Relocations and Box Numbers
- Thread starter Darrell
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I can speak for SI, not the history behind it, but the system for this borough. Earlier box #s start on the north shore (think 155/78 first due area with box #s such as 00XX). The higher the box #s go, the more southern you are on the island. 4XXX box #s are extreme south shore.
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Engine 329, I have heard them relocate a few times, what is the rule on them relocating?
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Wouldn’t make sense for them to relocate….
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In 1900, after the City consolidation in 1898, the Manhattan Fire Alarm Office in Fire Department Headquarters on East 67th St. was responsible for dispatching in the Bronx until it's alarm office was established on the top floor of Engine Company 46 at 715-717 East 176th St. Box numbers in the Bronx started at 121 (no zeros), but the lowest assigned number then was 266- Spuyten Duyvil R.R. Depot at the Hudson River. The highest number assigned was 991- Vernon Parkway and Bronx Place.
These box numbers were distinguished from identical Manhattan boxes by the use of preliminary signal 2 (so the box would be 2-266). Preliminary signal 2 was used for all boxes north and east of the Harlem River. This became the 2100 series boxes in the South Bronx.
When visiting the Manhattan CO in the 1960's, I noticed amongst the alarm circuit boards the Manhattan-Bronx Interboro Circuit. I assume this was the old alarm circuit that got signals from 67th St to Bronx firehouses. I have no idea if it was still in use then and how.
I remember from that visit that they had the other boroughs' radios playing around the City Wide radio desk. On Brooklyn, I heard the four- four- one and the four- four- two on the air and had no clue what that was all about.
These box numbers were distinguished from identical Manhattan boxes by the use of preliminary signal 2 (so the box would be 2-266). Preliminary signal 2 was used for all boxes north and east of the Harlem River. This became the 2100 series boxes in the South Bronx.
When visiting the Manhattan CO in the 1960's, I noticed amongst the alarm circuit boards the Manhattan-Bronx Interboro Circuit. I assume this was the old alarm circuit that got signals from 67th St to Bronx firehouses. I have no idea if it was still in use then and how.
I remember from that visit that they had the other boroughs' radios playing around the City Wide radio desk. On Brooklyn, I heard the four- four- one and the four- four- two on the air and had no clue what that was all about.
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Based on the above description, that would explain how Manhattan and the Bronx ended up with the same Borough Preliminary Signal- 6-6. And they ended up with non-overlapping box numbers.
On another thread, I noted that in 1945 Rescue 3 appeared to respond to boxes in the 12th Battalion. R3 other responses in Manhattan required a special call or a multiple alarm signal.
So, the question arises; how were the 12th Battalion boxes received on 143rd Street? Was it via the Manhattan-Bronx Interboro circuit? To the firehouse or to the Bronx CO (which re-transmitted the box borough wide)? A phone call?...Manhattan to R3, Manhattan to Bronx CO to R3?
The master telegraph key in the Manhattan CO had a selector switch that divided the Borough into three sectors, or combinations of two sectors (or all sectors). Except for All Hands or Multiple Alarms, most telegraph signals in the Borough were received by only a limited number of firehouses. Was R3 on the uptown sector?
On another thread, I noted that in 1945 Rescue 3 appeared to respond to boxes in the 12th Battalion. R3 other responses in Manhattan required a special call or a multiple alarm signal.
So, the question arises; how were the 12th Battalion boxes received on 143rd Street? Was it via the Manhattan-Bronx Interboro circuit? To the firehouse or to the Bronx CO (which re-transmitted the box borough wide)? A phone call?...Manhattan to R3, Manhattan to Bronx CO to R3?
The master telegraph key in the Manhattan CO had a selector switch that divided the Borough into three sectors, or combinations of two sectors (or all sectors). Except for All Hands or Multiple Alarms, most telegraph signals in the Borough were received by only a limited number of firehouses. Was R3 on the uptown sector?
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Under the old Telegraph Alarm System each Borough had its own or shared it's "Borough Piliminary" Manhattan and the Bronx had 6-6,
Brooklyn 7-7, Richmond (later Staten Island} had 8-8, and Queens 9-9. For example, if a Third Alarm was transmitted in Brooklyn the units in all of the other NYC Boroughs would hear "7-7 Borough Piliminary for Brooklyn. 3-3 A Third Alarm, followed by the Brooklyn Box number that was used for the fire. In Brooklyn the units would hear 3-3 Followed by the box number used for that fire, on the Telegraph Alarm Bell system in the firehouses. Special Calls for units had their own Piliminary. 4 Battalion Chiefs, 5 Engine Companies, 7 Ladder Companies, 8 Squad Companies, 9 Special Units like the Mask service Unit for example, and 10 Rescue Companies. Example: 7-7 10-2419-1 = A Special Call to Brooklyn for Rescue 1 from Manhattan to Brooklyn Box 2419. Avenue H and East 38th Street.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
Brooklyn 7-7, Richmond (later Staten Island} had 8-8, and Queens 9-9. For example, if a Third Alarm was transmitted in Brooklyn the units in all of the other NYC Boroughs would hear "7-7 Borough Piliminary for Brooklyn. 3-3 A Third Alarm, followed by the Brooklyn Box number that was used for the fire. In Brooklyn the units would hear 3-3 Followed by the box number used for that fire, on the Telegraph Alarm Bell system in the firehouses. Special Calls for units had their own Piliminary. 4 Battalion Chiefs, 5 Engine Companies, 7 Ladder Companies, 8 Squad Companies, 9 Special Units like the Mask service Unit for example, and 10 Rescue Companies. Example: 7-7 10-2419-1 = A Special Call to Brooklyn for Rescue 1 from Manhattan to Brooklyn Box 2419. Avenue H and East 38th Street.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.