F
fdonthejob
Guest
The original Squads in the FDNy used a big van called a "Bread Truck". They were a 24 hour a day unit and assigned to respond on all boxes in their district. They carried hose ( roll ups) and Truck tools. These Squads were used as stated, primarily as manpower. They could be assigned to operate as an Engine or truck by the Chief in charge.
Sometime in the late 60's early 70's the Squads gave up the Bread truck for Pumpers. Around this same time, the Squads were than used as the 1st section of different Engine Companies to augment them due to the very busy times. For example Sq 1 would act as E45, during the tour. E45 would of course still operate as there was plenty of work to go around. At midnite, Sq 1 would return to its home Qts (E43) and only respond to working fires.
After the budget hits in 73,74 all the squads were disbanded. An end of an era of some very busy units that produced some very good firemen.
Alot of Fire companies were disbanded during that time including E269 in park slope. When the community fought to reopen it the job created SQ1 which would respond to E269's 1st due boxes and than respond as a Squad (special unit) in certain Battalions in Brooklyn. It was a win win situation, the community got its Engine back and the boro of Brooklyn gained an additional Special Unit.
When E41 was disbanded, it was also re opened in 1990 under a similiar situation. In that case the Job caved into political pressure and opended it as E41 which would respond to 1st, 2nd and 3rd due Engine Boxes and as a Squad to certain Battalions in the Bronx.
The Squads of the FDNY have a colorful history and have always been very active units.
Sometime in the late 60's early 70's the Squads gave up the Bread truck for Pumpers. Around this same time, the Squads were than used as the 1st section of different Engine Companies to augment them due to the very busy times. For example Sq 1 would act as E45, during the tour. E45 would of course still operate as there was plenty of work to go around. At midnite, Sq 1 would return to its home Qts (E43) and only respond to working fires.
After the budget hits in 73,74 all the squads were disbanded. An end of an era of some very busy units that produced some very good firemen.
Alot of Fire companies were disbanded during that time including E269 in park slope. When the community fought to reopen it the job created SQ1 which would respond to E269's 1st due boxes and than respond as a Squad (special unit) in certain Battalions in Brooklyn. It was a win win situation, the community got its Engine back and the boro of Brooklyn gained an additional Special Unit.
When E41 was disbanded, it was also re opened in 1990 under a similiar situation. In that case the Job caved into political pressure and opended it as E41 which would respond to 1st, 2nd and 3rd due Engine Boxes and as a Squad to certain Battalions in the Bronx.
The Squads of the FDNY have a colorful history and have always been very active units.
