A LOOK BACK.
- Thread starter 68jk09
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68jk09 said:
Looking at those photos today, it is still hard to believe how bad things really were then. Some referred to places in New York City as a War Zone. There was also a guy roaming the streets who called himself; "The Son of Sam", who would walk up to cars and randomly shoot innocent people.
It was sometimes a two or three hour wait to get an ambulance. The police and fire department was completely overwhelmed. I think most people, including the Federal Government, just wrote the place off. I remember discussing with friends, while sometimes in the middle of this environment, that maybe the military needs to come in here.
Thank you "68jk09" for sharing this with us. Now I hope to share it with a few others who also might remember when NYC was like this.
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He worked where I worked at the Bronx General Post Office on Grand Concourse & 149th St. He was on the 2pm to 12:30am afternoon shift working on the LSM (automated letter sorting machines). I worked the 8am to 4:30pm tour mostly at the lobby windows, the Registry Section and sometimes in the main money vault but I often did overtime manually sorting letters from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. It was during that time period that we would cross paths and talk while working. The employees had rehearsals once a week for a singing choir group that I accompanied on guitar. David Berkowitz would be coming on duty while we rehearsed in the employee cafeteria and he would have a coffee break listening to the end of our rehearsal. I would then sit there with my guitar and other employees would then ask for me to play requests. Berkowitz asked me if I knew "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix and I would play it although I didn't know all the lyrics. It wasn't 'til after he was cought that I realized that Jimmy Breslin had written about the words: "Son of Sam" can be heard at the end of "Purple Haze" if you played the record backwards. Imagine that? Meanwhile, there was a bounty on his head and rewards were being offered for information leading to his arrest and he was about a foot away from me 3 to 4 times a week. The day they caught him, I received a phone call from a former bandmate who was an undercover cop working out Police Hqtrs asking me the name(s) of coworkers I had previously submitted that I thought were suspicious. I gave them and he said: "You don't know how close you are, just watch the News this afternoon".nfd2004 said:
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JAMAICA GAS EXPLOSION.....(Thanks to Joe Walc FBC for providing it & JOR for forwarding it)......QUOTE..JAMAICA GAS EXPLOSION.... QUOTE.....
On Friday, January 13, 1967 at 0519 hours The Queens CO received an
alarm from pull box 4758. The box location was 101st Ave and Creskill
Place in South Jamaica. Due to an alarm response the first due companies
Engine 303 and Ladder 126 (quarters 10412 Princeton St off Liberty Ave)
were unavailable. Engine 298 and Ladder 127 arrived on the scene of a
massive gas leak. They immediately evacuated homes in the area. At 0530
hours a gas main exploded in a fireball. Engine 298 and Ladder 127 rigs
were fully engulfed in flames. The 13th Division transmitted the 3rd and
some subsequent alarms. By the time it was under control a total of 13
alarms were transmitted. Upon arrival Chief of Department, John T.
O'Hagan took on command of the incident. At the time, this was the most
alarms transmitted for a single incident.
Nine residential buildings were destroyed and eight others damaged
during explosion and resulting inferno. Several commercial buildings
including a paint store suffered damage in addition to garages and sheds.
Fortunately due to the evacuation efforts of FDNY and NYPD there were no
fatalities or serious injuries.
Chief O'Hagan promised the crew of Ladder 127 that they will be assigned
a tower ladder due to their loss. Engine 298's International Harvester
pumper was also replaced with a new Mack rig.
Ladder 127 was proud to become the first tower ladder in Queens, but
some firefighters regretted it, as they responded to all parts of the
borough. The Rockaway's were the worse where they had an arson for hire
group and a few pyromaniacs burning down vacant bungalows during the
fall and winter months.
The cause of the blast was a defective Brooklyn Union Gas Co. drip-pot
in the gas main. Drip pots were eventually removed from their system.
Getty Images has an outstanding film taken during the expolosion, here
is the link:
www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/early-morning-gas-main-explosion-in-queens-houses-and-news-footage/454006694
by Joe Walc Fire Bell Club.....UNQUOTE.
On Friday, January 13, 1967 at 0519 hours The Queens CO received an
alarm from pull box 4758. The box location was 101st Ave and Creskill
Place in South Jamaica. Due to an alarm response the first due companies
Engine 303 and Ladder 126 (quarters 10412 Princeton St off Liberty Ave)
were unavailable. Engine 298 and Ladder 127 arrived on the scene of a
massive gas leak. They immediately evacuated homes in the area. At 0530
hours a gas main exploded in a fireball. Engine 298 and Ladder 127 rigs
were fully engulfed in flames. The 13th Division transmitted the 3rd and
some subsequent alarms. By the time it was under control a total of 13
alarms were transmitted. Upon arrival Chief of Department, John T.
O'Hagan took on command of the incident. At the time, this was the most
alarms transmitted for a single incident.
Nine residential buildings were destroyed and eight others damaged
during explosion and resulting inferno. Several commercial buildings
including a paint store suffered damage in addition to garages and sheds.
Fortunately due to the evacuation efforts of FDNY and NYPD there were no
fatalities or serious injuries.
Chief O'Hagan promised the crew of Ladder 127 that they will be assigned
a tower ladder due to their loss. Engine 298's International Harvester
pumper was also replaced with a new Mack rig.
Ladder 127 was proud to become the first tower ladder in Queens, but
some firefighters regretted it, as they responded to all parts of the
borough. The Rockaway's were the worse where they had an arson for hire
group and a few pyromaniacs burning down vacant bungalows during the
fall and winter months.
The cause of the blast was a defective Brooklyn Union Gas Co. drip-pot
in the gas main. Drip pots were eventually removed from their system.
Getty Images has an outstanding film taken during the expolosion, here
is the link:
www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/early-morning-gas-main-explosion-in-queens-houses-and-news-footage/454006694
by Joe Walc Fire Bell Club.....UNQUOTE.
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One little correction in that 'Blast from the past', 298 at the time had one of those 1960 Ward LaFrance "Fire Brand' model rigs. They did have International Harvester 6 cylinder engines in them however.
I remember when the man on watch at E 248 in Flatbush woke up his replacement and said there is something big going on in Queens but we are never going there. Shortly after, as the event escalated, E 248 along with many other Brooklyn units made the trek to Jamaica Queens to operate at the fire.
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1970 photo of LAD*24 w/a 1963 Seagrave w/plywood roof covering added...... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-vintage-original-slide-FDNY-Fire-Department-New-York-24-Truck-NYC-Photo/262813978222?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40757%26meid%3Dc88c0bce2ed941ce87aa87215bff3df5%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D262813972700
Thanks for that, Chief. I remember very well seeing members riding the side of the trucks, and the rear step with an arm hooked over the strap, thinking how cool they looked, especially when they waved to people (kids) they knew. I know that safety is above all, as it should be, but still, nothing beats "cool".
24 Truck was in my cousin's house and I remember how strange it was to see apparatus with protective coverings.
24 Truck was in my cousin's house and I remember how strange it was to see apparatus with protective coverings.
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Another report on the 1967 Jamaica Gas Fire from the Bell Club Newsletter Thanks to JOR.... QUOTE...50 years ago this month, on Friday January 13, 1967 a major gas explosion occurred at 101 Avenue and Creskill Place in Queens. This incident resulted in the transmission of 13 alarms. The following is an edited and abbreviated version of the run-down that appeared in the January-February-March 1967 issue of the ?Third Alarmer?. I have also taken the liberty of using some of the abbreviations I use in summaries of the current rundowns. See WNYF 1967 2nd issue for additional information regarding this incident.
5:19AM: Box 4758 - E270, E298, L127, BC51 (first due units E303, L126 & BC50 were on another run). 5:31AM: 22-4758 - B/O BC51 ?for a massive gas rupture. Precautionary 2nd alarm transmitted to utilize companies to evacuate the neighborhood in conjunction with the NYPD. All units to report 1 block west of Cresskill Pl and 101 Ave and meet BC51. Citizens in immediate area are being evacuated. Brooklyn Union Gas urgently requested to respond immediately?. Response: E308, E302, E275, R4, L155, DC13, Searchlight 24, Safety Unit Car 500, Photo Unit, FC2, SAT3 and Car 956 (Satellite Officer). 5:36AM: Third alarm B/O DC13 (DC Winegar) - E315, E305, E301, L125, BC54...FD Ambulance 3, Superpumper System and Assistant Chief on duty ? Francis J Love (Car 8)...DC13 reported gas leak had erupted into a flaming holocaust!!! ?Flaming fire now erupting from manholes?...DOUBTFUL... 5:39AM: Fourth Alarm B/O DC13...E293, E317, E299 & L142...?BC51 to Queens----Have all 4th alarm companies respond in to fire and use heavy caliber streams in any direction possible. Special call two additional BC?s (BC50, BC39) and have them assume control on east side of fire at Allendale. Also notify Con Edison....? 5:47AM: Via Radio ? ?DC13 to Queens --- All 4th alarm units to respond North and West and assume defensive positions...TRANSMIT A FIFTH ALARM and have units approach from the East...SEVERAL BUILDINGS NOW INVOLVED!!? FIFTH ALARM: E319, E236, E252, E232 & L151...5:50AM: Car 5 ? Chief of Department JOHN T. O?HAGAN... ?Responding to Fifth alarm...notify gas utility companies to respond...emphasize this is a major incident...will require abnormal response of
(utilities)...everything available to be sent...Have high officials of such companies also respond 5:51AM: AC FRANCIS LOVE...?Have arrived at scene at 101 Avenue and Liverpool Street body of fire approximately 100? in diameter...Car 8 located 100? East of fire...approximately half a dozen buildings involved...practically impossible to enter the fire area...? 5:55AM: Car 8 ? ?Recommend to Car 5 (en-route) that a 3rd alarm Boro Call be transmitted?. Car 5 agreed and advised that instructions be given to units responding on Boro Call to have a chief in command of each sector and have them anticipate the arrival and control of companies responding...5:56AM: A 3rd alarm response of engines only normally assigned to Brooklyn Box 958 ? Atlantic & Bedford Aves. responded to Queens Box 4758...5:58AM: Car 8...?Have (Boro Call) companies respond in on Liberty & approximately 100 Ave. Send 4 companies to 101 Ave and Allendale?...1st alarm E235, E219, E280...2nd alarm: E214, E234, E209...3rd alarm: E249, E256, E230, E210...6:04AM: Car 8 ? ?Recommend to Car 5 that Boro Call be increased to a FIFTH ALARM & have these units respond in to 101 Ave. and Brisbin St.? Car 5 approved recommendation & radioed dispatcher to transmit 5th alarm Boro Call and to stand-by to receive instructions to set up a defense...Requested radio be kept clear for urgent fire traffic from Car 5 ? Chief of Dept. O?HAGAN. At 6:05AM the following report received from Car 5...?Center of fire incident is to be taken as 101 Ave & Brisbin St...East Front ? Allendale St; West Front ? Sanders Pl; North Front ? Atlantic Ave; South Front ? Liberty Av...Have one Staff Officer on each (of above) sectors or fronts... 6:06AM: 4th alarm: E211, E226, E217, E207; 5th alarm: E269, E222, E248, E220...6:14AM: TOWER LADDER #1 special called to scene by orders of Car 5...6:15AM: Satellite 1 to respond to 101 Ave & Brisbin; Satellite 2 to approach from North end of fire and stretch lines two blocks below fire area... 6:20AM: SUPERPUMPER responding to Sutphin Blvd & 103 Ave where a large 48? main was available for water supply...6:35AM: ?Car 5 to CITY-WIDE ?Prepare to transmit an additional Boro Call...will give order when required...have all utility companies respond to 101 Ave & Brisbin St?. 6:37AM: ?CITY-WIDE to Car 5?...CON ED and all
utilities notified and are responding...6:50AM: Car 5 advised all incoming Boro Call units & Tower Ladder to respond to Liverpool and 101 Aves. 6:56AM: ?BY ORDERS OF CAR 5 ? TRANSMIT AN ADDITIONAL 3RD ALARM BORO CALL?.6:57AM: A 3rd alarm response of engines only due to respond to Manhattan Box 174 Bowery and Canal St, were to respond instead to Queens Box 4758...1st alarm; E9, E55, E31...2nd alarm; E17, E15, E7, E32...3rd alarm; E27, E33, E13 and E10. 6:59AM: ?CITY-WIDE TO FIELD COMM UNIT? ?The American Red Cross requests all evacuees to respond to St Pius Church, 106 Ave & Liverpool St?...Field Comm 2 complied with this request and presently hundreds of men women and children ? in various stages of shock and fright ? came to the Church seeking help and comfort which was quickly forthcoming....7:03AM: (Via Manhattan Radio)...?All 3rd alarm engine companies responding from Manhattan are to proceed to Sutphin Blvd and 103 Ave and prepare to relay water (from Superpumper)...?7:13AM: PROGRESS REPORT from Car 5: ?Fire front on 97 Ave., Allendale St, Liberty Ave & Cresskill Pl. Center of fire is a large gas main break at Brisbin & 101 Ave. There are an undetermined number of private residential homes that have been involved in fire. Unable to extinguish main body of fire which is caused by a large column of illuminating gas which is burning at a height of approximately 50 to 75 feet...Defensive lines have been established to attempt to confine fire to present involvement. 8:11AM: BY ORDER OF CAR 5: All companies up to and including the (original) 5th alarm assigned on Box 4758 are to be relieved at the scene & their relief are to report to 101 Ave. and Allendale St. Relief of all Boro Call units are to remain in quarters unless receiving special instructions...9:51AM: PROGRESS REPORT #8 FROM CAR 5: ?Structural fires under control...gas fires extinguished...gas leakage has not been controlled...overall control will not be given until gas leak is stopped.10:05AM: SOCONY GAS & OIL UNIT to respond...11:16AM: Satellite 1 in service... Satellites 2 & 3 still
operating...12:02PM: SUPERPUMPER SYSTEM leaving scene by orders of DAC Ratner...3:21PM: PROGRESS REPORT #9 FROM CAR 5: ?Gas leakage stopped...overall problem under control. Car 5 leaving the scene...END OF REPORT. UNQUOTE.
5:19AM: Box 4758 - E270, E298, L127, BC51 (first due units E303, L126 & BC50 were on another run). 5:31AM: 22-4758 - B/O BC51 ?for a massive gas rupture. Precautionary 2nd alarm transmitted to utilize companies to evacuate the neighborhood in conjunction with the NYPD. All units to report 1 block west of Cresskill Pl and 101 Ave and meet BC51. Citizens in immediate area are being evacuated. Brooklyn Union Gas urgently requested to respond immediately?. Response: E308, E302, E275, R4, L155, DC13, Searchlight 24, Safety Unit Car 500, Photo Unit, FC2, SAT3 and Car 956 (Satellite Officer). 5:36AM: Third alarm B/O DC13 (DC Winegar) - E315, E305, E301, L125, BC54...FD Ambulance 3, Superpumper System and Assistant Chief on duty ? Francis J Love (Car 8)...DC13 reported gas leak had erupted into a flaming holocaust!!! ?Flaming fire now erupting from manholes?...DOUBTFUL... 5:39AM: Fourth Alarm B/O DC13...E293, E317, E299 & L142...?BC51 to Queens----Have all 4th alarm companies respond in to fire and use heavy caliber streams in any direction possible. Special call two additional BC?s (BC50, BC39) and have them assume control on east side of fire at Allendale. Also notify Con Edison....? 5:47AM: Via Radio ? ?DC13 to Queens --- All 4th alarm units to respond North and West and assume defensive positions...TRANSMIT A FIFTH ALARM and have units approach from the East...SEVERAL BUILDINGS NOW INVOLVED!!? FIFTH ALARM: E319, E236, E252, E232 & L151...5:50AM: Car 5 ? Chief of Department JOHN T. O?HAGAN... ?Responding to Fifth alarm...notify gas utility companies to respond...emphasize this is a major incident...will require abnormal response of
(utilities)...everything available to be sent...Have high officials of such companies also respond 5:51AM: AC FRANCIS LOVE...?Have arrived at scene at 101 Avenue and Liverpool Street body of fire approximately 100? in diameter...Car 8 located 100? East of fire...approximately half a dozen buildings involved...practically impossible to enter the fire area...? 5:55AM: Car 8 ? ?Recommend to Car 5 (en-route) that a 3rd alarm Boro Call be transmitted?. Car 5 agreed and advised that instructions be given to units responding on Boro Call to have a chief in command of each sector and have them anticipate the arrival and control of companies responding...5:56AM: A 3rd alarm response of engines only normally assigned to Brooklyn Box 958 ? Atlantic & Bedford Aves. responded to Queens Box 4758...5:58AM: Car 8...?Have (Boro Call) companies respond in on Liberty & approximately 100 Ave. Send 4 companies to 101 Ave and Allendale?...1st alarm E235, E219, E280...2nd alarm: E214, E234, E209...3rd alarm: E249, E256, E230, E210...6:04AM: Car 8 ? ?Recommend to Car 5 that Boro Call be increased to a FIFTH ALARM & have these units respond in to 101 Ave. and Brisbin St.? Car 5 approved recommendation & radioed dispatcher to transmit 5th alarm Boro Call and to stand-by to receive instructions to set up a defense...Requested radio be kept clear for urgent fire traffic from Car 5 ? Chief of Dept. O?HAGAN. At 6:05AM the following report received from Car 5...?Center of fire incident is to be taken as 101 Ave & Brisbin St...East Front ? Allendale St; West Front ? Sanders Pl; North Front ? Atlantic Ave; South Front ? Liberty Av...Have one Staff Officer on each (of above) sectors or fronts... 6:06AM: 4th alarm: E211, E226, E217, E207; 5th alarm: E269, E222, E248, E220...6:14AM: TOWER LADDER #1 special called to scene by orders of Car 5...6:15AM: Satellite 1 to respond to 101 Ave & Brisbin; Satellite 2 to approach from North end of fire and stretch lines two blocks below fire area... 6:20AM: SUPERPUMPER responding to Sutphin Blvd & 103 Ave where a large 48? main was available for water supply...6:35AM: ?Car 5 to CITY-WIDE ?Prepare to transmit an additional Boro Call...will give order when required...have all utility companies respond to 101 Ave & Brisbin St?. 6:37AM: ?CITY-WIDE to Car 5?...CON ED and all
utilities notified and are responding...6:50AM: Car 5 advised all incoming Boro Call units & Tower Ladder to respond to Liverpool and 101 Aves. 6:56AM: ?BY ORDERS OF CAR 5 ? TRANSMIT AN ADDITIONAL 3RD ALARM BORO CALL?.6:57AM: A 3rd alarm response of engines only due to respond to Manhattan Box 174 Bowery and Canal St, were to respond instead to Queens Box 4758...1st alarm; E9, E55, E31...2nd alarm; E17, E15, E7, E32...3rd alarm; E27, E33, E13 and E10. 6:59AM: ?CITY-WIDE TO FIELD COMM UNIT? ?The American Red Cross requests all evacuees to respond to St Pius Church, 106 Ave & Liverpool St?...Field Comm 2 complied with this request and presently hundreds of men women and children ? in various stages of shock and fright ? came to the Church seeking help and comfort which was quickly forthcoming....7:03AM: (Via Manhattan Radio)...?All 3rd alarm engine companies responding from Manhattan are to proceed to Sutphin Blvd and 103 Ave and prepare to relay water (from Superpumper)...?7:13AM: PROGRESS REPORT from Car 5: ?Fire front on 97 Ave., Allendale St, Liberty Ave & Cresskill Pl. Center of fire is a large gas main break at Brisbin & 101 Ave. There are an undetermined number of private residential homes that have been involved in fire. Unable to extinguish main body of fire which is caused by a large column of illuminating gas which is burning at a height of approximately 50 to 75 feet...Defensive lines have been established to attempt to confine fire to present involvement. 8:11AM: BY ORDER OF CAR 5: All companies up to and including the (original) 5th alarm assigned on Box 4758 are to be relieved at the scene & their relief are to report to 101 Ave. and Allendale St. Relief of all Boro Call units are to remain in quarters unless receiving special instructions...9:51AM: PROGRESS REPORT #8 FROM CAR 5: ?Structural fires under control...gas fires extinguished...gas leakage has not been controlled...overall control will not be given until gas leak is stopped.10:05AM: SOCONY GAS & OIL UNIT to respond...11:16AM: Satellite 1 in service... Satellites 2 & 3 still
operating...12:02PM: SUPERPUMPER SYSTEM leaving scene by orders of DAC Ratner...3:21PM: PROGRESS REPORT #9 FROM CAR 5: ?Gas leakage stopped...overall problem under control. Car 5 leaving the scene...END OF REPORT. UNQUOTE.
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THE NORMANDY SHIP FIRE 1942.... https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=uss+normandy+fire .......... At the Wake for Ret DV*14 DC Mario Cherci there were pictures displayed...one of his appreciative Daughters showed me him climbing down a cargo net on the side of The Normandy as one of the last FDNY Members off the ship ...(not sure where he was working that day) at the time of his Funeral he was listed as the oldest FDNY Retiree......Retired DC Mario E. Cherchi Passed To A Higher Level on 1-11-13 at age 98 the oldest living FDNY Member....Reposing at Martin A. Gleason Funeral home 36-46 Bell Blvd Bayside QNS Fri 1-18-13 ...2-5 & 7-10....Mass Sat 1-19-13 at Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Bayside QNS.....internment @ Mt St Marys Cemetery................................REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.
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FIRE LINE BADGE .... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-c-1905-NYFD-FDNY-Fire-Lines-Badge-Gamewell-Fire-Box-Hallmarked/192100881877?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D2d3eb4bfde9d4511929a3aae1233cb85%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D172492726077