My younger Buff years
- Thread starter nfd2004
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The last photo on page 12 showing one of many multiple alarm jobs at 500 Southern Blvd. really hit home with me. I used to be able to see plumes of smoke from those fires when I worked in an office in the penthouse of the Bronx general post office across town at 149th & Grand Concourse. BTW, 500 Southern Blvd. has been renovated and re-occupied for a while. 
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I can remember if I was down with 73/42 & BN 55 and 2214 came in everybody would say it must be 500 Southern Blvd. I remember one time TL-117 & TL-14 were working on the Timpson Pl. side. I stopped by there about 3 weeks ago and as G-man said it's been renovated and looks pretty good from the outside.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=490+Southern+Boulevard,+New+York,+NY&sll=40.841757,-73.876066&sspn=0.017077,0.045104&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=490+Southern+Blvd,+Bronx,+New+York+10455&t=h&z=16
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=490+Southern+Boulevard,+New+York,+NY&sll=40.841757,-73.876066&sspn=0.017077,0.045104&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=490+Southern+Blvd,+Bronx,+New+York+10455&t=h&z=16
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mikeindabronx,
Thanks for the newest page. Each page seems to be another chapter in the FDNY's history. You have provided us with a personal glimpse at a truly remarkable time.
Those days (and some of the guys) may be gone, but you help us all to remember.
Jim Boyle (aka 1261truckie)
Thanks for the newest page. Each page seems to be another chapter in the FDNY's history. You have provided us with a personal glimpse at a truly remarkable time.
Those days (and some of the guys) may be gone, but you help us all to remember.
Jim Boyle (aka 1261truckie)
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I am very happy to know that the photos are so well received. I have many memories of taking these pictures and I know they can't compare with what it was like on the other side of the lens. I enjoy sharing these memories and will continue to do so. Thanks very much to all of you.
Mike
Mike
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Yes, and Rev. Polite Ave. is Stebbins Ave.kidfrmqns said:
mikeindabronx said:
Thanks for keeping 'the old days' alive for those of us who are no longer able to 'play'. As far as "what it was like on the other side of the lens" ... It was a tremendous experience, an adrenalin rush that beat all adrenalin rushes ... coupled with working among the greatest Firemen in the world .... Something that could NEVER be matched, let alone beat.
I had a friend who I grew up with. His father and my father worked on the job in Bridgeport together. This guy was also into the fire dept. He would buff the FDNY pretty regular with my brother and I. He later got on the Fire Patrol (I think Patrol 1) and became an Auxiliary with Engine 83. When we used to buff, I would say to him, "which area do you want to hang out in 82, or 83". Both were very busy companies. Streets like Cypruss Ave, St Ann's, and Brook were all catching jobs daily. And of course further north like Stebbins Ave, Tinton, Fox, and World Famous Charolette St were also getting daily jobs. So it was a "toss up" on which area we went to.
I was talking with "Capnkeys" (George G.) recently and he made a very good point. He has a relative that worked 83/29 then. He said if Dennis Smith had worked at 83/29 instead of 82/31 he probadly would have called his book; "REPORT from Engine 83. Both Engines were doing a Huge amount of Fire Duty. In fact, it could have been any South Bronx Company in those days. Or East NY, Bed Sty, Bushwick, Lower East Side or Harlem Company.
Actually, it didn't matter if we hung out with 82 or 83, 41, 45, 50, 60, 71,73, or took a little trip to Brooklyns 209 (RIP), 231, 234, 277, 290, or many others. On a Busy Night, it was all the same thing. Lots of fires and not enough companies to deal with it.
I was talking with "Capnkeys" (George G.) recently and he made a very good point. He has a relative that worked 83/29 then. He said if Dennis Smith had worked at 83/29 instead of 82/31 he probadly would have called his book; "REPORT from Engine 83. Both Engines were doing a Huge amount of Fire Duty. In fact, it could have been any South Bronx Company in those days. Or East NY, Bed Sty, Bushwick, Lower East Side or Harlem Company.
Actually, it didn't matter if we hung out with 82 or 83, 41, 45, 50, 60, 71,73, or took a little trip to Brooklyns 209 (RIP), 231, 234, 277, 290, or many others. On a Busy Night, it was all the same thing. Lots of fires and not enough companies to deal with it.
68jk09 said:
Sorry there Chief. My mistake. I'll delete my post.
And "3511" you are right, 46, 88, 94 all were up there also with Runs and Workers during the War Years in the Bronx. Yes, it could have been "Report from Engine 46" if Dennis Smith had worked there instead of Eng 82. I'd say, everything South of Fordham Rd, Excluding a few square blocks around 88, with Webster Ave to the West and Bruckner Blvd to the East was burning.
Same thing for many parts of Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Lower East Side. How's "Report from Engine 28" sound, or "Report from Engine 231" ?
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Around the spring of 1990 I had the priviledge of being invited to ride with Engine 17 on Pitt St. for the first time. My good friend Lt. Mike Lopez (Ret.) was a fireman on Tower Ladder 18 at the time. I arrived in the evening just after the change of tours. Mike introduced me to the Lt. and he said I could ride in the rear facing seat behind the chaffeur. In the area I was sitting, someone's gear (3/4 boots,coat, helmet etc.) was stuffed on the engine cover and I asked about it and the Lt. said it belonged to one of the members that just got off duty. He said, "just leave it there". Right after that, a run came in and I didn't get a chance to meet or chat with anyone else on the Engine and off we went. I said hello to the fireman (I think his name was John) sitting across from me and he said hello back.
During this time period I remember some the fellas in the FDNY wearing "FR" Rubin Bros. dungarees and blue company t-shirts or the collared Rubin Bros. polo shirts. While riding on Engine 17, I was wearing jeans, a blue t-shirt from my Dept and a blue work jacket and I had someone's fire gear sitting near me...you can probably imagine where this is going.
After about 3 back-to-back runs I noticed other firemen and "John" were congregated in front of the building we were at, they were talking to each other, while looking and pointing at me. I just stayed in Engine 17 and kept quiet. When John got back in the rig I said, "nothing much to it ?" John said, "if you would get your ass off the rig and join us you might find out !" I said, "I'm sorry, this is my first time riding along and I thought I'm supposed to stay here". He looked at me with a very puzzled look and asked, "are you on the job". I said, "no, not in this Dept. I work in Va. Beach and Mike on Ladder 18 is a friend of mine" He started laughing and said "Oh man, I'm so sorry". Now I gave him the same puzzled look and wondered what was going on. John told me the other firemen came up to him after the third run and said "who's that !*%$@ guy sitting in the rig" and John told them he had no idea and said "that's gotta be the laziest *$%&^ detail we ever got in here !!! He doesn't even get off the rig !!! "
John and I busted out laughing and after everything was explained to the other members on Engine 17 much more laughter broke out. I'll finish the story by saying John took a "little" heat the rest of the evening for not having a clue who he was sitting across from.
During this time period I remember some the fellas in the FDNY wearing "FR" Rubin Bros. dungarees and blue company t-shirts or the collared Rubin Bros. polo shirts. While riding on Engine 17, I was wearing jeans, a blue t-shirt from my Dept and a blue work jacket and I had someone's fire gear sitting near me...you can probably imagine where this is going.
After about 3 back-to-back runs I noticed other firemen and "John" were congregated in front of the building we were at, they were talking to each other, while looking and pointing at me. I just stayed in Engine 17 and kept quiet. When John got back in the rig I said, "nothing much to it ?" John said, "if you would get your ass off the rig and join us you might find out !" I said, "I'm sorry, this is my first time riding along and I thought I'm supposed to stay here". He looked at me with a very puzzled look and asked, "are you on the job". I said, "no, not in this Dept. I work in Va. Beach and Mike on Ladder 18 is a friend of mine" He started laughing and said "Oh man, I'm so sorry". Now I gave him the same puzzled look and wondered what was going on. John told me the other firemen came up to him after the third run and said "who's that !*%$@ guy sitting in the rig" and John told them he had no idea and said "that's gotta be the laziest *$%&^ detail we ever got in here !!! He doesn't even get off the rig !!! "
John and I busted out laughing and after everything was explained to the other members on Engine 17 much more laughter broke out. I'll finish the story by saying John took a "little" heat the rest of the evening for not having a clue who he was sitting across from.
vbcapt said:
DeanO, that's a Great Story. Thank you. I could just picture that happening. I also rode with several FDNY companies over the years. As I remember they were Engine 82, 92, and 41 (now Squad 41). And in Brooklyn Engine 290, and Ladder 176. And of course my first ride back in 1968 with Rescue 2 and Lt Hamilton. He's gone now, but I'm very Thankful to him and all the other members that always treated me "Excellent" in these very busy companies. I'll Never forget those days. I considered it similiar to playing ball with the Major Leagues. It was an "Experience of a Lifetime".
Or any company from East Harlem.
In the Spring of 1968 I first brought some college chums from upstate to my hometown, New York, NY. These guys were from various places around the USA,...rich kid from Virginia, steel worker son from Pittsburgh, farmer from Iowa, etc..you get the picture.
I had a buddy working in 91-2 who invited us down whenever in town. We always arrived carrying a case or two of Budweiser. We were instructed to grab turnouts that fit off the rack and put them on the rig. When the bells rang, just follow the guys, they'd tell us what to do.
And did the bells ring. Constantly. Didn't matter which section was "up front" on a given night, we rolled continuously between 6:30 PM and midnight. Didn't bother with supper till after then.
Initially, 91-2 had an old Ward LaFrance CD rig. We'd squeeze onto the back step, elbow thru the subway strap, bouncing through Harlem. Keep your knees loose or you'd bounce off the rig. Maybe sometimes have to put someone to ride on top of the hose bed. A long ride to box 1237, 5th Ave and 96th street, 91's last box south, or over the bridge to relocate at E60 (and more work). And took quite a bit of "incoming " from the roof tops along the way.
At a worker, we'd hump hose up the stairwells. That's how we earned our keep as guests. The brothers needed the help and we were glad to oblige. Back to the house for a quick brew and out again. Midnight supper and then the card games began. By 2 AM, things were quiet and all grabbed a few hours sleep. Seems like there was always a run on Pleasant Ave about 6:30 AM.
We got to leave at the tour change but the brothers came back and did it again the next night. God bless 'em all.
After all these years my chums (who have lived all over the world since) still ask about the guys on 91-2, 91-1, and Hook & Ladder 43.
In the Spring of 1968 I first brought some college chums from upstate to my hometown, New York, NY. These guys were from various places around the USA,...rich kid from Virginia, steel worker son from Pittsburgh, farmer from Iowa, etc..you get the picture.
I had a buddy working in 91-2 who invited us down whenever in town. We always arrived carrying a case or two of Budweiser. We were instructed to grab turnouts that fit off the rack and put them on the rig. When the bells rang, just follow the guys, they'd tell us what to do.
And did the bells ring. Constantly. Didn't matter which section was "up front" on a given night, we rolled continuously between 6:30 PM and midnight. Didn't bother with supper till after then.
Initially, 91-2 had an old Ward LaFrance CD rig. We'd squeeze onto the back step, elbow thru the subway strap, bouncing through Harlem. Keep your knees loose or you'd bounce off the rig. Maybe sometimes have to put someone to ride on top of the hose bed. A long ride to box 1237, 5th Ave and 96th street, 91's last box south, or over the bridge to relocate at E60 (and more work). And took quite a bit of "incoming " from the roof tops along the way.
At a worker, we'd hump hose up the stairwells. That's how we earned our keep as guests. The brothers needed the help and we were glad to oblige. Back to the house for a quick brew and out again. Midnight supper and then the card games began. By 2 AM, things were quiet and all grabbed a few hours sleep. Seems like there was always a run on Pleasant Ave about 6:30 AM.
We got to leave at the tour change but the brothers came back and did it again the next night. God bless 'em all.
After all these years my chums (who have lived all over the world since) still ask about the guys on 91-2, 91-1, and Hook & Ladder 43.