My younger Buff years

[nfd2004]

As I think about it now, I probadly gave this thread the Wrong title. Maybe what it should have been called is "OUR" Younger Buff Years, instead of "MY" Younger Buff Years. I say that because most of the time that I went down buffing, I usually went down with one or two friends. "We" got to see the Busiest and Best firefighters in the World in action. We all learned from watching these guys. Whether it was stretching the lines into those buildings, or seeing that roofman climb the aerial to do what needs to be done.

  We learned what it takes to have a highly coordinated attack while listening to the handie talkie messages. We saw the results of ventilation and a quick agressive attack. We saw people rescued from fires and alive because of what these very Brave Firefighters did. Yes, "WE" learned from the very BEST. And because of that, everyone of us were able to put what we learned to work. We all became fulltime career firefighters. And we still get together once in awhile and talk about those very busy years that some of us started in the late 60s and some joined in as the busy 1980s approached.

  I'd like to pass on the names of everyone of those guys, and what they are doing today.

      First, my brother George......Retired Battalion Chief....Bridgeport (Ct) Fire Dept
      Bill Bernhard......Former NYC Fire Patrol 1, Retired Firefighter .....Bridgeport, Ct
      Jim Sanquedice......Retired Firefighter....Bridgeport, Ct
      Zack Herman.....Firefighter.....Bridgeport, Ct (although I haven't seen Zack in awhile)
      Scott Lindy.....Firefighter......Pequonock Bridge/Groton, Ct
      Mike Lindy......Firefighter....FDNY Special Ops. (although I haven't seen Mike in awhile)
      Jeff Rheame.....Lt....New London (Ct) Fire Dept.

  Everyone of these guys got their start from watching the FDNY in action. We all want to thank any member who took the time out to explain to us just how the FDNY fought the fires, or any questions we might have had. One thing for sure that all of us agree on to this day, is that we learned from "THE BEST". No books and no other fire dept taught us so much. We also saw social problems and how it affects the fire dept. In fact, it was an education you couldn't get from a book. And it was an experience that probadly will never be repeated again in our lifetime.
 

 

[nfd2004]

  It was my 21st Birthday and my buddy and I had been celebrating in Manhatten. Around 2-3 AM we made our way over to Eng 82/Lad 31s Qtrs. It was right around the time "Report from Eng 82" had come out. Of course we were a little "under the weather" but the apparatus doors were open and we walked in. We were surprised to see all the rigs in Qtrs because they were so busy at the time. We got invited in and next thing we know is we were sitting having a great 3 AM dinner meal of Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes etc. Of course we didn"t know anybody there, but they treated us GREAT. As we got into the meal, the bells started to ring. House Watch yelled "Second Alarm ......". My buddy and I wanted to go. But the guys suggested we stay around. Anyway, Housewatch yelled "Engine on the Third, Truck on the Fourth". You guessed it. The fire went to a Fourth Alarm. I rode the Engine and my buddy rode the truck.
  Two intoxicated 21 year old males stumble into the firehouse and the guys ended up treating us like Kings. All they knew about us was that it was my birthday, we were from Connecticut, and wanted to become firemen. We ended up getting home in Bridgeport, Ct about noon time the next day. We were both exhausted, smelled of smoke, and had a Hang over. BUT what a Great 21st Birthday it was.
  Of course things like this could not be done today. But what a Great time to grow up and be a buff (War Years), or on the job.
  I have a few more stories I"d like to share about being a buff in the busy FDNY War Years. As time permits, if it"s okay, I"ll add them to this forum.

  It all started on April 26, 2009. I had been writing a few of my buff stories to a guy who I believe was a reader here and had asked for a fire dept patch. He had said that he was confined to a wheel chair and was a big fan of th FDNY. I felt bad because I didn't have any patches to give him. But I told him that I would send him a few stories of my younger days when I chased fires with the FDNY during their very busy 1970s and 80s. Then I thought well if he might be interested, maybe a few others on here would also be interested. So began the thread of "My Younger Buff Years".

  Today I happened to notice that the thread has been viewed over 100,000 times. And as the stories went on, others began to add to it. They added their own stories, they added photos, and videos. Buffs from back in those days and even guys that were a part of it started to add their very own stories to it. It was a time in the history of the fire service that we probadly will never see again. Today this stands as probadly one of the best history lessons out there on the FDNY during their very busy so called War Years. For all those that took the time to tell their stories, you made this what it is today. There is just no way one person could have told these stories by themself.

  Along the way, many of us actually became friends. People from across the country, and maybe even the world, began to share their same interest in what I consider to be, the Best and Busiest Fire Department in the World. Active and Retired members of the FDNY, members of other fire departments, and buffs from all walks of life have shared their stories. Those that maybe weren't around during those busy years, got a feel of what it was like and just how busy things were.

  And none of this would have ever happened if it wasn't for site owner Tommy Bendick, himself a member of the FDNY. And Tommy has never asked for a dime from any of us. I think I speak for most of us when I say; "Thanks very much Tom, we really appreciate what you've done for us". Whether its buff stories, the work FDNY does, the latest FDNY apparatus, or any questions that anybody might have regarding the FDNY, it can be found on this site.

  So first, Thanks Tom for giving all of us this Great web site. And then I would like to Thank all those who helped to make "My Younger Buff Years" the success story it is today.

 

[*******]

Thank you Bill. I can only speak for myself. The "war years" took a heavy toll not just on the members of the FDNY, but on the city itself. The buildings destroyed in the Bronx at that time would have stood and been home for thousands for many more years. Charlotte Street back in the 50's was considered one of the most populated areas in the world with its 7 story tenements and multiple families in apartments. The men took a beating. I was assigned to 82 engine as Captain on 9/1/73. I replaced Captain Al Grey who had been promoted to Battalion Chief. Dennis Smith in his book referred to Grey as, I believe, Captain Albergrey. Within a year BC Grey had a heart attack and retired. Three other members written about in 82 extensively were Bill Kelly, Vinny Joyce and Willie Doyle, with ficticious names. Kelly and Joyce died within a year or two after retirement, heart and cancer and Willie was found dead from a heart attack in his bunk in 82's qtrs, also from a heart attack. There never should have been a war. As I've written before. The busy box in 50 engine when I was there was 2323, Cauldwell and 160. We had 17 all hands or higher at this one box August 1972. The busy box in 82 was 2743, Charlotte and 170. History has shown what happened there. The city never would have allowed 17 all hands or better August 1972 at Park Avenue and 60th Street, Manhattan. The city never would have allowed the area of 1st Avenue and 70 Street to become Charlotte and 170. Why did they allow 2323 and 2743 to happen?

 

[nfd2004]

Thank you Bill. I can only speak for myself. The "war years" took a heavy toll not just on the members of the FDNY, but on the city itself. The buildings destroyed in the Bronx at that time would have stood and been home for thousands for many more years. Charlotte Street back in the 50's was considered one of the most populated areas in the world with its 7 story tenements and multiple families in apartments. The men took a beating. I was assigned to 82 engine as Captain on 9/1/73. I replaced Captain Al Grey who had been promoted to Battalion Chief. Dennis Smith in his book referred to Grey as, I believe, Captain Albergrey. Within a year BC Grey had a heart attack and retired. Three other members written about in 82 extensively were Bill Kelly, Vinny Joyce and Willie Doyle, with ficticious names. Kelly and Joyce died within a year or two after retirement, heart and cancer and Willie was found dead from a heart attack in his bunk in 82's qtrs, also from a heart attack. There never should have been a war. As I've written before. The busy box in 50 engine when I was there was 2323, Cauldwell and 160. We had 17 all hands or higher at this one box August 1972. The busy box in 82 was 2743, Charlotte and 170. History has shown what happened there. The city never would have allowed 17 all hands or better August 1972 at Park Avenue and 60th Street, Manhattan. The city never would have allowed the area of 1st Avenue and 70 Street to become Charlotte and 170. Why did they allow 2323 and 2743 to happen?

  Thanks very much Chief. Quite honestly, there's only a few on here that were a part of it as you were. I'm very sure its safe to say that you, along with your Brothers of the FDNYs Greatest Generation, have earned the highst respect from everyone who has ever read these stories.

  As you have pointed out to me in the past and to others on here, there were good times and bad times. You saw the loss of some of your good friends and Brother Firefighters as the result of this chaos that probadly should never have happened in the first place. You saw buildings that survived a hundred years, that were built brick by brick, be destroyed in a matter of months. They probadly would have easily have stood there another hundred years, if it wasn't for all the fires. You saw the poor loose the only few possions they had. Yet the people you were trying to help were sometimes very hostile to you.

  I had two reasons to start this thread. One....because I wanted to tell the story of a time that was the busiest time in history for ANY fire dept. No one ever saw the huge amount of fire like that. And thankfully, we haven't seen anytime like that since.

  My number Two reason why I wanted to talk about this is to give credit to a generation of firefighters that put themselves in danger every single day when they went to work. And the countless thousands of people that were saved during this War by the members of the FDNY. People outside this War Zone had no idea of what was going on every day. They really had no idea of how those dedicated Firefighters were risking their lives for others, as just a routine way of life.

  I will never forget, what I saw. I saw miles of burned out buildings, that were only a few miles to Americas Home of the Rich and Famous. I saw poverty at its worst level, that had been compared to a Third World Country. And most importantly, I saw Firefighters that never gave up or let those people down.

  No need to Thank me Chief. You and your Brother Firefighters are the one's we really need to Thank. And we need to remember those who we have lost because of the type of work they did. Their families and friends paid a very steep price for that. Thank You and May they all Rest in Peace.

 

 

[CFDMarshal]

If we really stop to read what the chief has written it brings it all in perspective. I often refer to shifts that myself or other brother firefighters worked as a shift of blowing horns and burning fuel. Translation: A whole lot of nothing! My son in law is on a busy engine company in DeKalb County, GA which will make 17 runs in a 24 hr shift. He has had two working fires this year.

17 10-75's or greater at one box, Chief I am happy that you are still here to share. My hat is off to all that served in the day!

 

[Bronx72]

Having no experience buffing fires in New York until recently, and before this terrific website came along, I was fascinated by Dennis Smith's book.  He made Engine 82 into an icon, but I've always wondered about the the other busy companies in The Bronx and the other Boroughs and the boxes they ran to constantly.  Engine 50 and Box 2323 have now been mentioned.  Guitarman listed some boxes that 60 and 83 worked frequently earlier in this thread.  What are some others?

 

[grumpy grizzly]

TCU Units, such as 712 and 713. Worked afternoon until late evening, very busy/

 

[chiefblackcloud]

Box 2723

Walton Ave & East Clarke Pl.

One of the busiest Bronx boxes in the 80's and early 90's.

 

[Bxboro]

Yes...2723 very busy area back in the day. Any of the FDNY guys here ever catch work at 50 E 168 St. ? (I believe it was the old Morrisania Hospital) Very large vacant building back in the 70's and 80's.

 

[Atlas]

Some famous BRONX boxes - 2180 - Beekman Ave & Oak Ter for E-83, 2252 - brook & Westchester for E-41, 2259 - leggetAve & Ave St John for E-73, 2265- Westchester & Eagle for E-73,  2295 - Hegney pl & Carr St for E71,2342 - Eagle & 161 upper level for E50,  2370 - Hunts Point & Garrison for E94, The list can go on & on! But one thing for sure THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIEND!

 

[mikeindabronx]

Some famous BRONX boxes - 2180 - Beekman Ave & Oak Ter for E-83, 2252 - brook & Westchester for E-41, 2259 - leggetAve & Ave St John for E-73, 2265- Westchester & Eagle for E-73,  2295 - Hegney pl & Carr St for E71,2342 - Eagle & 161 upper level for E50,  2370 - Hunts Point & Garrison for E94, The list can go on & on! But one thing for sure THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIEND!

Yes they were,pulling up with my camera,fire out 50 windows & no company's available

 

[nap72]

This has to be the most famous box.

2743 - Charlotte & 170

It's got its own picture on the web!!!

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=119&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1463&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=ojF4l_8bicOtfM:&imgrefurl=http://www.firehouse.com/forums/showthread.php%3F67365-Report-from-engine-company-82-question&docid=VmfCSAd9WwbJVM&imgurl=http://www.firehouse.com/forums/attachment.php%253Fattachmentid%253D6076%2526stc%253D1%2526d%253D1109873920&w=400&h=287&ei=LMJbT-jWEYLw0gHfwuRM&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=285&sig=110527944681166052594&page=6&tbnh=141&tbnw=198&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:119&tx=84&ty=53

 

[guitarman314]

Having no experience buffing fires in New York until recently, and before this terrific website came along, I was fascinated by Dennis Smith's book.  He made Engine 82 into an icon, but I've always wondered about the the other busy companies in The Bronx and the other Boroughs and the boxes they ran to constantly.  Engine 50 and Box 2323 have now been mentioned.  Guitarman listed some boxes that 60 and 83 worked frequently earlier in this thread.  What are some others?

  Thanks to John Bendick I have "War Years" assignment cards (1969-1975) for most of those boxes which I can post if you so desire.   Sorry, just noticed I have most but don't have 2743

 

[fdny1075k]

I would say that Box 2743 is probably the most notoriously famous. So many false alarms and fires back in the day! It was also mentioned the most in Report from Engine Co. 82.

Here's a YouTube video that mentions it: When the Bronx Was Burning: Firefighter John Finucane on the Bronx of the 1970's

By the way, guitarman314, that would be great!

 

[*******]

If I remember right box 2323 the assignment then was 50-1, 50-2, 73, 19,42, B55, D6. For 2743 it was 82, 85, 45, 31, 59, B27, D9.

 

[svd385]

A few that I remember as being busy were

2366 SENECA AV LONGFELLOW AV
2258 LEGGETT AV FOX ST
2187 CRIMMINS AV ST MARY'S ST
2420 SPOFFORD AV FAILE ST
2421 SPOFFORD AV MANIDA ST
2508 HOE AV ALDUS ST
2597 HOE AV HOME ST
2729 STEBBINS AV FREEMAN ST
2970 MARMION AV ELSMERE PL

Then again during the late 60's and 70's it might be easier to find and name boxes that weren't busy!  How the firefighters and dispatchers kept what little sanity they had was amazing!

 

[guitarman314]

If I remember right box 2323 the assignment then was 50-1, 50-2, 73, 19,42, B55, D6. For 2743 it was 82, 85, 45, 31, 59, B27, D9.

 

 

[guitarman314]

Some famous BRONX boxes - 2180 - Beekman Ave & Oak Ter for E-83, 2252 - brook & Westchester for E-41, 2259 - leggetAve & Ave St John for E-73, 2265- Westchester & Eagle for E-73,  2295 - Hegney pl & Carr St for E71,2342 - Eagle & 161 upper level for E50,  2370 - Hunts Point & Garrison for E94, The list can go on & on! But one thing for sure THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIEND!

Yes, 2180 @Beekman Ave. & Oak Terrace along with nearby box 2172 @Crimmins & 141st St. were action-packed. 

 

[guitarman314]

Some famous BRONX boxes - 2180 - Beekman Ave & Oak Ter for E-83, 2252 - brook & Westchester for E-41, 2259 - leggetAve & Ave St John for E-73, 2265- Westchester & Eagle for E-73,  2295 - Hegney pl & Carr St for E71,2342 - Eagle & 161 upper level for E50,  2370 - Hunts Point & Garrison for E94, The list can go on & on! But one thing for sure THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIEND!

The area between 2252 & 2295 is a vast prairie wasteland today and most of the buildings at Eagle & Westchester are gone today.

 

[guitarman314]

TCU Units, such as 712 and 713. Worked afternoon until late evening, very busy/

  Here's  a couple of versions including a TCU card for box 2503: