tom Neary, they were some pieces of work! All I ever saw was the bottoms of their boots as they went in. They were always doing stuff that left our mouths open. Did you know Capt. Freddy Gallagher and his chauffeur Tommy Dillon? They were a couple of alumni. I don't know which was better working a tour or carpooling with those guys. When I worked in 315 I would try and take the details down the hill to 275 and 126. The Queens lifers didn't like it down there to much. As I remember they wouldn't let me pay for meals, but they did let me pay for beverages, and the Chief didn't care if ya wore brown shoes. We sure did have fun huh?
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Nah 2004,.... nothing read into it in the above post, they guys I was with at 82 & 31 were the tops. I never thought anything about it being a party house, never even crossed my mind, and shouldn't cross anybody else's either. Those of us who love the job ( as one NEVER gets over it ) Like me and others, KNOW that we all need to ( take a blow ) as we used to say. It was some of the best times I ever experienced being with the Brothers there, and I wouldn't trade it away for anything.
After joining Aux's , and being assigned to E-211 in Williamsburg, I was welcomed and adopted by another "family", those members of 211 & 119. They too demonstrated the fraternity of the brotherhood to me, and I had good years there. Although I "cut my FDNY teeth" with La Casa Grande ( and was glad about that) I settled down with my company in Brooklyn. I had a really good Loo there, named Rich DiPadova. Lt. D.P. as we called him, went on to become Capt of E-33 in Manhattan, then a BN chief. I wish I could find out whatever happened to him since. If any of our fellow members remember him, I'd certainly LOVE to hear about it.
Nowadays, serving locally as the fire commissioner to a local dept., I treat our brothers with the highest respect, and make all due consideration in serving both them and our community. Since I can no longer "be on the line", I figured it would be good to use my years of experience to the benefit of those among whom I now live. Even as Commish,... it sure is good to be around the dept again, and at least present when needed.
After joining Aux's , and being assigned to E-211 in Williamsburg, I was welcomed and adopted by another "family", those members of 211 & 119. They too demonstrated the fraternity of the brotherhood to me, and I had good years there. Although I "cut my FDNY teeth" with La Casa Grande ( and was glad about that) I settled down with my company in Brooklyn. I had a really good Loo there, named Rich DiPadova. Lt. D.P. as we called him, went on to become Capt of E-33 in Manhattan, then a BN chief. I wish I could find out whatever happened to him since. If any of our fellow members remember him, I'd certainly LOVE to hear about it.
Nowadays, serving locally as the fire commissioner to a local dept., I treat our brothers with the highest respect, and make all due consideration in serving both them and our community. Since I can no longer "be on the line", I figured it would be good to use my years of experience to the benefit of those among whom I now live. Even as Commish,... it sure is good to be around the dept again, and at least present when needed.