Staten Island in 1934, put on your thinking caps

[guitarman314]

   This card for Staten Island Box 31 is the oldest card I have in my collection. In 1934 the only way into Staten Island was via Staten Island Ferry, Holland Tunnel (1927) and the Bayonne Bridge (1929). There were a few double engine companies [5, 7, 13, 18, 26, 30, 31, & 33] in Manhattan that relocated one section and some companies appear twice because the relocators responded later on in the 4th & 5th alarms as the original companies.

 

[efd274]

Things didn't change much either until the Verrazano bridge opened around 1964.  Noticed that only two ladder companies were assigned - one on each of the first two alarms - 78 and 77 respectively with 83 relocating to 77 on the 2nd alarm and 81 relocating to 83 on the second alarm.  What did they do for the box on the third though fifth alarms?  Would they special call trucks or just not make an assignment. Also how about a rescue unit which I think was generally assigned on a second alarm or was that later on?

This is great stuff to see the evolution of FDNY responses. Thanks again G'man!

 

[guitarman314]

    Yes, and the ladder company apparatus on Staten Island were older and in some cases only City Service ladder trucks. For instance in 1946 Ladders 76, 81, 82 & 84 ran with 1926 Pierce Arrow 50 ft. city service trucks (no aerial). L77 had a 1914 ALF 65 ft. aerial pulled by a 1930 FWD tractor, and L79 and L80 both had 1918 ALF 65 ft. aerials.

 

[johnd248]

Looking at Guitarman's assignment card for that SI box, it is amazing how many Manhattan and Brooklyn companies assigned to either respond or relocate have long since been disbanded.

 

[mack]

Guitarman - Great bit of light shed on SI history with your assignment card.  I grew up on SI after leaving Bklyn and wanted to add that there was also the possibility of additional ferry travel.  Several ferries ran between SI and NJ.  There was also the 69th St Ferry from Bklyn to SI, but it was apparently not in service in 1934 or the ferry was too small for fire apparatus.  Thanks for the post.