VINTAGE FDNY RIG PHOTOS.

^^^^^. There were four 110 ft Seagraves....LADs* 4..38..49. & 165.....after these Units got the 110's replaced they were disposed of.. not used as Spares in the FDNY..
 
My 1st unit out of Proby school was Engine 27 at 173 Franklyn St. on Manhattan's Lower east side-SOHO. When I was appointed there, they had a 1970 Mack CF. engine 27 was closed shortly after the Firefighter Layoff's in 1975. When I was 1st assigned to Eng. 27 it was assigned to the now long closed Battalion 5 in Greenwich Village latter Eng. 27 was made part of the 2nd Battalion. I worked overtime and detail to units in Batt. 2 including Eng. 55 in "Little Italy" At that time Salvatore Cassano was assigned to Eng. 55 and wee became friend. Later when he was Chief of Department and still later Fire Commissioner, he would always say hello when we met a fire or anywhere else. Sal was and is a great guy and one of the truly bright lights in the long history of the FDNY. For short while after the July 1st, 1975, Firefighter Layoffs, including myself, Super Pumper Systems Satellite 1 was quartered and manned by Eng-27, until Eng-27 was closed, for good. I know of only one other member of Engine 27 who is still around, Ff. Jim Moerschel who ended his career in the FDNY Photo unit. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
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Except for the short trailer, which really bounced the tillerman around, those 85ft Macks were good rigs. The tormentors were quick to set up and the aerial was quick to get into operation. They could take a beating and keep going.
 
I love the old Mack B Rescues. I had the honor of buffing at Rescue 2, after having met Lt. Dick Hamilton R-2 when I was a teenager. Anyone who wants to read an excellent FDNY Book, get a copy of "20,000 Alarms" by Lt. Richard "Dick" Hamilton. Photo #1 is of a 5th Alarm fire I buffed, back on 3/30/62. Rescue 2 members including Lt. Dick Hamilton operating. Lt. Hamilton is on the right side pointing toward the smoke. NOTE PHOTO is by Alex Donchin (Not sure of spelling.) FDNY Lt. Dick Hamilton & His men at Bklyn 5-5  3-30-62.jpgFDNY Rescue 2 @ 2-2 825 onn 7-17-68.jpg
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
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^^^^^^.
"FIRST DUE" by Al DONCHIN....ONE OF THE BEST WILLIAMSBURG/BED STUY BKLYN WAR YEARS PICTORIAL BOOKS.... ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY AL DONCHIN RIP... AN FDNY FRIEND & SUPPORTER & GENTLEMAN (ALSO A NYC SANITATION STAFF CHIEF )... AL TOOK HIS PICTURES FOR HIS INTEREST IN THE FDNY & THREW HIS PROFIT'S ( FROM MANY PHOTOS THAT NEWSPAPERS USED) ON THE KITCHEN TABLE AT ENG*230/SQ*3 WHERE HE HUNG OUT & RODE BACK THEN CONSTANTLY....AS A SIDE NOTE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN THE BOOK..FOR EVERY PICTURE IN IT AL HAD ANOTHER SEVERAL FOR EACH SEQUENCE THAT BACK IN THE DAY WERE CATALOGUED IN BINDERS ON A SHELF IN THE KITCHEN OF ENG*230/SQ*3. .....Al lived off Eastern Parkway a few blocks away from 234/123...he has since Passed To A Higher Level.

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