My younger Buff years

We always hear the stories about all those busy ghetto companies from the South Bronx and the ghettoes of Brooklyn/Manhattan. But...what was the work like for slower companies in better, less-poverty-stricken neighborhoods in the city w/ all of their relocations and what-not?

Thanks,

Andy
 
"Bigandy", speaking as a buff during those days, basically EVERYBODY SAW WORK. If not relocated as second or third sections, several slower companies would interchange firehouses with the more busier companies. You'd see companies on the streets that you never knew existed.
  Don't forget, many times there'd be numerous fires in the same neighborhood with nobody to respond. So extra companies would have to be brought in just to try and cover some of the fires.
  I just read on the FDNYRANT, a story written by one of the retired FDNY members from Engine 82. He spoke of responding to a Fourth Alarm, in his first due area. He said during that same time, there were TWO Other Fourth Alarms in Engine 82s first due area. A total of Three Fourth Alarms going all at the same time, in 82s area.
  So even companies that didn't see much work in their own neighborhood, still were fighting numerous fires. It didn't really matter too much where you worked in the city. You were going to see work.
 
  I can remember one weekday when I was in Squad 2 . There were 4 sections of 73 Engine all catching a good job. We also had our own job in the squad. None of the relocators wanted to go home. There were many times when companies were told not to use the
computer in qrt's because you are the 3rd or 4th sections. On any given Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, it was not uncommon to hear the dispatcher, at the beginning of the tour, say the following units are being relocated to the boro of The Bronx. When they switched freq. they would be told to park thier rigs out in front of 82 or one of the other houses in the 6th Div. What a time to be a young pup in the ghetto. Oh, those were the days.
 
Thanks John for taking the time to tell us your story. You were there and at times so was I. But I was just on the sideline watching what I couldn't believe. Yourself and a few others on here have fought fires during the busiest time in history. And you worked in the busiest city in the world. In the beginning of the documentry titled "The Bronx is Burning", the commentator states New York has more fires than Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles....."Put Together". That pretty much explained it.
 Just about everytime I went down there, I went home and couldn't believe what I had seen. I ALWAYS caught fires. I think the most I caught in one time was 11 Jobs. But that was not Citywide. It was probadly within a few square miles. And sometimes while I was at one, I'd see smoke from another.
 Those guys really are "The Greatest Generation of Firefighters". There are guys on this site like "johnd248", "mikeindabronx" or "G-man" that I'm sure can vouch for what I say.
 I personnally saw what guys like John and a few others on this site did. Funny thing I noticed about these guys. Very few want any "pat on the back". In their view they just did what they were supposed to do. But in reality, I don't know of Anybody else who did what They did.
 
  I remember a night tour I spent riding with my father in the early 1970s like it was last night.  I was still a kid in school. My father was still a relatively new battalion chief.  He was newly assigned to the 43rd Battalion in Coney Island after spending almost two years bouncing around the city covering in just about every battalion.  Experience came fast in those days and he was glad he had a chance to work in so many busy places with some terrific firefighters.  He had an old Rand McNally city street map with tick marks locating firehouses he had worked in.  The map was covered with marks from all over the city.  I still have that map. 
  Reliefs were made early to avoid traffic and the back-to-back run activity that spiraled as afternoons dragged on.  It was about 1530 when we turned off the Belt Parkway at the Cropsey Avenue exit.  We could see two plumes of smoke rising from different locations in Coney Island.  One had thick, dark, heavy smoke pushing upward ? a good job somewhere off Mermaid Avenue.  The other smoke was the white and thin ? the dying remains of a worker closer to Seagate. 
  We turned down Neptune Avenue and did not waste time to look at the 3rd Alarm in progress off Stillwell Avenue.  We parked next to the new firehouse on W 8th St.  No surprise that it was empty.  Two cops were dragging a handcuffed teenager into the 60th Precinct next door.  Kids were walking down the sidewalk and did not even notice the cops dragging their prisoner.  It was a common sight.  We entered quarters and quickly placed turnout gear next to the empty battalion bay.  There was about a dozen pair of black low quarter shoes spread around the apparatus floor.  There were drip pans centered where E 245 and L 161 parked their rigs.  The odor of exhaust fumes lingered.  The department radio was a constant stream of box announcements and progress reports.  It was a typical afternoon.
  One of the truck guys from the incoming night shift was waiting in the kitchen.  He explained matter-of-factly that some Coney Island gangs had spent the day setting fires.  They threatened to burn each other?s blocks down.  The 9x6 shift had several good jobs but had missed the 3rd alarm because they were operating at a vacant building on Surf Avenue.  The battalion solid red station wagon pulled up and Chief Harry Dammers jumped out wearing a sweaty gray and black tee shirt and a filthy uniform hat.  He was big, burly and talkative.  That afternoon, he was quiet and appeared exhausted.  He had a content smile on his face, the kind of smile an athlete has when he has gone all out in a game and is satisfied with his efforts. 
  Chief Dammers explained that he was had changed into his last white tee shirt after lunch and gone through two other shirts earlier in the day.  He tenderly rubbed his shoulder and claimed that he had to take a door down with it because he did not have a truck company available at an earlier job.  I didn?t doubt him.  He said all his fires were suspicious, that the Fire Marshals had been requested and that he would like to have a Halligan tool and five minutes with the assholes who were burning down Mermaid Avenue.  The battalion aide arrived, Louis Massuci, as the Voice Alarm announced our first run.  It was the same address they had just operated at, a large abandoned rooming house on Surf Avenue.  L 161 was just arriving back at quarters as we pulled out.  The truck just turned their lights back on and responded down W 8th St.
  The dispatcher was still trying to locate an available engine company as we passed W 15 St., the location of the former firehouse of E 244.  The city disbanded E 244 in 1968 just as the War Years were taking off.  A third engine on Coney Island could have made a big difference during those years.  We transmitted a 10-30 when we were still 4 or 5 blocks away.  An empty apartment on the second floor was burning.  E 318 and L 166 became available and responded in.  It took 7 or 8 minutes for E 246 to arrive.  No FAST truck, no squad, no rescue, no deputy chief.  Tower ladder in operation, one line stretched.  No exposures ? just empty lots with bricks, trash, ADVs.  No cars driving down Surf Avenue towards Seagate even slowed down to look at the activity of 24 firefighters going to work.  There was not much left of the building.  This job was quick.  Then the Brooklyn dispatcher ? ?43 battalion, available??
  Our second job was a store on Mermaid Avenue.  It was actually a vacant apartment above a locked-up store.  E 245 had been special called and transmitted the 10-75.  I believe it was Captain Frank Tuttlemundo, a great guy.  A burglar alarm was ringing from the empty store.  E 254 was the 3rd engine.  Usually, most jobs on Coney Island were 2&2.  This was an ?all hands? but we only had 3 engines and two trucks.  Rescue 2 was assigned on the 3rd alarm to Coney Island boxes back then and Rescue 5 had not been reformed.  No squads.  Field Comm unavailable. No ?all-hands? chief available. Division 12, and the other near-by battalions were still operating at the 3rd alarm.  We were lucky to have the 3rd engine.
  The fire on the 2nd floor was extinguished and companies had started overhauling when the L 166 officer announced on his handi-talkie ?L 166 to 43 ? Chief I can see a fire across the empty lot on West something street ? we got another job!?
  One engine remained at the store job and everyone else moved across the empty lot to the vacant tenement.  There were flames coming from the second floor.  The tenement was unoccupied but exposures were occupied.  Kids were playing on the street in front of the fire building.  No one seemed to care about a fire in a vacant building.  Fire was a common sight.  Another 10-75.  Same units operated. 
  The tower ladder went into operation.  One line stretched and in operation.  A second line was stretched.  Then one of the members announced on his handi-talkie ?Bn43 ? there is smoke coming from one of the buildings across the street.?  Another job.
  Our aide, Louis, called the dispatcher with the location.  An engine and truck were special called.  This was 1&1 for a structure fire.  No available chief. The 43 Bn took both jobs simultaneously.  Neither fire was significant. Routine.
  On the way back to quarters, we stopped at the site of the 3rd alarm.  It was an old hotel.  A few units were still at that location.  Another 3500 Coney Island box came in.  On the boardwalk.  Louis, the battalion aide, drove past the box location, turned off the lights, drove up the ramp and rumbled along the boardwalk hoping to catch or scare the kids who pulled the box.  A false alarm. 10-92 transmitted.  Headed back to quarters.  Important decisions have to be made.
  Frequently a member was left back on runs to finish cooking the meal if one was planned.  This tour there was no time.  Pizza?  Who is in?  Pepperoni?  Sausage?  Where are we going to pick it up from?  Before we can pick up the pizzas, a couple of runs ? trash and another 10-92.  We pick up the pizza, return to quarters, and start inhaling the slices.  The voice alarm interrupts another meal.  Location is near Seagate.  L 166 transmits a 10-30 shortly after leaving quarters because of the orange glow in the sky.  A vacant bungalow is fully involved.  2&2 job.
  We had another 5 or 6 runs through the night.  Nothing significant.  Routine.  We ate a few slices of cold pizza.  It was the best pizza I ever had.  We got about 2 or 3 hours of sleep.
  My dad?s relief came in about 7:30.  There was a quick cross over.  Then we headed home. 
  I always remembered that night because it was the first time I realized and appreciated the occupation my father was in.  No rescues were made.  No one thanked any member for the work done.  No jobs made the newspapers or the local news.  But I saw the same look on the faces of the members who had worked that shift that I had seen on Chief Dammers when he finished his tour the afternoon before.  It was the look a professional has when their work is challenging and well done. 
 
mack very interesting story of times gone by....Thanks.......here is some info on the Frank Tuttlemundo the former CPT. of ENG*245 who made the Supreme Sacrifice pushing a LT. to safety in a bldg collapse as a result of a Fire on Osborn St off Pitkin Ave in B'Ville when he was a BC in BN*44 8-13-80 RIP.  
...
QUOTE by OT.
BC Frank T. Tuttlemondo Celebration
Monday, August 16, 2010 - The members of Watkins St past and present gathered in force to pay tribute to the life and career of the beloved Frank T. Tuttlemondo BC44 who made the supreme sacrifice thirty years to the day on Aug 13th, 1980. It was a remarkable turnout of "FDNY Hall of Famers" who came back home to Watkins St to honor their chief. Over 200 people were in attendance including Brooklyn Borough Commander DAC Chief James Leonard.

Captain Higgins E231 performed as master of ceremonies and interestingly noted the many changes wich have occured to the FDNY in the past 30 years and yet the core principles of Chief Tuttlemondo remain intact today. The FDNY Chaplain blessed the Tuttlemondo Medal and Lt Anthony Rich (E231) sang the National Anthem. Retired 84 year old FF Seymore Schenker proudly dressed in his Class A uniform and performed Taps for his chief and FF Kevin Scott (Ret E232) sang a wonderful rendition of Ave Maria and also gave a passionate speech thanking the current members of Watkins St and Bn44 for having the foresight to honor the chief. Captain Higgins of E231 then ordered the giant photo of Chief Tuttlemondo will proudly hang at the top of the stairs in our firehouse for all eternity. It was another memorable day in the rich history of Watkins St. BC Chief Frank Tuttlemondo will live in our hearts and his presence will be felt on Watkins St each and every day forever.

For photos of the celebration, please see the "image gallery". There wil be more to come in the coming weeks as we recieve them.




A Message From The Captain:
Saturday, August 14, 2010 - To my Watkins St family, I just wanted to comment on yesterday's ceremony remembering BC Frank Tuttlemondo. To our former members, you graced us with your presence, thank you. To the recently promoted guys, nice to see you back. To the current members of both Engine 231 & Ladder 120, your efforts were wonderful. Both I and Capt Bobby Higgins are very proud that this event occured under our command. BUT, it wasn't possible without your hard work. There are only a handful of special Firehouses on our job, we are fortunte to be one of them. It was a GREAT gathering and a memorable day in the storied history of "Watkins St".

Capt John Calamari
Tower Ladder 120

CLICK FOR MORE BROWNSVILLE HISTORY



Read more: http://fdnysforgotten.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=4345#ixzz16vtOr9V0                   UN   QUOTE........PS also check out their excellent websitehttp://watkinsst.com
 
After '74... RES*2 responded on the 10-75 thruout the BORO (no RES*5 for another 10 years)........plenty of memorable jobs in CONEY ISLAND thru my years in R*2.....some in some famous boardwalk establishments too....we gave "The Witch" a new home on our kitchen wall after her place burned down .....also some memorable jobs in Seagate Queen Annes especially on a windy night ........the duplex & triplex apartment projects also provided some tough ones......a Member of R*2 lived in a hi-rise there.....one day as we were turning out for a job in C.I. ......the LT. slid the pole & yelled to him... " I got good news & bad news.....the good news ..were going to a job........the bads news ..its in your bldg.".........(he lived several floors below the Fire). .......i was down there on this Veterans Day '10 to visit a Nursing Home & took a ride around after....it is too bad that in bloombags restoration plan for the boardwalk he is eliminating a lot of the classic concessions (like "shoot the freak"...& other bizzare ones & some traditional food places.... he wants to yuppify /trendyzoid the place.....i doubt it will be the same.
 
68jk09 said:
it is too bad that in bloombags restoration plan for the boardwalk he is eliminating a lot of the classic concessions (like "shoot the freak"...& other bizzare ones & some traditional food places.... he wants to yuppify /trendyzoid the place.....i doubt it will be the same.
Click to expand...
look at what bloomburg did to northern BK with all the hipsters
 
Thank you for providing those Excellent Coney Island Stories. During those very busy years, those C.I. companies caught their share of work. Streets like Surf Ave, Neptune Ave, Mermaid Ave were familiar sounds over the scanners. It was a very busy area. I regrete that I always seem to leave it out whenever I talk about "My Younger Buff Years".
 The Great Firefighters like "Macks" father and all the others, including Chief "68jk09", that fought the fires of Coney Island saw PLENTY of Work. I just feel bad that I never give them the credit they rightfully deserve.
 And "Mack", what a Great Story !!! "THANK YOU".
 
This was the 3rd firehouse on Coney Island - E244 - W 15 St - 1st due at Nathans.  Disbanded in 1968.

 
Yes, I remember going to Coney Island in the mid-60's and seeing E244's old 1951 Ward LaFrance. I heard that  they swapped rigs with E248.
 
Sorry about taking the thread back to the Bx war years. Was L59 created when the tin house on Boston Rd opened? Was L59 formed from TCU712 or did they both run in at that area? Was E45 a single engine before the formation of L58? And when was L58 formed? You guys always come through with answers to these questions and as NFD knows I am really interested in the history of this area especially during the war years.
 
Ladder 59 was formed from disbanded TCU 712 on 11-24-72. Ladder 58 was formed from second section of Ladder 27 on 8-10-68, relocated to quarters of B-18 on 5-15-74. Cannot help on E-45 ;D
 
Brian, Engine 45 was a single house. A new house was built along side the old house which was to be for Engine 45 and a newly formed Ladder 60. Ladder 60 was never formed, Engine 45 stayed in the old house and Ladder 58 and Squad 1 were moved over from the old 46/27 house on E. 176 St and Park Ave into the new house on E. Tremont Ave. I'm sure that had to do with the city's budget crises during that time period.
 
Thanks for the answers guys. Seems 46/27 moved quite a distance from their old house on E176 and Park to their current location.
 
I was just back in N.Y.C. for 'a cup of coffee' this week. I stayed in Brooklyn at the home of a friend who also was my Lieutenant in the early 1980's. We went to Nathans in Coney Island for a quick bite ... The dogs and the fries were as good as I remembered and then we went to The Brooklyn Wall of remembrance. It really is a beautiful memorial to all the first responders who were killed on September 11th, 2001. Having moved to Florida in 2003, I don't get back to 'The City' very often, when I do, things like this bring a lot of memories flooding right back.

The stop at Nathan's reminded me that the last time I was there was 1995 after we completed operations at a dive job. We had responded to Coney Island from Manhattan as the regularly assigned Rescue was at a fire. Our Captain had the chauffeur drive the rig to Nathan's and he bought us dinner.
 
kidfrmqns said:
You guys always come through with answers to these questions and as NFD knows I am really interested in the history of this area especially during the war years.
Click to expand...

  Brian, yes, you can pretty much get any answer to any question on the FDNY, whether it be the War Years 40 years ago, or what new rigs are coming in tomorrow. I also learn something all the time. As a matter of fact, I always thought that Squad 2 was assigned to Eng 73/Lad 42s Qtrs. I just found out that was not the case (from JBendick) who worked that unit. He told me they would go to other firehouses as well.
  And Garrett (69mets), glad to hear that you got up to NYC. We wondered where you had been. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. We all know there's only "ONE" New York City. Nothing else like it. Hope you got to the company reunion at 75/33, and visited Rescue 3s new quarters. (I was supposed to be the "Guest Speaker" but had other prior commitments). Anyway, Glad everything went well for ALL you guys.
  Just one more thing, can you tell us where the Brooklyn Memorial is that you referred to ? Some of us may want to visit it.
 
 
69 METS said:
Here's the website for The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Bill:

http://brooklynwall.org/index.htm
Click to expand...

  Thanks very much Garrett for posting this. The video certainly tells a story. And as one speaker put it, "I will NEVER Forget".

  I plan to visit that Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance with my wife this spring.

  Thank you.
 
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