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I was told today by former FDNY EMS Deputy Chief that FDNY EMS has a large group of Medic/EMTs going down to help in Georgia, North & South Carolina and other areas badly damaged by Hurricane Helene. I also know the Christian National Group "Firefighters for Christ" is sending people to help...

Box 2431,was or is located at Flatbush Ave. & Hiller Place. A few feet from Flatbush and Nostrand Aves. I lived and Buffed in that area from childhood, born 1946, till 1974. The conflict is correct the response time for E-248 normally would be better than for E-281. Does anyone remember the...

This is a great idea. I had some serious fires and even a serious Subway derailment, and the communications were a real problem. The indecent that comes to mind was the Major Derailment of a subway at the 14th St. Union Square Subway Station, when I was a Lieutenant in Tower Ladder 21. A subway...

In the U.S. the Fire Underwriters Labatory = "U.L." has recently complete tests on Lithium Batteries, but the result has not been published yet. I also found an article online about the Problems of "Dendrites" forming within Lithium Batteries and causing them to short out causing them to...

This incident reminds me a Major Incident in Queens in about 1966 or 67. It resulted in a 13-alarm fire in Jamica Queens when a leak developed in a large High Pressure Gas Main, the 1st units on the scene stalled due to the Gas Concentration being so high the apparatus did not have enough air to...

Nick Visconti was one of the Nicest and finest man I ever met. I worked under him at the World Trade Center and his concern for the safety of all the people at the scene was inspiration to us all. A class act at all times. I will miss you Chief, but most of all miss you, my brother fireman. A...

This fire shows the complexity of fires in these old buildings in Midtown and else ware. Keeps units on the scene until all the opening up of the walls etc. on the floor/s above is complete. If worse comes to worse help is already there waiting to go to work if needed. I you need to relief...

Ladder 21 was given a Tower Ladder after the 10th Alarm, Box 798, fire that destroyed the old quarters of Rescue 1, in the Mid 1980s. (Photo # 1 below) I was a Lieutenant then Tower Ladder 21 from 1987 till my promotion to Captain in 1991. During those years and after, TL-21 was used a lot for...

I have family in the Philadelphia Fire Dept. and because of the potential for more fires like this one. I believe that adding more Tower Ladders to the ladder company apparatus should be considered. Also, years ago, the Philadelphia F.D. had water was called a "Giant Deluge" (PHOTO BELOW) to...

This reminds me of the old Twin Black Hydrants on large water mains that had TWO 4 1/2" outlets placed on large water mains for use by the old Super Pumper System. Regular FDNY units were NOT to use those twin special hydrants, due to being reserved ONLY for the Super Pumper System. I do not...

Why was this not a 2nd Alarm? You cannot play catch-up all the time. You must be proactive about seeing to it that if things get out of control you have enough units on the scene. Reflex time is the time from the time you call units to the scene to the time the units are on the scene and going...

Good information Johnny thank you. At one time there was a move to establish additional Hazardous Material Units in the FDNY. On idea floated was addition Rescue Companies that would also fulfill the additional Haz. Mat. requirement. Then the FDNY management finally arrived at the concept of...

I worked in Engine 41 in the 1980 as a covering Lieutenant, and 41 was a very busy Engine back then. So busy that I was surprised when they became 1st "Enhanced" Engine Co. 41 and later Squad 41. The original concept of the Post 1980s Squad was, they were to become Squads because their own...

I am told that a Con Edson soil vacuum unit was used to remove debris from the cellar to speed up the process of finding both Howard and Mike. Sadly, it was too late to save these great firefighters. My they continue to rest in God's loving hands. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.

Thankfully the women survived. To us firefighters I remember what an "Old Timer" told me when I was new on the job. If you ever are forced to jump from a building because you are trapped, try to aim at landing on a vehicle. The vehicle roof will bend and help break the energy of the fall and the...

L.F.B. a great Fire Brigade true professional. If they struggled with this fire what does that say to all of us. Brothers and Sisters learn what must be done this type of fire can and does happen here in the states. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

My former unit Engine 26 1st due on the 2nd Alarm. Still nice to see that Engine 26 still picks up work over a large area of Midtown Manhattan. Duck work fires tend to be very labor intensive or those in areas surrounding duct work, as they penetrate multiple floors, ceilings and sometimes also...