Time for a Get Together

They are some good ideas to add Mack. Another house could be Eng 7 Lad1 Bat1? and if people where staying an extra day maybe the 343 Fireboat on the Sunday?

Ellis Island is one of the best places ive ever been to. The 1st stop for hundreds of thousands of Irishmen & Women that came off the boats to start a new life. There's no doubt PD & FD have alot of roots in Ellis Island.

The only down side to it is the Q's and time it takes to get there. Especially at weekends you can kiss the best part of a day away if you are to visit there with the amount of tourists heading there

 
IRISH said:
They are some good ideas to add Mack. Another house could be Eng 7 Lad1 Bat1? and if people where staying an extra day maybe the 343 Fireboat on the Sunday?

Ellis Island is one of the best places ive ever been to. The 1st stop for hundreds of thousands of Irishmen & Women that came off the boats to start a new life. There's no doubt PD & FD have alot of roots in Ellis Island.

The only down side to it is the Q's and time it takes to get there. Especially at weekends you can kiss the best part of a day away if you are to visit there with the amount of tourists heading there
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Is a 'Q' like a 'Line' to get in somewhere... ?  :-\
                                                                        ;)
 
Actually the Fire Musuem had been mentioned several times in the past. I think it should be considered for the Friday or Saturday tour. I know from previous tours several guys have mentioned that.

And for those that wanted to stay longer, as has been mentioned there are plenty of things to do. Quite honestly, the things to do or visit are unlimited. A few of us will work on setting things up for the original days, and anyone that would like to add a few extra days certainly is welcomed to do so.
 
In a few weeks, I will start to make plans for our October Get Together of 2014. As it stands, plans are for Oct 9, 10, 11 and we may need to add Oct 8th, which is a Wednesday, if all goes well. I regret to say that site member "Atlas" has other commitments that he is involved in. Let me just say that he was the person who organized the entire event last year. We toured Storm Damaged areas of Queens and a Volunteer Fire Department that was in the middle of it. Then in Brooklyn it was Squad 1 and the 9/11 Wall. We then toured several Staten Island firehouses, including Marine 9. He certainly did a great job for us. Thanks Kenny.

  This year I hope to contact a few members of this site for their assistance. I hope we can visit the Shops, the FDNY Fire Academy, the FDNY/EMS Academy, the Fire Museum, maybe a FDNY Communications Office and a firehouse outside the NYC area. Car pooling is recommended. Plans may need to change as the tour goes on due to department commitments or the weather. As always we would pass the hat in appreciation of this tour and contribute half to the Wounded Warriors Fund and the other half to the Elsasser Fund. I think last year we donated a couple hundred dollars to each.

  Since the first Get Together maybe 4 or 5 years ago, those taking part in these tours have always conducted themselves well. I think we have all been treated very well because of that. We are comprised of a group interested in the fire service with a special focus on the FDNY. Safe to say "One of the Greatest Departments in the World".

  So with that said, I will be contacting a few members of this site seeking their help and advice. Things like getting the okay for these tours. A decent inexpensive hotel in the general area. The best places to eat after our tour. I hope to get the plans in place and pass this info onto you. And as long as I can get a head count, you can pick what tours you want to see. You don't have to go to everything. We won't call mommy if you miss class. Some guys will need to take time off from work. Some guys need to book airline flights and the best prices are always gotten well in advance.

 
 
Our planned Get Together is still scheduled for Oct 9, 10, and 11th. With probably the visit to the FDNY Fire Museum on Saturday (11th). I was reminded that one of our previous Get Togethers, we had talked about visiting Squad 288 and Haz Mat 1. Unfortunately, I never followed through with that. So I hope to do that this time, in addition to The Shops and the Fire Academy. They are always favorites and good stops with our members. In addition, maybe a visit to a firehouse outside the FDNY if possible. If that is not possible, a tour will be given, but will not be announced on this web site. And NO, don't put your hopes up. "It's NOT one of those places where the guys can have fun with the ladies". 

  I have been advised that a good location to stay for a hotel would be the Best Western on Northern Blvd in Bayside Queens. It is located in a decent area and about 9 blocks from the Bell Blvd Strip where there are many places to eat for that midnight Micky Ds snack. It is right off the Cross Island Parkway giving easy access to all parts of the New York City highway system. In addition, it is close to the LIRR for easy access into Manhattan. About a 20 minute ride into Penn Station. There you can transfer to many subway lines, including to the Fire Museum. The hotel is about $140.00 a night, and has good ratings. A couple of rooms and splitting the cost shouldn't be too bad for somebody thrifty like myself. 

  For our evening meal after the busy day, I understand that Donavan's is still a great place. We visited it a few Get Togethers back and we all enjoyed it. Easy to get to using mass transit, about 16 minutes from the hotel. Another place that is not too far away is called "Maggie Mays". I believe it is owned and operated by the son a retired FDNY member and who is also a member of this site. As I understand it is a favorite spot for some of the FDNY members to gather.

  I will of course be asking the help of others to help organize this. Mostly active or retired members throughout the NYC area Fire Service. Of course security is always a big concern. I would suggest at least one government form of I.D., but better would be bring two. All attending this Get Together are asked to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. With that said, we have always been welcomed. We want to keep that good reputation going. Car pooling and mass transit is the way to go.

  We ask that you make a contribution in appreciation for these tours. The donation's collected will be evenly distributed to "The Wounded Warriors Fund" and "The Elsasser Fund". I hope it can be given through this site; NYCFire.net.

  Once again, a Thank you to "Atlas", Kenny F., for organizing the entire event last year. I know he is involved with many things, including the U.S. Coast Guard. But he did EVERYTHING.

  And THANK You to "68jk09", Retired Chief J.K., for his help with suggestions for this years upcoming Get Together.

As plans are made, I will pass the details onto you. A few weeks before, I will need a head count and if you wish, you can skip any tour or attend the entire group. That's your choice. It's a great time. We all have the same interest and we have never run out of things to talk about.
 
Bill - firehouse outside NYC - maybe Yonkers (e.g. - Rescue 1) - good department and close

 
If I might make a suggestion.  How about a quick stop at the Fireman's Memorial on Riverside Drive to get everyone together for a Moment of Silence or even a prayer and perhaps a wreath laying for those who've died in the line of duty over the past 199 years.  Maybe invite an FD chaplain?
 
nfd2004 said:
Our planned Get Together is still scheduled for Oct 9, 10, and 11th. 

  I have been advised that a good location to stay for a hotel would be the Best Western on Northern Blvd in Bayside Queens. It is located in a decent area and about 9 blocks from the Bell Blvd Strip where there are many places to eat for that midnight Micky Ds snack. It is right off the Cross Island Parkway giving easy access to all parts of the New York City highway system. In addition, it is close to the LIRR for easy access into Manhattan. About a 20 minute ride into Penn Station. There you can transfer to many subway lines, including to the Fire Museum. The hotel is about $140.00 a night, and has good ratings. A couple of rooms and splitting the cost shouldn't be too bad for somebody thrifty like myself.
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  Mack pointed out to me that The Best Western Hotel of Bayside, will be closed during our visit. I assume for renovations. But I've been advised that there is a similar hotel of the same quality in the same area called "The Anchor Inn" located at 215-34 Northern Blvd., Queens, NY. The price is also about the same. There are also several other hotels not too far away, near the airport (JFK).

  "Manhattan" thank you for your suggestion. I will certainly keep that in mind and it is a worthwhile place for us to visit. That's at Riverside Dr and 100 St, right ?
 
Had not heard about Best Western being closed....the Anchor is good & near by........be careful of places by JFK some are used to house homeless....... the Pan Am on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst which used to be very nice was turned into a homeless shelter almost overnight.
 
68jk09 said:
Had not heard about Best Western being closed....the Anchor is good & near by........be careful of places by JFK some are used to house homeless....... the Pan Am on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst which used to be very nice was turned into a homeless shelter almost overnight.
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Chief, what was the name of the other dive motel on Queens Blvd..73-01 to be precise. I can't think of the name of that dump for the life of me.
 
I certainly appreciate that advice. We would have no idea of what we could be getting into if not for your help.

In my case, I'm really not too familiar with the area. 

Thanks for the info and as the time gets closer, I hope we can all stay at that Anchor Inn.

 
memory master said:
68jk09 said:
Had not heard about Best Western being closed....the Anchor is good & near by........be careful of places by JFK some are used to house homeless....... the Pan Am on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst which used to be very nice was turned into a homeless shelter almost overnight.
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Chief, what was the name of the other dive motel on Queens Blvd..73-01 to be precise. I can't think of the name of that dump for the life of me.
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Mets Motel is a shythole on Queens Blvd. don't know the exact address.
 
Yep, that's it. Did more b.s. ambulance calls in that place. It was so common you could have the PCR written before you got there except for the latest caller's name. Thanks Sir.
 
Years ago, brothers from out of town regularly used the motel on Queens Blvd, opposite Engine 292. Don't know how it is today.
 
Metro motel  is on the even side of QNS Blvd @ 73-00......almost across the Blvd @ 74-01 is the Crown Motor Inn another real bad place....numerous responses there...i remember one about 8 years ago ...it was a busy afternoon & i arrived 1st ....nothing showing in front so i walked inside to the desk & the clerk said "probably nothing the homeless guy who lives in the starwell must have pulled the pull station on the 4th fl"....i walked behing the desk & looked @ the video screens .....the 4th fl hallway screen was gray ....i asked her if the 4th fl monitor was broken  she said "it wasnt last time i looked".....no Units had arrived yet so as i went back to the Rig to get my gear i looked up & just then a window on the 4th fl opened & a guy covered in dry chem powder climbed half out the window surrounded by a cloud.....long story short the guy hanging out the window was a resident ...an EDP had forced his way into the guys unit & started to beat him & then discharged 2 dry chem extinguishers (resulting in the gray video screen)......when the Truck got into the room & pulled the guy back from the window the EDP then re appeared & started fighting w/them....PD arrived but would not enter the floor because of the dry chem cloud...the EDP was very combative....1 FF got handcuffs from them & the Truck managed to handcuff the EDP & bring him down to the floor below .....a few years before that in much more serious & sad situation a father hung his 2 year old Son in a unit there 
 
I stopped into Best Western in Bayside today....they did not know anything about a closing ?......also another consideration is the Adria is right next door to Best Western but i think the Anchor might be cheaper.
 
68jk09 said:
I stopped into Best Western in Bayside today....they did not know anything about a closing ?......also another consideration is the Adria is right next door to Best Western but i think the Anchor might be cheaper.
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  Chief J.K. "68jk09", Thank you very much for taking the time to check that out for us. "mack" had mentioned to me that the Best Western was NOT available for the dates we had planned. I also checked it out on line at that point and also found the same thing. Because it was so far in advance, I assumed that there must be renovations going on at that time. Now we understand that it "IS" listed as available. I certainly thank you for your help.

  You had mentioned to me many reasons for suggesting that hotel or that area. I think that is something that we should consider. Or maybe the Adria or Anchor as you have suggested. I want to thank the others as well. You are certainly a big help to us. Some of us have never been to that area and don't know what to expect. Having people who know the area much better than most of us certainly gives us a huge advantage.

  I hope to start really making plans once August begins. I'm hoping to get some help from a few site members and I plan to confirm our schedule through the proper channels. At that point setting up a schedule for us to follow, considering travel time between tours, lunch, and talking with the members of the FDNY. It will probably be limited to one tour in the morning and one tour in the afternoon.

  There's just so much to see and visit. It's impossible to do it all in a couple of days. Some of the mentioned tours will have to be put off until next time. We'll work out what we can and I'm hoping we all have an enjoyable trip. We can't control the weather which certainly would have an effect on this. We can't control the business of fighting fires. We plan to visit a firehouse and their services are needed much more someplace else. That's the nature of the business. So we need to be somewhat flexible.

  We will probably need two forms of government IDs. The world we live in today requires that. Of course we are expected to conduct ourselves as grown mature adults during our tours. And we ask that you make a donation to our suggested charities in appreciation for the tours we receive. Keeping in mind that if not for this web site, probably none of this would be happening. (Thanks to FDNY Lt Tommy B)
 
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