My younger Buff years

[nfd2004]

I think we are due for another short story from "My Younger Buff Years". I got an E-mail from a friend of mine after sending him a picture of a burned out ADV sitting next to a burned out brick M.D. in the South Bronx from those busy War Years. He is also a retired firefighter, and a buff from Connecticut. Both of us spent some time in the neighborhood buffing together. But I just want to pass on what he wrote me. If you were there during those years, I think you'll be able to relate.

  (Quote) Willy, can't you almost smell that burning rubber (referring to the picture I sent him). A 1972 Seagrave rearmount, with phone booth on the side, taking in an All Hands on Walton Ave. As it accellerates, the little clapper on the top of the straight pipe exhaust is flapping and you could distinctly hear that familiar Geeeeerrrr of the exhaust and the automatic tranney shifting from 1st to 2nd...3rd.

  Oh man, those were the days. I wish I could turn back the hands of time for a week. I know where I would be.

  By the way, is that Billy B in the background taking a whiz ? (Quote)

  These are not my words, but the words of my friend Jerry K who also buffed the FDNY during those years. For those who were around then, you'll understand exactly what he's talking about. Yes, Gerry and I were firefighters too. But we knew where to go if we wanted to learn from the Best.

 

[fdny1075k]

I think we are due for another short story from "My Younger Buff Years". I got an E-mail from a friend of mine after sending him a picture of a burned out ADV sitting next to a burned out brick M.D. in the South Bronx from those busy War Years. He is also a retired firefighter, and a buff from Connecticut. Both of us spent some time in the neighborhood buffing together. But I just want to pass on what he wrote me. If you were there during those years, I think you'll be able to relate.

  (Quote) Willy, can't you almost smell that burning rubber (referring to the picture I sent him). A 1972 Seagrave rearmount, with phone booth on the side, taking in an All Hands on Walton Ave. As it accellerates, the little clapper on the top of the straight pipe exhaust is flapping and you could distinctly hear that familiar Geeeeerrrr of the exhaust and the automatic tranney shifting from 1st to 2nd...3rd.

  Oh man, those were the days. I wish I could turn back the hands of time for a week. I know where I would be.

  By the way, is that Billy B in the background taking a whiz ? (Quote)

  These are not my words, but the words of my friend Jerry K who also buffed the FDNY during those years. For those who were around then, you'll understand exactly what he's talking about. Yes, Gerry and I were firefighters too. But we knew where to go if we wanted to learn from the Best.

Willy, I think I was born 40 years too late.

 

[mack]

Many times a Chief and his aide would show up on a working fire. He would ask, "who do we have coming in here" ? Sometimes the annswer from the dispatcher would be, "Chief right now just you and Engine.....". "We don't have a Truck, but we'll try to get you one". With that, the chief and his aide would become part of the firefighting team. Many times these chiefs couldn't stand in the street and direct the operations. In cases like this, the Chief and his aide became the forcible entry team. Hard to believe today but that's the way it often was then. And maybe, a truck would get freed up and be able to take it in later. Not from a first or second due area, but from another division. The chiefs never knew who they had coming in.

  "Mack" and I discussed this type of thing on a recent visit to his house. In "macks" case, he rode the Coney Island Companies. Macks father was a Battalion Chief there.  Streets like Surf Ave, Mermaid Ave were regularly heard over my scanner at home for jobs. That Coney Island area was a very busy place. Mack tells me of one story where it was shift change at 1800 hours. One chief relieved the other. The one that worked the Day shift was covered in soot. He told the oncoming chief that it was a pretty busy day, and it could be a tough night. I'm sure it was. What would be a Second or Third alarm today, would then be maybe a good all hands. And there was no FAST CO coming in. If they got 3 and 2 to come in, they were doing pretty good.

  Of course I spent most of my time in the Bronx or Harlem at the time. Guys like "mack", "Johnd..", and a few others were in the streets of Brooklyn. It was basically the same story. Just try to get enough companies in on a good job was a nightmare for even the most seasoned dispatchers.

  Mack and I talked a few stories together. But its so hard to explain just how busy things were then. For those of us that were around for it, I guess you could say we were the lucky ones. But it still amazes me how these guys did it. They sometimes went from job to job. And those dispatchers certainly earned their pay. Phones ringing, bells coming in and the constant beeping of those ERS Boxes being activitated that had to be answered. And if nobody has told you yet, Great Job there guys. Just a little overdue on the pat on the back.

Bill and I had some good discussions.  The night Bill referred was about 1973.  It was maybe 1600 hrs - you could see a few plumes of Coney Island smoke driving in.  Jobs in progress.  The new W 8 St firehouse was vacant but lots of empty shoes indicated relocating companies were working.  The 43 Bn returned first.  The chief looked like he was wearing a gray t-shirt with his white chief's hat.  Turned out to be a filthy white undershirt.  I remember his face - soot, bags under both eyes, exhausted, grin. Harry Dammers was his name.  Always said "faw-tree battayun" on the radio.  He said he had 4 or 5 jobs, but missed the 3 alarm still in progress. He was a big, burly guy.  Said at one job they had no truck - so he took down the door. Some gangs were burning up Mermaid Avenue.  Still waiting for fire marshals.  The voice alarm almost immediately blared out something like "43 are you in quarters" then "Respond to W something St and Mermaid Ave".  That started the night shift.  No companies were assigned yet for a vacant building job when the chief station wagon turned off Mermaid Ave.  What a hopeless feeling.  An engine and a tower ladder became available from a nearby job and operated by themselves.  4 or 5 more jobs, back to back then some other runs. 

Initial responses were either 1 and 1 or at best, 2 and 2 with the chief.  No FAST or RIT companies.  Chiefs usually got questioned why they transmitted multiple alarms.  When multiples were transmitted, they frequently became dispatcher's 3rds or 4ths because of fire volume.  You never knew what units would be operating at a job until you got there because of fire volume, interchanges and relocations.  Spare rigs were commonplace.  Brooklyn was burning.

 

[mack]

Just to put things in perspective, the Coney Island companies were doing over 4000 runs, a lot of fires, and they wouldn't make the top 25 Runs and Workers list.  Other areas were even busier, as we know. 

 

[nfd2004]

  Our good friend "mikeindabronx" once again has added more photos to his web site. He now list page 18 of the fdnysbravest photos. These pictures tell the story of a time when fires were just a routine part of life in many parts of New York City. For many, Mike's photos brings back memories of the busiest time in the history of the FDNY. Most of us will agree that his "on scene photos" are the Best.

  To appreciate these Excellent photos more, one must realize that these were taken during a time that required a certain speed film for inside photos, one for day photos, one for night photos. Each roll of film had to be put into the camera by hand, and each and every photo taken had to be developed and paid for. There was no deleting a photo because it didn't come out right. Once taken, that was it.

  So thanks Mike for all you've done for us to preserve this part of history of the FDNY. There was no other time like it. I think all of us here appreciate what you've done for us, and I know I'm glad to have you as a good friend.

  So without further comments, here they are. Welcome to fdnysbravest page 18.

  http://fdnysbravest.com/page18.htm

  Thanks Mike, and thanks to his wife Marie, who actually does all the work posting these photos. It's because of Mike and Marie, that the memories of FDNYs War Years can live on.

 

[69 METS]

More GREAT photos from Mike! Thanks Mike, please keep em coming, I have great memories of those years working in the Bronx and Harlem.

 

[mack]

Thank you Mike.  Thanks you Bill.

 

[nfd2004]

When Engine 41 became Squad 41 back in the 1980s, as a buff, I thought that was a pretty good area to hang around. Squad 41 covered the busy South Bronx and Harlem areas. Battalions 12, 14, 16 were always catching work. There weren't too many places around that time to get a hamburger or a hot coffee. I remember riding with Engine 41 when Lincoln Hospital was still in the construction stage. 41 had gotten a run there and the guys told me it was going to be a hospital when its finished.

  When Engine 41 was being changed over to Squad 41, I think they were using a Lime Green Mack pumper. It was pretty beat up as I remember it. Now with this rig taking on some additional duties, there was more equipment that needed to be carried on it. I'm guessing things like a hurst tool, saws, forcible entry tools etc. In order to fit that equipment, alot of work needed to be done on that rig. The members of Squad 41 did most of this work themselves. As I understand it, "68jk09" was one of the officers to get things started on this rig. Another member of Sqd 41 at the time was a firefighter who we know as "69mets". Both of these members, along with the other members of Squad 41 at the time, were really the ones to make Squad Co 41 into what we know it is today.

  For me, Squad 41 was a part of "My Younger Buff Years". I used to watch them pull out of quarters and go over the bridge into Harlem. And I thought to myself if I could ever be a New York City Fireman, that's where I'd want to be.

  Well, I didn't really get that. But I was lucky enough to get a job as a firefighter in a small city in Connecticut. I spent a few years on Engine 2 there and every once in awhile, I'd have a few buffs stop by to visit. I told them how I buffed thre FDNY and how great it was. Those young guys all became firefighters. And today, I'm very proud and happy to report, that one of those guys have now become a member of the FDNY. And as a member of the FDNY, he is now assigned to Squad 41. And if you ask me, I think "68jk09" and "69mets", can also be very proud of this member, who is now running with the torch that they passed down to him. This member of Squad 41 also has a brother on the job here in Connecticut. He's a Super Great guy. Goes by the name of "Bxboro" on here.

 

[mack]

Thanks Bill.  All the guys you mentioned are first class, including you.

Squad 41 history: http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/fdnysquad41/sq41history.html

Rigs:
http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=squad+41+yellow&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.angelfire.com%2Fny5%2Ffdnysquad41%2Fmp8109.jpg&v_t=enus-mh-1_-cp-ws-cn-dt-le&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.angelfire.com%2Fny5%2Ffdnysquad41%2Fapparatus.html&width=183&height=119&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ft3.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTQQBmyYyXhmH-Ozo6zsxGB_R-iuF49yBqKtHMKfQkHJbXGtZFXhBWWfP0o%3Awww.angelfire.com%2Fny5%2Ffdnysquad41%2Fmp8109.jpg&b=image%3Fq%3Dsquad%2B41%2Byellow%26v_t%3Denus-mh-1_-cp-ws-cn-dt-le%26s_it%3DimageResultsBack%26oreq%3Db269508d84e74ad0af3795130102858b&imgHeight=330&imgWidth=505&imgTitle=Engine+41%3A+Lime-Yellow+Mack+1000+GPM+Pumper+Registration+number+8109.&imgSize=75864&hostName=www.angelfire.com

 

[guitarman314]

  Showing my age, my favorite Engine 41 rig was their 1952 Ward LaFrance Type 85T 750gpm w/250 gallon tank, Shop #2970. I can never forget the sound that engine's noisy muffler made as it sped down Morris Ave. with 4 guys hanging on the backstep. The deck gun didn't have a control wheel so the operator had to hold it to aim it or put a couple of MSA suitcases under it to keep it elevated.

 

[69 METS]

We had quite a crew of Firefighters in Sq. 41 when the company was formed and our officers were top shelf. Plenty of fire duty and good memories ... Reading the posts on this site helps me to remember how truly fortunate I was to have grown up in the firehouse as a youngster and subsequently to be appointed to the job and then work in the great companies that I was assigned to with some of the best Firemen and Fire Officers that anyone could imagine.

 

[johnd248]

Garrett: I can still remember your frequent visits to 2261 Church Avenue when your father was Captain of E 248.  You were probably around 10 years old then and had your own set of turnout gear.

 

[69 METS]

You are correct John. I was fortunate enough to get to ride along with Chief O'Neill and his aide Paul (I can't remember his last name). So many good memories.

 

[mack]

Garrett - Ditto.  I enjoyed the same memories at E 248. The old Church Avenue, BFD firehouse.  Engine and chief shared quarters.  Ebinger bakery boxes stacked in the kitchen. Busy.  Bells ringing all night.  Housewatch would yell up "OK engine, OK chief" or "Chief goes".  A good house. Good leadership.  Good men.  Good company.

 

[johnd248]

During my time there, a FF from L 157 was detailed to E 248 for a month.  Due to the constant supply of Ebinger's cakes and pies, he gained 15 pounds and couldn't wait to go back to the truck.

 

[69 METS]

Yes! The table in the corner of the kitchen stacked high with those great Ebbingers cakes! My sister worked at Ebbingers during the Summer while she was in H.S.. Thanks Mack and John 248 for continuing to post so many memories of the job from years ago. Great stuff!

 

[raybrag]

I fondly remember Ebinger's stuff.  My cousins from Brooklyn would bring cakes from Ebingers to every family get together.  Then they opened a store on Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre, and I immediately gained 20 pounds.  I haven't been to NY in 40 years . . . are they still around?

 

[69 METS]

I fondly remember Ebinger's stuff.  My cousins from Brooklyn would bring cakes from Ebingers to every family get together.  Then they opened a store on Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre, and I immediately gained 20 pounds.  I haven't been to NY in 40 years . . . are they still around?

They haven't been around in their original form for years, although they did return for awhile operating like Entenmann's. I moved down South in 2003 and haven't been back much so I don't know if they are still in operation. I did find a website that provides some background on the company:
http://brooklyn.com/faqanswer-93.html

 

[nfd2004]

Our friend "mikeindabronx" has advised me that he put up a new page for his web site www.fdnysbravest.com . So as only Mike can show us, let us take a look back into what I call; "Mikes Younger Buff Years", as he added Page 15 to his Excellent collection. Once again, Thanks Mike. I think we all agree that your pictures are some of the Best out there.

  www.fdnysbravest.com

  "mikeindabronx" has just added Page 19 to his Excellent web site of photos from the 1980s of the Bronx/Harlem. This is a little different from his previous pages. These photos are black and white Vintage Photos of FDNYs Rescue 1 and Engine 65. I don't think site owner and newly promoted Lt Tommy Bendick worked this rig when he was assigned to Engine 65. These are "Mike's Younger Buff Years", (www.fdnysbravest.com).

    No more Mack Fire Apparatus. Many ERS boxes replaced Pull Boxes, and many have come and gone. Computers have replaced bells. DRB and TCU have been replaced with FAST and RAC. Turnout coats and 3/4 rubber boots have been replaced with hoods and bunker gear. NYC/EMS now displays FDNY/EMS. And once empty burned out blocks have been replaced with occupied apartments and commerical businesses.

 

[68jk09]

Mike once again another excellent page......some observations of older equipment some no longer used......in the R*1 shots...picture # 3..the 2 round containers hold line for use w/the Lyle Gun...(line throwing).......picture # 6  is the Lyle Gun itself mounted on the wall (still carried)....... ......picture # 10 two O'Brien Cutters...a large electric powered low speed /high torque drill w/a hole cutter attached..it was used primarily for cutting a hole in a pier or other thick flooring to insert a distributor..generally the 3 or 4 overlapping holes were drilled in a cloverleaf  pattern..if it bound up & you did not let go of the switch quickly you could easily go for a spin (no longer used)...............in the ENG*65 shots ..picture # 4..in the left bed are lengths of the unwieldy black rubber "1 1/2  which was the forerunner of the "1 3/4 ...also above the rollups on the right are 2 wooden scaling ladders.