Time for a Get Together

I went to Booking.com and reserved a King standard room for one for 4 nights and it was $468.00 plus tax I'm sure. Either way I am booked 10/8-10/12. See everyone then.
 
Just booked my room through booking.com.  October 8-11, have to head back south on the afternoon of the 11th. Looking forward to seeing you all (y'all, I am from the south). Willy D, I owe you a Big Mac to make up for that Virginia cheeseburger!
 
Great guys. I hope to have an entire schedule up for you soon.

I believe the tour for Squad 288 / Haz Mat, and Rescue 4 / Engine 316w/ the Hose Wagon, are set for Friday October 10th.

We are working on the Shops and Fire Academy for Thursday October 9th.

The FDNY Memorial Service is on Wednesday at 10 am. And "mack" is working on a few other things for Wednesday October 8th and Saturday October 11th. 
 
I'm hoping that everything is back to normal at the FDNY Fire Academy for our tour Thursday October 9th.

"Irish" pointed that out in the thread "Student Firefighters contact MRSA at FDNY Academy" in the News and Events section.

  There is one site member working on setting up the tour for us. But I'm sure this story has played a part in it.
 
With less than one month to go, I just want to let you know, "we haven't forgotten".

It looks like we should be all set with the tours of Squad 288/Haz mat 1, Engine 316/Rescue 4 and the Hose Wagon. Dinner at Maggie Mays along with one or two members of the FDNY, who are also members of this site.

The possibility exist of a few riding a bus early Wednesday morning, Oct 8th, if they wish, to begin with a visit to the FDNY Yearly Memorial Service at 10:00 am in Manhattan, Riverside Drive and 100th St.

There is also some plans to visit a volunteer fire department close to the border of NYC to see their operation.

I am hoping to get the final okay for our Shops and Fire Academy visit. One of the issues of course at the Fire Academy is the recent outbreak of Mrsa.

My plans are to sometime next week, make a trip to NYC, and basically confirm our over all plans.

I apologize for the long delay. If things do need to be changed, I will keep you informed. As soon as I have the complete details, I will be sure to pass them on.

We have two or three members behind the scene actually doing all the foot work. Without them, it would be much more difficult. I plan to give them full credit where credit is due. "I owe them that".

  Thank you for being so patient and I able to clearly see what a Great Job, site member "Atlas", aka Kenny F., did for us last year. This year he couldn't do it because of other commitments. But thanks Kenny, "you sure did a great job". 
 
At this point, it looks like the Shops and the Fire Academy are a "GO" for Thursday Oct 9th, but we just have to get that finalized.

One member is working on the schedule for Saturday. I believe it is going to be the FDNY Fire Museum or the 9/11 Memorial.

Those that are attending, don't forget to bring your cameras and extra batteries, maybe even a notebook. 

  "fltpara16", Steve E., one of my buddies told me he went to visit your Volunteer unit. He said he talked to two retired guys from FDNYs Ladder 124. He told them the first fire he ever buffed in Bushwick was on Covert Ave. That's all it took and I guess the stories started to flow. I guess they all could relate to that relatively small street in Brooklyn, I think that runs between Broadway and Bushwick Ave. (?)
 
nfd2004 said:
1) Wednesday 10/8 evening
        NFD2004
        Mack
        CFDMarshall
        Fltpara16
        Irish
        Ken
        fdce54

2) Thursday tours 10/9
        NFD2004
        Mack
        CFDMarshall
        ParkAve32
        Fltpara16
        Irish
        Ken
        fdce54
     


3) Friday tours 10/10
      NFD2004
      Mack
      CFDMarshall
      ParkAve32
      Fltpara16
      Irish
      Ken
      fdce54


4) Saturday tour 10/11
      NFD2004
      Mack
      CFDMarshall
      ParkAve32
      Irish
      Ken
      fdny1075k
      fdce54
Click to expand...

  Gentlemen, THANK YOU for being so patient with me on taking so long to give you a schedule of events for the October, 2014 Get Together. Above is a list of members who plan to attend the events. Others are still welcomed to join any one of the tours, however, I would need to get a full count for the event.

  Well here is what we have. Of course some would be subject to change being the nature of the Fire Department business. Weather could also be a factor. But let's hope for the best. I can honestly say that I know each of these members and every one is a gentleman. The only person I don't know is "Ken". But if "mack" is inviting him, I know he's the best.

  1) Wednesday Evening 10/8 - Meet and Greet at the lobby of the Anchor Hotel. Joe M., "mack", has planned a tour for us to visit a volunteer fire department that borders New York City. We plan to arrive there about 6 pm.

  2) Thursday October 9 - 10:00 AM Tour of the FDNY Fire Academy. 2:00 PM Tour of the FDNY Shops, which Tommy B, site owner has offered to set up for us.  Evening meal and Get Together at Maggie Mays around 6 PM where member Chief JK "68jk09" plans to meet us along with maybe another site/FDNY member(s).

  3) Friday October 10 - 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM tours. Tour has been arranged by Chief JK, 68jk09", for Squad 288/Haz Mat 1 and also Engine 316/Hose Wagon and Rescue 4. Depending on the assigned scheduled activities of the day for these companies, will depend on which tour is first.

  4) Saturday October 11 - 10:00 AM tour of the FDNY Fire Museum.

  I understand that Joe M., "mack", will be providing everyone with a booklet listing the schedule and more places to go for those that decide to stay a few extra days. Throughout this entire planning process, "mack" has been there offering his thoughts and ideas. He has been a Major Player behind the scene. Those that know him will tell you "He's Top Shelf".

  Those staying at the Anchor Hotel will be offered a Continental Breakfast in the morning. There are also numerous places to eat in the area. If we decide to use mass transit, that is convenient also.

  For all the scheduled tours, we will plan on meeting in the hotel lobby in the morning. As always, we try to car pool and share the ride. If we decide to use mass transit, we can do that also. There is off street parking at the hotel, which I believe has security cameras. It is located in a generally good area, however you are reminded not to leave valuables in the car and make sure it is locked when not occupied.

  As we normally do, of course in appreciation for these tours, we ask for a donation to the Wounded Warriors Fund and The Elsasser Fund. The donation will be collected and divided equally.

  I really don't feel this is necessary, however as a routine matter, we ask that you conduct yourself as a respectable person and any drinking of alcohol is your choice, BUT, after the tours.

  I hope that at some point, site owner Tommy Bendick will join us. Without him, none of this would be possible. I also hope that members of his family will join us as they are good respectable people and have lived the FDNY.

  I look forward to seeing everybody. If you need my cell phone number send me a message and I'll get it to you. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to call you my friends. And there's many others on here who are not on the above list that I feel the same.

  I hope I didn't forget anything. If you have any questions feel free to ask here or send me a pm. I sure am looking forward to seeing you guys. I guess the best way to describe it is, "like a kid waiting to see Santa Clause". Although when that time comes, "I really do look forward to seeing him".

 
 
truck4 said:
Think you guys should change your plans for Saturday:

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Public-Events-Calendar.aspx
Click to expand...

  Mike, you are absolutely right. I didn't know about that until Chief JK "68JK09" mentioned that to me. I had passed on the information to "mack", who is printing up a booklet with a schedule and possible events to go to after our Get Together.

  It is considered a major event in NYC. I've never seen it but I understand the show is great and it goes on for the weekend. Those that want to go to the Fire Museum can do that or if they prefer they can go to the Intrepid/Blessing of the Fleet.

  Thanks Mike, and I hope somewhere along our Get Together you can stop by.

  For those who don't know, "Truck 4" gave us a Great tour at a Get Together about 2-3 years ago. That tour was of the Yonkers Police Emergency Service Division where he is a Sargent with the Yonkers Police Department. I guess as I understand it, both him and Lt Tommy B., of the FDNY, have been good friends for a pretty long time. 
 
For the guys that will be with us on Saturday October 11th for the Fire Museum, I've been advised that a tour guide will be assigned to us. The tour will start at 10 am and there will be a spot for us to park a few cars on site. (Thanks to Joe M., "mack")

  I believe the Intrepid tour and the Blessing of the Fleet will be taking place most of the day and into Sunday for those who would like to see that.

  I expect to have Frank D "fdce54" and Declan "Irish" riding with me in the Willy D buff mobile. We might have room for one more.

  "Emmett M., "fdny1075k", will only be with us on Saturday. Joe M "mack", Ken, and Steve E, "flapara16", won't be able to be with us for Saturday. Myself "NFD2004", Frank D "fdce54", Elwood E "CFDMarshall", Declan "Irish", and Bill J. "Parkave32", plan to be there for all the events.
 
I want to pass onto the guys what has been going on behind the scene, as far as getting to visit the FDNY Fire Academy. Lt Tommy Bendick (site owner) had to put it in writing about our request to the Chief in Charge. Honestly, we still don't have confirmation of an okay yet. I assumed everything was all set and I was premature in doing so.

  If a Lt in the FDNY is working on this and still there are no promises yet, who else could do better. We live in such a different world today. Years ago I could walk around the place all day. Nobody bothered me. Last year or the year before, I tried to get another site member in. I knew it would be tough so I told him not to count on it. Well, as expected; "we didn't get in".

  If it doesn't work out, we'll make other plans. If we do get the okay, we all need to consider ourselves very lucky. Because it just doesn't happen.

  Thanks Tom for all your efforts in helping us. We all have to understand how things are today.

  One thing for sure, throughout this Get Together, I would make sure that you have TWO Government forms of IDs. Myself and another member went through that issue when we were planning on a tour of the Pentagon. We can laugh and joke about it now, but it wasn't too funny then.

  As soon as I hear anything regarding our tour of the FDNY Fire Academy, I'll pass it on.

  If we don't get to The Rock, maybe we can tour a McDonalds. See how they make Big Macs.  (Not too funny, huh !!!)
 
Willy D:

Instead of a tour of Micky D's, how about White Castles, since we don't have those in this part of Virginia!

All kidding aside, thanks to all who have been working so hard to make this get together happen.  I am looking forward to a great time of buffing and brotherhood.  Also, to all that are attending, I am a big patch collector, so I will have a stack from my Department with me to trade.

See everyone in a few weeks!

Steve aka "fltpara16"
 
"Fltpara16", Steve, we won't have to worry about setting up any tour of McDonalds or White Castle. Lt Bendick gave me the word today that Chief of Training has given us the okay for the tour of the FDNY Fire Acdemy, aka "The Rock".

I can't thank Tommy enough for taking the time to submit that in writing to the Chief. I guess we all should figure ourselves very lucky because it just doesn't happen these days.

Tom, thanks very much for what you have done. Not only for this tour but for this entire site. Without you, none of this would be happening.

And he asked me to remind the guys that the weekend of Oct 11, and 12th, Intrepid tours will be going on. Also the Blessing of the Fleet. A very big event in NYC.

I really want to make everybody aware that besides Lt Bendick that has been a huge help organizing this, two other individuals have worked to try and make our Get Together a success. Retired FDNY Chief Jack K "68jk09" and Retired US Army Colonal Joe M "Mack".

I also want to mention last years Get Together, where site member "Atlas" organized a Great program for us.

They just don't make them any better than these guys. But don't ask me, ask anybody else that knows them. I consider it an honor to be their friend.

Let me end by saying that as I remember, there is a White Castle on Northern Blvd, only a few blocks from the Anchor Hotel. Steve E, "fltpara16", maybe we can stop in to see how they make up a bag of sinkers. Steve E., is a B/C in Va. He gave a few of us a great tour last spring. Thanks very much Steve. We all really enjoyed it. It's our turn now.
 
I just wanted to take a minute to remind everybody that things are going well and as planned for our October, 2014 Get Together. And that there are Three members on here that we need to thank for all their help. They were the one's that have been working behind the scene doing all the work. I mean EVERYTHING.

FDNY Lt Tommy B. "tbendick", site owner.
Retired FDNY B/C Jack K., "68jk09"
Retired U.S. Army Colonel/Vol FF - Fairfax Co, Va, Joe M., "mack"

  THANK YOU.

  As I said, everything seems to be in place. We are just awaiting a final okay for the Shops tour and then I will post the complete line up as we have it.

  Roughly here's the way it looks.

  WEDNESDAY OCT 8th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Memorial Service in Manhattan at Riverside Dr and 100th St. I wish I had scheduled that earlier because I'm sure some of the guys would have liked to attend that. However, that is the same time when most members will be either flying or driving in. But for those that will be able to attend, you are welcomed.
    Later in the evening (Wed) we plan to meet in the lobby of the Anchor Hotel in Queens on Northern Blvd and 216th St by 1800 hrs. From there, we will visit a local firehouse, and the plan is to pick up a few pizzas for the FDNY members who invite us.

  THURSDAY OCT 9th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Fire Academy tour. Meeting in the lobby of the Anchor hotel at 0900 hrs. Car pooling encouraged.
      Lunch to be announced
    1400 hrs., - FDNY Shops tour
    1800 hrs., - Meet in hotel lobby to attend dinner at Maggie Mays ( 214-22 41 Ave) for 1830 hrs. Please note that street parking meters are in effect until 1900 hrs. and the metered parking lot next to Maggie Mays are in effect until 2200 hrs. (It cost me a $35.00 parking ticket because I was 20 minutes over). Some street parking may be found on 41 Ave., but pay attention to signs. Chief Jack K., "68jk09", says he expects to be there along with maybe a few other members of the FDNY, who may also be members of this site.

  FRIDAY OCT 10th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Engine 316/Hose Wagon, Rescue 4 tour. Meet in hotel lobby at 0900 hrs.
      Lunch to be announced
    1400 hrs., - FDNY Squad 288/Haz Mat 1 tour.
  It is important for us to understand that Fire Department business will still go on. Companies may be assigned to training at the FDNY Academy that day, take part in building inspections or be out on a run. Should that happen, we all need to understand that. We will try to make last minute other arrangements if necessary. The companies will still be in service and regular business takes precedence over us. In addition, because of that, our schedule for that day may be revised as posted.
   

  SATURDAY OCT 11th.
      1000 hrs., - FDNY Fire Museum tour in Manhattan. Meet in hotel lobby at 0900 hrs. Important for those of us to plan to leave then due to the travel time heading into Manhattan. Car pooling is advised and we have an assigned tour guide to assist our group. There will be a few parking places for us nearby and a $5.00 donation is suggested.
      After the FDNY Museum tour our scheduled events are over. However, as posted on another thread, there is the FDNY tours of the Intrepid. Also that weekend is The Blessing of the Fleet. A major yearly event in New York City. I have never seen it, but as I understand, large ships come up the Hudson River in a very impressive display.

  Of course throughout these events we hope for good weather. Maybe site member, The Most Reverend "CFDMarshall", aka Elwood E., can pull a few strings and talk to the right guy to get us that. Can you help us with that Rev. ?  The Rev. himself, will be flying up from the State of Tennessee to be with us. But regardless of the weather, we're all just a couple of respectable guys that have the same interest. I know each guy personally. I think those that give us the tours will see that for themselves.

  If you haven't signed up and would like to take part in one or two of the tours etc., of course you are also invited. I only ask that you contact me so that we can have a head count on the number of guys attending. For those that find it easier to meet us at the tour site, you are welcomed to do that. You are not required to travel to the hotel first for that.

  Anybody attending that needs my cell phone number, just send me a pm.

  We have just a few simple rules we ask you to follow:
    1) No booze until after the tours are over
    2) Donations will be collected for The Wounded Warriors and Elsasser Fund in appreciation for these events. Please give your donation to either myself or Joe M., "mack". We will then forward a check of equal value to each fund.
    3) Please be on time.
    4) Your attitude reflects on all of us and this web site. Everybody who has ever attended these Get Togethers has always conducted themselves well. We plan to continue with that reputation.

  I sure look forward to seeing you guys. As most of us feel, we consider the FDNY the Busiest and the Best in the World. We will get to see a part of it when our Get Together days come together.

 
 
nfd2004 said:
I just wanted to take a minute to remind everybody that things are going well and as planned for our October, 2014 Get Together. And that there are Three members on here that we need to thank for all their help. They were the one's that have been working behind the scene doing all the work. I mean EVERYTHING.

FDNY Lt Tommy B. "tbendick", site owner.
Retired FDNY B/C Jack K., "68jk09"
Retired U.S. Army Colonel/Vol FF - Fairfax Co, Va, Joe M., "mack"

  THANK YOU.

  As I said, everything seems to be in place. We are just awaiting a final okay for the Shops tour and then I will post the complete line up as we have it.

  Roughly here's the way it looks.

  WEDNESDAY OCT 8th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Memorial Service in Manhattan at Riverside Dr and 100th St. I wish I had scheduled that earlier because I'm sure some of the guys would have liked to attend that. However, that is the same time when most members will be either flying or driving in. But for those that will be able to attend, you are welcomed.
    Later in the evening (Wed) we plan to meet in the lobby of the Anchor Hotel in Queens on Northern Blvd and 216th St by 1800 hrs. From there, we will visit a local firehouse, and the plan is to pick up a few pizzas for the FDNY members who invite us.

  THURSDAY OCT 9th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Fire Academy tour. Meeting in the lobby of the Anchor hotel at 0900 hrs. Car pooling encouraged.
      Lunch to be announced
    1400 hrs., - FDNY Shops tour
    1800 hrs., - Meet in hotel lobby to attend dinner at Maggie Mays ( 214-22 41 Ave) for 1830 hrs. Please note that street parking meters are in effect until 1900 hrs. and the metered parking lot next to Maggie Mays are in effect until 2200 hrs. (It cost me a $35.00 parking ticket because I was 20 minutes over). Some street parking may be found on 41 Ave., but pay attention to signs. Chief Jack K., "68jk09", says he expects to be there along with maybe a few other members of the FDNY, who may also be members of this site.

  FRIDAY OCT 10th.
    1000 hrs., - FDNY Engine 316/Hose Wagon, Rescue 4 tour. Meet in hotel lobby at 0900 hrs.
      Lunch to be announced
    1400 hrs., - FDNY Squad 288/Haz Mat 1 tour.
  It is important for us to understand that Fire Department business will still go on. Companies may be assigned to training at the FDNY Academy that day, take part in building inspections or be out on a run. Should that happen, we all need to understand that. We will try to make last minute other arrangements if necessary. The companies will still be in service and regular business takes precedence over us. In addition, because of that, our schedule for that day may be revised as posted.
   

  SATURDAY OCT 11th.
      1000 hrs., - FDNY Fire Museum tour in Manhattan. Meet in hotel lobby at 0900 hrs. Important for those of us to plan to leave then due to the travel time heading into Manhattan. Car pooling is advised and we have an assigned tour guide to assist our group. There will be a few parking places for us nearby and a $5.00 donation is suggested.
      After the FDNY Museum tour our scheduled events are over. However, as posted on another thread, there is the FDNY tours of the Intrepid. Also that weekend is The Blessing of the Fleet. A major yearly event in New York City. I have never seen it, but as I understand, large ships come up the Hudson River in a very impressive display.

  Of course throughout these events we hope for good weather. Maybe site member, The Most Reverend "CFDMarshall", aka Elwood E., can pull a few strings and talk to the right guy to get us that. Can you help us with that Rev. ?  The Rev. himself, will be flying up from the State of Tennessee to be with us. But regardless of the weather, we're all just a couple of respectable guys that have the same interest. I know each guy personally. I think those that give us the tours will see that for themselves.

  If you haven't signed up and would like to take part in one or two of the tours etc., of course you are also invited. I only ask that you contact me so that we can have a head count on the number of guys attending. For those that find it easier to meet us at the tour site, you are welcomed to do that. You are not required to travel to the hotel first for that.

  Anybody attending that needs my cell phone number, just send me a pm.

  We have just a few simple rules we ask you to follow:
    1) No booze until after the tours are over
    2) Donations will be collected for The Wounded Warriors and Elsasser Fund in appreciation for these events. Please give your donation to either myself or Joe M., "mack". We will then forward a check of equal value to each fund.
    3) Please be on time.
    4) Your attitude reflects on all of us and this web site. Everybody who has ever attended these Get Togethers has always conducted themselves well. We plan to continue with that reputation.

  I sure look forward to seeing you guys. As most of us feel, we consider the FDNY the Busiest and the Best in the World. We will get to see a part of it when our Get Together days come together.
Click to expand...

  As of today, Thursday October 2nd, less than one week to go.

  Joe M., "mack", has mentioned to me that the Volunteer Firehouse that borders the FDNY would really like to meet us and we are invited. I think that "mack" is still trying to get that planned for our first evening together on Wednesday 10/8. But whatever it is, most of us already know each other and it will be good being reunited again. Just maybe a few more grey hairs, or as in my case, "less hairs".

  I know that we all understand the nature of fire department business. So we all need to be pretty flexible and I'm sure that everybody understands that quite well. Add to todays security issues that also come into play. I know that FDNY Lt Tommy B., site owner worked pretty hard to get us the tour for the FDNY Fire Academy. Today's rules require a request in writing. But thanks to Lt Bendick, we WILL get to see a tour of the Academy. It probably wasn't going to happen if it had been "NFD2004", aka Willy D, requesting it.

  Chief Jack K, "68jk09", has set up the tours of Squad 288/Haz Mat 1 as well as Engine 316/Hose Wagon and Rescue 4. I'm sure that the members of these companies are a lot more willing to plan this because of what Retired Chief Jack K. is asking of them, than that guy Willy D.

  My point is this. It is really these THREE members that we need to THANK for what they've done. And just as it has been over the last couple of Get Togethers, it has ALWAYS been other members of this site, that worked behind the scene getting things set up. Members like "Jbendick", retired FDNY Captain, "Atlas", retired FDNY Chief Dispatcher, "FD347", Supervising FDNY Fire Dispatcher, and "Truck 4", Yonkers Police Sgt. Those are the guys that did it for us.

  On another thread here, I mentioned about "mikeindabronx" being nominated to the NYCfire.net "Hall of Fame" for what he has done and his excellent FDNY photos of the FDNY 1980s. Of course I did that for a little fun. But it is TRUE.

  And likewise, every one of these other guys I mention above should also be a part of it. They did more than their share for us. No money, no medals, just maybe a pat on the back. In some cases, nobody really knew who it was that organized these Get Togethers. Well, I just think it's time EVERYBODY knew.

  I believe that 'mack' will be printing up a booklet for the members attending this Get Together. I think the above posted schedule is accurate, except on our Wednesday evening tour, which may be a Long Island Volunteer Dept on the Queens border.

  Remember to bring proper ID, your camera, and make sure you have my cell phone number (NFD2004, Willy Ds) in case you need it. It's always a great time. A few laughs. A few stories and some GREAT TOURS of what we all consider to be; "The GREATEST FIRE DEPT in the WORLD".

 
 
Again Thanks to ALL who have gone to the trouble to organize our tours. I cannot wait to get started. I finished up work today for the next 21 days and am NYC bound on Sunday morning (Irish Time) arriving around Lunch Time (NYC Time)

1st Stop will be O'Haras behind 10house for a drink and the 10house burger lol

Gonna head to the FDNY memorial mass on Wednesday after which ill meet Willy D fingers crossed

Sunday after our tours im heading to the Intrepid for the Blessing of the Fleet

Monday im off to NJ to meet an Irish EMT from Dublin whos working in Jersey whos gonna show my around some local Depts

Wednesday im off to Boston for 3 days including a trip up to Nashua, NH to meet a FF who i set up with Station tours over here last month before flying home on the Saturday

It sure looks like its gonna be an action packed 2wks
 
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