OLD ELECTION NIGHT'S IN RED HOOK.

[68jk09]

Election nights back up into the '60s....Red Hook would go nuts w/large bonfires & once the wood for bonfires ran out then many vacant bldg Fires.... 202/101 & 279/131 would have double & triple sections for the Election Eve consisting of spare rigs manned by details from all over the Job (no ot in those days).....anybody who showed up w/gear was allowed to ride/work.....always plenty of action.

 

[entropychaser]

In the 1940's Engine 282 was detailed to Red Hook for Election Night. In the book "They Only Played Cards" Paul DeGaeta tells the story of the covering newly promoted lieutenant who ordered the company to put out a bonfire after they told him that would be a poor idea. Then the officer suddenly grabs the nozzle and sprays the crowd. This act probably meets anyone's idea of insanity. The crowd steals the line and runs. Things end with the Lieutenant standing in the middle of a deserted block begging for the rowdies to at least bring back the nozzle.