Low clearance what does fdny do ?

[Charging in 113]

Hey I would like to know about low Clarence what does FDNY do if a bridge is two low for the rig to fit under ? I know they don't want to damage there trucks and have a spare for a month or two or lose the whole truck in general. Are there Any tight spots in new york city where trucks have trouble ??  Or did the fdny buld the new fleet were they are the right size to fit under all of the over passes and rail road tracks even tho there aren't many in nyc???
  Has a fire truck hit a over pass before what would b the operations of response I know I am asking for alot but what can I say I am a buff.

 

[tbendick]

Only problems I recall have been during construction.

Two rearmounts hit a bridge on the Henry Hudson parkway.

 

[FD347]

I don't recall any issues with overpasses. Renovated firehouses, yes. Overpasses, no.

 

[3511]

I was told the story by my father that when the Triboro bridge opened in the 1930s it provided a new capability for the FDNY. Bronx / Queens Companies could now respond or relocate across the bridge. Oops! First tiller truck could not fit through the toll booths.

 

[Bulldog]

I was told the story by my father that when the Triboro bridge opened in the 1930s it provided a new capability for the FDNY. Bronx / Queens Companies could now respond or relocate across the bridge. Oops! First tiller truck could not fit through the toll booths.

Hopefully, they found this out before they had a problem.  If a tiller truck hit the booths I'd certainly like to see a picture.

 

[3511]

No,  It did not crash into the booth. As I remember the story, it was a big deal when the old bells clanged out the signal moving a Queens company to a Bronx incident for the first time. (Those of us who remember the bells should try to reconstruct that signal.) The company realized the problem as they approached the tolls. Don't remember whether the truck was too high or too wide. Those who remember the old time toll booths and the size of commercial trucks can see how this could have happened.

 

[memory master]

I'll give it I try, ex: 99-17-117-66-29.

 

[3511]

Sounds about right master. But do I remember That the company Receiving the relocation Went first On the bells?...I.e.' 17---48---29 meant that ladder 29 relocated to ladder 48. Not sure after all these years. If so would that flip the order of your signal?

 

[lucky]

The adage was "What,Where,Who"    17-29-116 was for L 116 to relocate to L29. The 66 boro signal was for a Bronx box number. Signal 7-2210-116 was a special call for L116 to Bronx box 2210. That is how it was sent out in the Bronx.
Signal 66-7-2210-116 was sent out in Queens so the housewatch at L 116 knew that they were responding to Manhattan or the Bronx box 2210 and not to Brooklyn or Staten Island box 2210.

 

[FD347]

The borough prefix 66 was for Manhattan AND Bronx. When the boxes were first installed the numbers were sequential starting at the Battery and going north to the Westchester/Yonkers line. Manhattan boxes are under 2199 and Bronx boxes are 2200 and higher.

With the exception of special box numbers like 6666, 1000 and the 8000 series, this holds true today.

 

[3511]

Not quite, 347. Bronx boxes begin at 2103 (Cypress ave at E 139 St). I believe the only 2-series boxes in Manhattan are at Battery Park City (20--).

Prior to a total revamp in the 1920's, Bronx boxes were numbered 132 to 998. To differentiate them from similar Manhattan boxes they were preceded by a 2 (then-xxx) on the bells. (Until about 1906 Manhattan and Bronx were the same circuits and all any any signals banged out in all firehouses in both boroughs.

 

[FD347]

I stand corrected. I was 100 off, 2099 and 2100. The highest Mhtn box is 2039, Chambers & N End Ave.

 

[811]

Similarly Brooklyn AND Queens used borough preliminary 77.  There was then no duplication of Box Numbers; Brooklyn to about 3900, Queens 4000 and above.  In more modern times boxes were added and duplication between those boroughs began. 99 for Queens did not start till after 1947 as the attached document shows.

To clarify the relocation signals, borough preliminary was never used since there was only one unit number of that type (Engine, Truck, etc) citywide.  Another reminder the relocation preliminary signals 15, 17, etc consisted of that many consecutive taps, not two separate digits like a box number etc would be.