NYC fire protection

T

ta176

Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
310
When ever City needed money FDNY was always first on the chopping block. Fire Marshals went first and then Companies.
 
E

entropychaser

Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
1,179
In the last five years, NYC lost 300,000 people according to the US Census. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati both have populations of about 300,000. Pittsburgh has 30 active firehouses, Cincinnati 26. In Pittsburgh, since 1970, 22 engine companies, 11 truck companies, and 8 squad companies have closed.
 
L

Lebby

Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
1,480
entropychaser said:
In the last five years, NYC lost 300,000 people according to the US Census. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati both have populations of about 300,000. Pittsburgh has 30 active firehouses, Cincinnati 26. In Pittsburgh, since 1970, 22 engine companies, 11 truck companies, and 8 squad companies have closed.
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I think it's hard to draw direct parallels between NYC and anywhere else. The city has a very complex set of variables notably but, not limited to building stock and demographics that make it impossible to view in such simplistic terms as population. Of course as you point out a decline in population is a noteworthy factor, but it is only a piece of the puzzle as a whole.

I think the department is in a relative stable place company wise, I certainly haven't heard anything about changes one way or another. There has been talk of increasing EMS stations, but that's a talk for another time.
 
Capttomo

Capttomo

Joined
Sep 7, 2020
Messages
2,057
Lebby said:
I think it's hard to draw direct parallels between NYC and anywhere else. The city has a very complex set of variables notably but, not limited to building stock and demographics that make it impossible to view in such simplistic terms as population. Of course as you point out a decline in population is a noteworthy factor, but it is only a piece of the puzzle as a whole.

I think the department is in a relative stable place company wise, I certainly haven't heard anything about changes one way or another. There has been talk of increasing EMS stations, but that's a talk for another time.
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Well stated Lebby. NYC is like no other city in the country when it comes to providing police, fire and EMS protection. The complexity and variables are not of the scope collectively found any where else. E.g, population density, traffic on local streets, building construction, geography, separated coverage areas (rivers and Bridges). Amount of subways, amount of hi rises, and the list goes on.
 
E

entropychaser

Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
1,179
NYC just got a huge infusion of Covid play money from Washington. When that runs out, it's gonna be like when the Narcan wears off.
 
A

Atlas

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Apr 24, 2007
Messages
891
Back in the sixty's when Staten Island lost over 100 homes to a brush fire FDNY stated that they needed to build a dozen new fire stations. Now how many years is it? And only 5 new firestations were built (154/Sq 8, Eng 165 & Lad 85, Eng 166 & Lad 86, Eng 167 & Lad 87, and Eng 168). Staten Island needs a 4th battalion, just for the proper span of control and to reduce response times. And remember the city closed Eng 154 orginal quarters and years later re-opened the unit in another section of the island. As Staten Island continues to develope and some areas adding multi story structures there should be a demand for additional companies.

When Rescue 1 in Manhattan receives a new & larger quarters, Engine 2 should be re-establish on West 43 St. in the current qtrs of Res 1.

There is a need for an additional engine on Manhattan's Westside between Ladder 25 & Engine 76. Re-establish Engine 56 because of the construction of all the highrise apartment buildings north of 59 Street near the Hudson River.

Looking at Brooklyn - there is a need for new companies in or near Starrett City & Spring Creek areas. This will help to reduce the work load on Eng 257 & 290 along with Lad 103 & 170.

As new housing developments are created, traffic in those areas will also increase thus increasing response times of local fire companies. Additional companies will be needed.

What local community groups need to do is obtain the response times for all 1st & 2nd alarm units to get into their communities. Just in case the 1st alarm companies are at other calls, what is the response times for other companies to cover their areas.
 
T

tperez102

Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
409
Capttomo said:
Between Brooklyn and Queens there is a significant need for 4 more truck companies to fill areas with burgeoning construction and growth
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Gotta agree on this Astoria/ LIC My area in particular our First Due Truck 116 , if 117 is not available maybe a mile away in Traffic 158/128 Become Due. Any and , every open lot in Astoria is being build on Residential mostly. We have a HUGE influx of residents moving from Manhattan. Going to be interesting.
 
S

soda-acid

Joined
Mar 29, 2012
Messages
233
As stated before the Federal money is keeping the budget afloat. When that money runs out, and it will, the city will be hard pressed to keep from making cuts in companies etc.
 
M

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
2022 began with the tragic Bronx fire that claimed 17 lives. It is probably not a good year for politicians to propose fire cuts when civilian fire deaths increased dramatically.
 
M

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Atlas said:
Back in the sixty's when Staten Island lost over 100 homes to a brush fire FDNY stated that they needed to build a dozen new fire stations. Now how many years is it? And only 5 new firestations were built (154/Sq 8, Eng 165 & Lad 85, Eng 166 & Lad 86, Eng 167 & Lad 87, and Eng 168). Staten Island needs a 4th battalion, just for the proper span of control and to reduce response times. And remember the city closed Eng 154 orginal quarters and years later re-opened the unit in another section of the island. As Staten Island continues to develope and some areas adding multi story structures there should be a demand for additional companies.

When Rescue 1 in Manhattan receives a new & larger quarters, Engine 2 should be re-establish on West 43 St. in the current qtrs of Res 1.

There is a need for an additional engine on Manhattan's Westside between Ladder 25 & Engine 76. Re-establish Engine 56 because of the construction of all the highrise apartment buildings north of 59 Street near the Hudson River.

Looking at Brooklyn - there is a need for new companies in or near Starrett City & Spring Creek areas. This will help to reduce the work load on Eng 257 & 290 along with Lad 103 & 170.

As new housing developments are created, traffic in those areas will also increase thus increasing response times of local fire companies. Additional companies will be needed.

What local community groups need to do is obtain the response times for all 1st & 2nd alarm units to get into their communities. Just in case the 1st alarm companies are at other calls, what is the response times for other companies to cover their areas.
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Although not a fire company closure issue, NYC is going to have to address the aging of firehouses as most are. or will be, over 100 years old - many well over 120 years or 130 years. I am not advocating replacing the many classic firehouses that still serve effectively - but it will be costly to effectively refurbish old quarters built for horse-drawn steamers and much smaller early-day motorized apparatus. Firefighter health will, and should, become an increasingly important reason to look at firehouses designed with kitchens and bunk rooms located above apparatus that goes in and out of quarters 20 times a day.
 
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