1/31/15 Brooklyn 7th Alarm Box 103

[Ret Phila Lieut]

Years ago,,might even have been before the internet,,I read about a job which I "think" was somewhere in Manhattan. If my memory serves me right I think I saw the article in firehouse magazine. It mentioned something called a "boro call". Was there ever such a designation and if so what exactly did that mean other than to me the obvious,,meaning every company in the boro responded. I'm probably completely wrong just curious if any old timer could answer.

 

[lucky]

The term "boro call" refers to the assignment of engine companies after the fifth alarm. The cards that you often see on this site were used by the dispatchers and units to see who would respond. There were 5 lines for 5 alarms worth of assignments. The dispatchers would then pick a box number from one of the other 4 boros and transmit one or more alarms from that box depending on the chief's needs. When the alarm was received in a firehouse, the members could tell which companies were responding and to the location and the boro to which they would respond to. This was all done over the bells. I hope that somewhat answers your question.

 

[Ret Phila Lieut]

I think I understand your explanation,,,down here as we don't have "boro's" the run cards go to the 12th alarm,,,after that it's up to the alarm room to figure out,,,but the IC can change the assigned companies depending on his needs on any alarm.

 

[enginecap]

in the current situation, companies, especially battalions, citywide are taking turns applying water to the wreckage....prob will be going on for quite a while.  Would be nice if Brooklyn could handle it themselves though.

 

[enginecap]

Interesting that they had a fire there are approximately 2 hours before the large fire started.  Make you think the first fire wasn't thoroughly put out and rekindled started the major conflagration.  I wonder if possibly portions of the sprinkler system were taken 00S after the first fire for the heads could be replaced and it was not yet back in service?

Or one could think that someone started the first fire and had his/her/their hopes dashed by the extinguishment of same. Then waited a while and torched it of again only to succeed this time. Rekindle possible, but highly doubtful.

I would say the rekindle is way more possible

 

[Signal73]

Fire Location: 5 North 11 Street @ Kent Ave

Fire 1st floor in a 4 story commercial

100 X 100 Class 3

10-75 (G-Man in effect)
E-221,229,238,216
L-106,146,104(Fast)
B-35,45
R-2
Sq-252
D-11
Rac-2
Marine 6

2nd Alarm
E-211.258,259,292
L-108,119
B-31(Safety)
B-57 (RUL)
B-28 (FF)
RB,SB
FC
E-207 w/ Sat. 6
Marine 9
Marine Battalion

@06:42 B35 we are setting up TLs
@06:45 B35 we need another TL L111 Act. L146
@06:46 B35 3rd Alarm

3rd Alarm
E-210,217,218,235
E-279(Comm Unit)
L-115,102s/c,124s/c,163s/c
B-32 (Staging)
B-43 (Air Recon)
Mask
Tac2
Car-7,12A,16,1F
Thawing Unit 330
E-9 w/ Sat. 1

**Staging North 7 St & Kent Ave**

@07:06 B57 for D11 reports Fire through out a 4 story commerical with extention to an exposure. 2 TLs in opperation 2 more being set up. 3 L/S/O
@07:10 FC s/c another Fast Truck I want 2
@07:12 B57 for D11 s/c 2 more TLs
@07:27 D11 notify the shops L146's tower is frozen ifo the fire building
@07:30 FC Per C7 we have 5 TLs opperating and M9 setting up
@08:12 FC per C7 5 TLs in opp and 2 marine units special call an addtional Sat. Unit
@08:40 FC Transmit a 4th Alarm

4th Alarm
E-277,237,226,224
L-18,135,128s/c,112s/c,120s/c,35 act. 7s/c
B-4 Planning
B-41s/c,37s/c,48s/c
E-262 w/ Planning Rig
E-230 w/ MCC1
Car-4,12

@08:24 FC have E9 w/ Sat. 1 meet up with E235 there is only 1 working hydrant.
@ 09:44 FC s/c 2 Rear Monts 2 Tower Ladders and 3 BCs
@10:36 FC per Car transmit a 5th Alarm 4 Engines 2 Tower Ladders

5th Alarm
E-233 act. 239,234 act. 216,271,260
L-105,9,117s/c
B-46 act. 28s/c,17s/c,39s/c
E-330 w/ Sat. 3s/c
E-324 w/ Sat. 4(10-8)
Thawing Unit 265
Car-3

@10:56 FC per Car 4 special call 1 additional TL & Sat. unit & BC
@11:00 FC Car 4 reports 3 TLs in opp & 2 Fire Boats still a heavy volume of fire DWH
@11:05 FC s/c 2 more BCs

**Fall Back Step 3 in effect **

@11:49 FC s/c another Sat. Unit
@11:53 FC s/c another Thawing Unit
@12:19 MCC1 transmit a 6th Alarm no chiefs just TLs

6th Alarm
E-238,216,211,258
L-152 act. 115,146,124s/c,111s/c,119s/c,7s/c,114s/c
L-161s/c,14s/c
L-108s/c,102s/c (New Fast Trucks)
E-24s/c for 207 relief
B-40s/c,58s/c,53s/c,13s/c
D-1s/c
Fire Science Unit

@12:53 MCC1 s/c a BC for relief of the planning chief
@13:00 Car 3 is 10-84 and in command
@13:05 MCC1 s/c 2 rearmong ladders to replace the fast trucks
@13:20 MCC1 s/c 2 TLs
@13:38 MCC1 s/c 2 TLs
@13:44 MCC1 s/c 1 TL
@13:52 MCC1 s/c 2 TLs
@13:55 MCC1. TL 163 was already here once send me some one else
@13:59 MCC1 s/c 3 BCs that havent already been here for relief
@14:10 MCC1 s/c 1 DC for relief
@14:42 MCC1 per Car 3 we have 6 TLs 1 Sat. & 1 Marine Unit in opperation. Partial collapse of the fire building extended opp. Transmitt a 7th Alarm 4 engines 1 being the back up for the Sat. 3 TLs 1 rear mount to replace the fast truck & 1 BC.

7th Alarm
E-240,243,236
E-152s/c (Sat. Back Up)
L-15,17,45,3(New Fast Truck)
B-14
Rac-??

@17:00 MCC1 s/c a RAC company for relief
@18:00 MCC1 per Car 16 6 TLs 1 Sat. 1 Boat opp. Conditions of the fire are unchanged. PWH.
S/C 8 Engines 3 will back up the Sat. Companies 6 TLs, 1 Rearmount as the new FAST truck Marine 1 4 BCs 1 will be safety and 1 Thawing Unit.

Relief Companies:
E-206,42,97,159
TL-120,124,58,50,23,22
L-102 FAST
B-48,20,1,57(Safety)
Marine 1
Thawing Unit 64,61s/c
Sat. 3,5

@18:45 MCC1 transmit a 10-41 Code 1
@ 21:30 MCC1 s/c 7 Engines 1 being a Sat. Unit Company 6 TLs 1 Rearmount to be the fast truck & 2 BCs. Have them report to staging & have only the officer report to the command post

Relief Companies
E281,233,73,284,324,283,26,76
L144,107,12,105,159,161,156(Fast)
B52,6

@01:00
Relief Companies
E-47,218,207,9,72
L-31,119,163,14,44
L-8(New Fast truck)s/c
B-18,51,7,9,31(Safety)
Sat. 6,1,2
Marine 9

@01:15 MCC1 6 TLs, 1 Boat & 3 Sat. Unit in Opp. PWH

Duration: 17 hrs 54 min

@06:15 MCC 1 s/c 1 rearmount ladder to be the new fast truck
@08:52 Marine 9 10-84 Box 103
@09:30 Companies for relief into staging
@10:30 MCC1 s/c RB1

E217,234,332
L107,172,161,124,108(fast)
B52
B28(Safety)
Thawing Unit 97
RBs/c

@11:00 NO PUBLIC ACCESS ALLOWED DUE TO SAFETY!
@13:30 MCC1 s/c companies for relief
@15:10 MCC1 s/c a new fast truck for relief of L108

Relief Companies
E-
L-12,51,102(New Fast Truck)
B-

@16:50 MCC1 s/c a shops fuel truck
@18:15 MCC1 s/c E207 to come get Sat. 6
@18:30 Companies for relief

E-205
L-
B-26,52,54
E-72 w/ Sat. 2
Marine 1

@22:15 MCC1 call the shops have them send over a fuel truck
@08:50 MCC1 notify all in coming relief companies not to come down North 10th St due to LDH in the road.

Relief companies @ 08:50 2/2
E-
L-131
B-16,43,38
R-2 w/ RC 2
Marine 1

Relief Companies @14:00
E-
L-
B-41,?

Relief Companies @18:30
E-
L-
B-19

Relief Companies @21:15
E-238,205,33
L-1
B-7,52
E-72 w/ Sat. 2


Relocation:
Engine ?? Act. Engine 242 (2/1)
Ladder 77 Act. Ladder 172
Battalion 49 Act. Battalion 37
Engine 242 Act. Engine 279
Engine 255 Act. Engine ??
Ladder 103 Act. Ladder 108
Battalion 17 Act. Battalion 39
Ladder 175 Act. Ladder 104
Engine 303 Act. Engine 233
Engine 5 Act. Engine 237
Ladder 1 Act. Ladder 131
Ladder 143 Act. Ladder 175
Engine 1 Act. Engine 221
Engins 301 Act. Engine 324
Ladder 142 Act. Ladder 124
Ladder 174 Act. Ladder ??
Engine 297 Act. Engine 218 (10-8 then to 238)
Engine 297 Act. Engine 238
Engine 255 Act. Engine 233
Engine 4 Act. Engine 201 (10-8 then to 211)
Engine 4 Act. Engine 211
Engine 271 Act. Engine 230
Engine 245 Act. Engine ??
Engine 164 Act. Engine 330
Ladder 111 Act. Ladder 146
Engine 282 Act. Engine 210
Engine 233 Act. Engine 239
Engine 305 Act. Engine 259
Engine 234 Act. Engine 216
Engine 239 Act. Engine 211
Ladder 105 Act. Ladder 146
Battalion 8 Act. Battalion 31
Battalion 46 Act. Battalion 28
Ladder 172 Act. Ladder 120
Battalion 50 Act. Battalion 57
Battalion 6 Act. Battalion 48
Ladder 118 Act. Ladder 112
Engine 280 Act. Engine 210

After 1900 2/1
Engine 210 Act. Engine ??

2/2
Ladder 102 Act. Ladder 112
Engine 33 Act. Engine 290
Ladder 124 Act. Ladder 120
Engine 219 Act. Engine 214

Relief Companies @21:15
E-238,205,33,294
L-1
B-7,52
E-72 w/ Sat. 2

 

[Disp51]

This is from The Manual of Fire Communications used during the '60s.  Section 1.14.4 spells out the procedures for a when simultaneous call had units from one borough respond to a box in another borough. This was commonly referred to as a boro call. As Lucky mentioned, only engine companies responded on a simultaneous call, any other units had to be special called. Also, if necessary, the Dispatcher could transmit an alarm greater than requested in order to fill out the assignment.
Imagine what the firehouse bells would have sounded like on Saturday.

 

[AuxWarYearsCapt]

01/03/2015.    0100 HR.  RELIEF COMPANYS

E 009 / Satt 1.  E 092.  E 202.  E 219.  E 312.  ** E 225 REPLACED. E 202**

TL 035.  TL 041.  TL 121 ( 95 FT )  L 166 FAST

Batt 09.  Batt 19.  Batt 32.  Batt 37

 

[FDNYSTATENISLAND]

Engine 225 replacing E202

 

[AuxWarYearsCapt]

02/03/2015.  0400 HRS.  RELIEF COMPANY'S


E 022.  E 089.  E 201.  E 245.  E 309

TL.007.  TL 051 ( 95 FT )  TL 153.  L 148 FAST

BATT 008.  BATT 014.  BATT 033.  BATT 040

 

[Signal73]

Doug thank you for being a night owl!

 

[Signal73]

Units currently opperating went in for relief @07:00
E-83
L-51
B-20,26
Thawing Unit 61



Sorry could only get the BX

 

[1261Truckie]

Interesting that they had a fire there are approximately 2 hours before the large fire started.  Make you think the first fire wasn't thoroughly put out and rekindled started the major conflagration.  I wonder if possibly portions of the sprinkler system were taken 00S after the first fire for the heads could be replaced and it was not yet back in service?

Or one could think that someone started the first fire and had his/her/their hopes dashed by the extinguishment of same. Then waited a while and torched it of again only to succeed this time. Rekindle possible, but highly doubtful.

I would say the rekindle is way more possible

On another site it was reported that the building was sprinklered and they contained the first job. Whoever wanted this building out of the way knew the sprinklers would be out of service and relit it after the companies left the scene. That fire was no rekindle.

 

[Bulldog]

On another site it was reported that the building was sprinklered and they contained the first job. Whoever wanted this building out of the way knew the sprinklers would be out of service and relit it after the companies left the scene. That fire was no rekindle.

Do you have any evidence to support your position?  Until an investigation is completed anything is just speculation!  With layers and material like this rekindles are extremely likely because the fire can appear to be out but deep down inside of the material there is enough heat to flare back up later.

Most places require that a fire watch be implemented if the sprinkler system is left 00S, is this the case in NYC?

 

[gabesdad09]

Had a fire like this in our area back in 1996 or 1997.  Burned for several days, had to have excavators come in and pull the piles apart.    Many rumors swirled about that fire as well, as the papers inside contained bank statements, and what was described as "federal documents".  Nothing like fighting a fire and having "important" looking guys watching your every move to make sure you didn't happen to pick up one of these "documents"...

 

[CFDMarshal]

On another site it was reported that the building was sprinklered and they contained the first job. Whoever wanted this building out of the way knew the sprinklers would be out of service and relit it after the companies left the scene. That fire was no rekindle.

Do you have any evidence to support your position?  Until an investigation is completed anything is just speculation!  With layers and material like this rekindles are extremely likely because the fire can appear to be out but deep down inside of the material there is enough heat to flare back up later.

Most places require that a fire watch be implemented if the sprinkler system is left 00S, is this the case in NYC?

We can go the speculation route and you are correct Bulldog, an investigation will hopefully vet out the truth, but if we are sitting around the firehouse table or at the local bar discussing this fire. I am with 1261 Truckie on this one! JUst one man's humble opinion!

 

[vbcapt]

Well done Signal 73 !

 

[Signal73]

Thank you Sir. Still updating as the days go by. With the little info I get

 

[fltpara16]

Thank you Signal 73 for the updates. Looks like all 5 boroughs had apparatus assigned to this incident over the past few days. Always amazes me on the resources the FDNY can muster, and still leave coverage for the rest of the city.  Have they brought in heavy equipment to begin to dig out the fire scene at this time?

 

[Signal73]

Relief Companies @06:00

E-1,206,226,230,248
L-18,114,152,L113Fast
B-13,32,46,48