Code Red: On the Job with the Providence, RI Fire Department

[fdny1075k]

Code Red!! On The Job With The Providence Fire Department (1990) -- Full Length 17 Minutes

Although not FDNY, here's a classic video I found on the Providence Fire Department from 1990.

Providence is one of the largest fire departments in New England and one of the busiest, protecting 178,000 people living in 18 square miles. They run 14 Engines, 8 Ladders, 1 Special Hazards(Heavy Rescue), and 6 ALS Ambulances out of 14 Fire Stations in 2 Battalions. At the time of the video, the PFD had 15 Engines in service, as Engine 1 and the Special Hazards Unit ran calls together. Today, the Special Hazards Unit is fully-staffed and Engine 1 was disbanded.

 

[nfd2004]

If the FDNY was taken off the map, I would probadly rate the Providence Fire Dept as "The Best". In the late 70s and into the 80s the Providence Fire Dept had their own set of War Years. As "fdny1075k" says it is a city of 15 Engines, 8 Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue. The downtown area has its high rises and throughout much of the rest of the city is large wood frames and many factories.

  And like the FDNY, Providence had their busy Fourth of Julys. I remember buffing them one year and from 9 pm to 1 am they fought 8 serious building fires in that four hour period. Plus 400 other Fire Calls, plus EMS runs. They would be required to bring in mutual aid from other surrounding towns during these hours and man all their reserve rigs. One of those involved a 3 1/2 frame and spread to both exposures which were also the same. The dept is very aggressive and if at all possible will put the fire out from the inside.

  Some Engines and trucks respond with 3 members only, others have 4. Recently they just closed down Battalion 2, and now covering the city is One Division Deputy Chief and one Battalion Chief. They have gone to a digital radio system which very much limits the distance it can be heard. Prior to that they were on 154.37 mhz and I was able to pick them up at my home 50 miles away. And on a good night I would also hear the Brooklyn C.O. (120 miles away). Some great listening.

  I think the video tells a good story of the Providence, R.I. Fire Dept.