FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

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mack

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Newspaper account of fire:

   


Memorial fund $2500:

   


Members of Engine 251 approx. 1920:

   
 
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In the photo of 251's Washington Ave. quarters, can any one read what truck company was in there with them at the time?
 

mack

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memory master said:
In the photo of 251's Washington Ave. quarters, can any one read what truck company was in there with them at the time?

Memory Master -  H & L 119 

Another picture of firehouse:

   
 
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mack said:
    Engine 51 BFD organized 47/48 Washington Avenue to protect the Wallabout Market area of Brooklyn    1897
    Engine 51 BFD became Engine 51 FDNY when Brooklyn became part of NYC                                          1898
    Engine 51 became Engine 151                                                                                                            1899 
    Engine 151 became Engine 251                                                                                                          1913
    Engine 251 moved 166 Clymer Street at Engine 211 due to World War II expansion of Navy Yard            1941
    Engine 251 moved new firehouse 26 Hooper Street w/Engine 211                                                        1944
    Engine 251 disbanded                                                                                                                      1946
    Engine 251 reorganized new firehouse 254-20 Union Turnpike, Queens                                                1952
Engine 326 in Brooklyn was disbanded on the same day that Engine 251 in Queens was reorganized.
 

mack

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fdhistorian said:
Engine 326 in Brooklyn was disbanded on the same day that Engine 251 in Queens was reorganized.

Engine 326 Brooklyn was originally a second section of Engine 245 on W 8th Street. Engine 245-2 was in service 1904-1939 and was the 4th Coney Island engine company (Engines 244, 245, 245-2 or 326 and 318).  Coney Island was a major recreational area with huge crowds and it saw many major fires.



 

mack

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Effort to achieve NYC Landmark Status for Queens firehouse - Squad 288/Hazmat 1:

   

   



Rejected by commission in 2014:

http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2014/07/31/landmarks-commission-rejects-maspeth-fire-house-designation/


Effort in 2013 by group to request status:

http://www.junipercivic.com/juniperberryarticle.asp?nid=1354#.VPHXCFI5CUk

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/nyregion/seeking-landmark-status-for-a-nondescript-firehouse-that-lost-many-on-sept-11.html?_r=0



What NYC Landmark Status means:

    "It means your building has special historical, cultural, or aesthetic value to the City of New York, state or nation, is an important part of the City's heritage and that LPC must approve in advance any alteration, reconstruction, demolition, or new construction affecting the designated building."      http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/designation.shtml


Current NYC Landmarked firehouses:

    E 228, E 83/L 29, E 268/L 137, E 55, E 65, E 73/L 42, E 23, E 46/L 27, E 33/L 9, E 240, S 41, E 305/L 151, former E 54/L 4, former E 53/L 43, E 258/L 115, E 67, E 60/L 17, E 253, E 39/L 16, E 36, E 84/L 34, E 47, S 252, E 7/L 1, former E 31, E 289/L 138, former E 207/L 110/L 118/WT 6/R 2/Brooklyn Fire Headquarters, Brooklyn Central Office

    https://foursquare.com/p/landmarks-preservation-commission/48035203/list/new-york-citys-landmark-firehouses


 

mack

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3 FDNY firehouses have federal recognition - National Register of Historic Places status:

Former - Engine Company 31
Engine Company 33 and Ladder Company 9
Former - Old Brooklyn Fire Headquarters (FDNY companies - Engine 207/Ladder 110/Ladder 118/Water Tower 6/Battalion 31 - also had BFD companies)


The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation. A property listed in the National Register, or located within a National Register Historic District, may qualify for tax incentives derived from the total value of expenses incurred preserving the property.  The passage of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in 1966 established the National Register and the process for adding properties to it.



 

mack

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Ladder 123/Engine 227/Engine 234 firehouses  Crown Heights, Brooklyn

    Ladder 73 organized new firehouse 423 Avenue                  1907
    Ladder 73 became Ladder 123                                          1913
    Ladder 123 new firehouse 1352 St. Johns Place                  1977

    Engine 27 BFD organized 979 Herkimer Street                    1889
    Engine 27 BFD became Engine 27 FDNY                            1898
    Engine 27 became Engine 127                                          1899
    Engine 127 became Engine 227                                        1913
    Engine 227 moved 423 Ralph Avenue at Ladder 123          1949

    Engine 34 BFD organized 1472 Bergen Street                      1893
    Engine 34 BFD became Engine 34 FDNY                              1898
    Engine 34 became Engine 134                                            1899
    Engine 134 became Engine 234                                          1913
    Engine 234 moved to 1352 St Johns Place at Ladder 123      1977

    Battalion 38 organized 395 4th Avenue at Engine 139          1906
    Battalion 38 moved 231 Herkimer Street at Engine 114        1906
    Battalion 38 moved 1472 Bergen Street at Engine 234        1948
    Battalion 38 moved 1352 St Johns Place at Ladder 123        1977


423 Ralph Avenue firehouse opens:

   


423 Ralph Avenue quarters for Engine 227 former quarters for Ladder 123:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 73 (123) members in front of 423 Ralph Avenue quarters:

   


Ladder 123 at 423 Ralph Avenue:

   

    1954 Pirsch:
   

    1968 ALF 100 ft:
   


Engine 27 BFD:

   


979 Herkimer Street former quarters for Engine 227:

    Engine 227:
   

    Current:
   


Engine 227 1941 Mack at 423 Ralph Avenue:

   


Engine 227:

   

   

   


1472 Bergen Street former quarters for Engine 234 (current quarters for Rescue 2):

   

   



Engine 234/Ladder 123/Battalion 38 firehouse 1352 St Johns Place:

    Ladder 123 w/Engine 231:
   

   

   

   

   

   


Ladder 123:

   

   

   

   

   

   


Engine 234/Ladder 123:

    1990s working fire:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOEUhLkHgUs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQD6bFhKy-E

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_no2T7Z9-g


Engine 227 responding:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAhhNh0eSkk



LODDs:

    Engineer John B. Barget, Engine 234, Box 77-359, died responding to alarm, October 5, 1913

    FF Henry J. Helmken, Ladder 123, World War I US Army, died Camp Mills from disease, October 13, 1918

    FF Bernard O'Kane, Engine 227, Box 77-853, 1015-1017 Putnam Avenue, fell from roof, December 25, 1927

         

   
    Lt John Seeman, Engine 227, Box 77-33-1662, January 2, 1935

         


    Captain James A Walsh, Engine 234, died February 15, 1956


    FF Joseph Johnson, Jr, Engine 234, Box 77-22-3935, overcome at cellar fire, September 1, 1973:

         


    FF John J. Toomey, Ladder 123, Box 75-1032, heart attack on roof of fire building, December 6, 1987:

         

         


    Never forget.


Ladder 123 Centennial:

    http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/events/2007/110707a.shtml








 
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mack said:
    Battalion 38 organized 395 4th Avenue at Engine 139          1906
    Battalion 38 moved 231 Herkimer Street at Engine 114        1906
    Battalion 38 moved 1472 Bergen Street at Engine 234        1948
    Battalion 38 moved 1352 St Johns Place at Ladder 123        1977

On April 15, 1906 the battalion at 395 4th Avenue was renumbered from 38 to 48.  It remained there until 1930.

On April 15, 1906 the battalion at 231 Herkimer Street was renumbered from 28 to 38.  It remained there until 1948.

Battalion 28 was later reorganized in 1969 from Battalion 37-2, after an absence of 63 years.
 
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Additional LODD's from E-227, E-234, L-123:

LIEUTENANT JOHN H. SEEMAN ENGINE 227 JANUARY 2, 1935

FIREFIGHTER JOSEPH JOHNSON JR. ENGINE 234 SEPTEMBER 1, 1973 (Overcome at a cellar fire)

FIREFIGHTER JOHN J. TOOMEY LADDER 123 DECEMBER 6, 1987 (Heart attack on roof of fire building)
 

mack

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69 METS said:
Additional LODD's from E-227, E-234, L-123:

LIEUTENANT JOHN H. SEEMAN ENGINE 227 JANUARY 2, 1935

FIREFIGHTER JOSEPH JOHNSON JR. ENGINE 234 SEPTEMBER 1, 1973 (Overcome at a cellar fire)

FIREFIGHTER JOHN J. TOOMEY LADDER 123 DECEMBER 6, 1987 (Heart attack on roof of fire building)

Thanks 69 Mets.  Fire in 1935 killed Lieutenant John Seeman of Engine 227 and FF Cornelius Healy of Engine 233 when a stair collapsed.


Lt John Seeman, Engine 227, Box 77-33-1662, January 2, 1935

FF Cornelius Healy, Engine 233, Box 77-33-1662, January 2, 1935



 

mack

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69 METS said:
Additional LODD's from E-227, E-234, L-123:

LIEUTENANT JOHN H. SEEMAN ENGINE 227 JANUARY 2, 1935

FIREFIGHTER JOSEPH JOHNSON JR. ENGINE 234 SEPTEMBER 1, 1973 (Overcome at a cellar fire)

FIREFIGHTER JOHN J. TOOMEY LADDER 123 DECEMBER 6, 1987 (Heart attack on roof of fire building)


FF Joseph Johnson, Jr, Engine 234, Box 77-22-3935, overcome at cellar fire, September 1, 1973:

   


FF John J. Toomey, Ladder 123, Box 75-1032, heart attack on roof of fire building, December 6, 1987:

   

   


Never forget.
 

mack

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FF John J. Toomey, Ladder 123, Box 75-1032:

NY Times December 7, 1987
 
"Firefighter Is Stricken and Woman Falls to Death at Brooklyn Blaze

    By ARI L. GOLDMAN 
   
A 38-year-old firefighter died early yesterday after suffering a heart attack while working on the roof of a burning building in Brooklyn, the authorities said.

And a resident of the building, Hazel Willis, 44, died when she fell from her kitchen window at 601 Crown Street in the early morning fire in the Crown Heights section in an apparent attempt to escape, said a Fire Department spokesman, John Mulligan.

The firefighter, John Toomey, was an eight-year veteran of the department. Mr. Toomey, who had completed requirements for promotion to lieutenant, was the third firefighter to die in the line of duty this year.

A preliminary investigation found that the fire was caused by a defective refrigerator, fire officials said. The fire, which took about 40 minutes to be brought under control, was confined to Mrs. Willis's apartment.

At the firehouse where Mr. Toomey worked, Ladder 123 in Crown Heights, there was grief. Mr. Toomey, who was 6 feet 5, weighed 250 pounds and had played on the Fire Department football team, was known as ''Big Jack.''

''If you were ever in trouble he was the man you wanted to come in for you,'' said Firefighter John Moran, a member of the ladder company. ''Nothing would stop Big Jack.''

Mr. Toomey was married and had two sons, ages 3 and 4. Top Floor in Flames

When the company arrived, there were flames on the top floor of the four-story brick building. There was heavy smoke as Mr. Toomey and three other firefighters climbed to the roof to ventilate the building. This procedure involves cutting a hole in the roof so that the heat and smoke can escape.

Firefighters at Ladder 123 said Mr. Toomey grabbed his chest while working on the roof, but seemed to be all right. One of the firefighters with him joked, ''Big Jack, you better be O.K. I don't think we can carry you down.''

Mr. Toomey seemed to smile, the firefighters said, and then collapsed. He was carried from the roof, but efforts to revive him failed. He died at Kings County Hospital.

In a fire last night in Brooklyn's Bensonhurst section, a 65-year-old woman, Edith Nordquist, was found dead in bed in her home at 2065 57th Street. Fire officials said they did not know the cause of the blaze."
 

mack

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FF John Toomey's son, FDNY Paramedic Michael Toomey, was awarded the Lt. Kirby McElhearn Medal in 2012 for life saving actions at a Brooklyn fire on Fulton Street, July 26, 2011.  He was awarded the medal with partner Paramedic Samatha Neverson:


 
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Had many occasions to work alongside Jack Toomey when i was still a FF in R*2 & he was a FF in neighboring LAD*123.....one particular Job was in the projects in between both our qtrs it was a cold February night (possibly Valentines Day)in 1987 the Fire was on the 9th Fl & we were on the floor above searching when we saw & heard people in the adjoining project building yelling & pointing towards the Fire bldg.....when i leaned out the window to see what they were pointing at i saw a naked guy a few windows over & below us he had slithered past the child guard & was squatting on the outside sill clinging to the child guard the Fire was still not knocked down.....these windows were on the back side of the bldg not facing the street .......Jack & i went to the room directly over the victim & removed the window & child guard Jack was going to lower me w/the lifesaving rope .....back then it was a different procedure than today ....the rope was not tied off to anything....the lowering FF WAS the substantial object in this case it was to be Jack.....i could not think of any FF other than him that i would have considered more "substantial"......while we were removing the window & child guard & tying me up FF Dick W. longtime 123 Chauf had become aware of the situation & drove the RM over a few chainlink fences & raised the aerial to the 9th Fl & got to the victim first.....he recd a Dept Medal for his actions on Medal Day 1988......Continued RIP Jack.
 
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68jk09 said:
Had many occasions to work alongside Jack Toomey when i was still a FF in R*2 & he was a FF in neighboring LAD*123.....one particular Job was in the projects in between both our qtrs it was a cold February night (possibly Valentines Day)in 1987 the Fire was on the 9th Fl & we were on the floor above searching when we saw & heard people in the adjoining project building yelling & pointing towards the Fire bldg.....when i leaned out the window to see what they were pointing at i saw a naked guy a few windows over & below us he had slithered past the child guard & was squatting on the outside sill clinging to the child guard the Fire was still not knocked down.....these windows were on the back side of the bldg not facing the street .......Jack & i went to the room directly over the victim & removed the window & child guard Jack was going to lower me w/the lifesaving rope .....back then it was a different procedure than today ....the rope was not tied off to anything....the lowering FF WAS the substantial object in this case it was to be Jack.....i could not think of any FF other than him that i would have considered more "substantial"......while we were removing the window & child guard & tying me up FF Dick W. longtime 123 Chauf had become aware of the situation & drove the RM over a few chainlink fences & raised the aerial to the 9th Fl & got to the victim first.....he recd a Dept Medal for his actions on Medal Day 1988......Continued RIP Jack.

  Chief JK, thank you for that story. I continue to be amazed with some of the stories that come out involving the FDNY. What the members do and how they make things work, sometimes beyond the limits, goes beyond the unthinkable.
 
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I'll second that Nfd. I would love to have the opportunity to sit and listen and learn from your experiences Chief . Just a wealth of history shared by you and others on this site
 
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Complete agreement.  One question, Chief.  It's getting late on Saturday night and the bulbs are dimming.  What is "RM" (...drove the RM over a few chainlink fences..")?

Thanks.
 
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manhattan said:
Complete agreement.  One question, Chief.  It's getting late on Saturday night and the bulbs are dimming.  What is "RM" (...drove the RM over a few chainlink fences..")?

Thanks.
RM=rear mount apparatus
 
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''If you were ever in trouble he was the man you wanted to come in for you,'' said Firefighter John Moran, a member of the ladder company. ''Nothing would stop Big Jack.''

John Moran was another great firefighter who I was fortunate to have worked with at St. John's East. Both Jack and John started as proby's in E-234 and eventually went across the floor to L-123. John Moran was murdered in the line of duty on 9/11/01. At the time he was a B.C. in the Rescue Battalion and had just completed his tour. He grabbed his gear and responded with D.C. Downey.
 
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