TACTICAL CONTROL UNITS

[Fireinfo101]

What are the Tactical Control Units? What was their purpose? What are there equivalent's today in the FDNY?

Thanks.

 

[1261Truckie]

TCU's were organized to augment the regular companies during the War Years (i.e. a period of tremendous running and fire duty). They were engine companies and truck companies which operated during high incidence times (3:30 PM to 12:30 AM) and were meant to get more manpower into areas that needed additional companies. They also provided some relief for the existing companies.. The apparatus used by TCU's were stored in outlying areas and driven to their assigned houses for duty. At the end of their shift, the men and apparatus would return to the firehouse where the rig was stored and then do it over the next day.
I do not believe there is an equivalent in today's FDNY 

 

[mack]

TCUs - Truck Companies:

 

[raybrag]

TCU engine:

 

[nfd2004]

There was a book that came out called: "The Fires - how a computer formula, big ideas, and best intentions burned down New York City" by Joe Flood. I believe in that book there is some mention of the TCUs.

I think Amazon still has it.

 

[raybrag]

And, of course, many mentions of Ladder 712 in Dennis Smith's classic Report from Engine Co. 82.

 

[turk132]

WNYF 1/70

 

[68jk09]

In the 4 photos in reply # 2 above .....photos 1 & 2 show TCU*712  in front of their operating Qtrs with 82/85/31 & BN*27.. their non operational storage Qtrs was ENG*43..........photo 3 shows TCU*731 in front of their storage Qtrs ENG*288 ..during operational hours they were at 209/102/BN*34......photo 4 shows TCU*732 the only ALF RM (which originally was Maroon until the Shops repainted it Red a few years later) on Myrtle Ave by their storage Qtrs of 286/135..their operational Qtrs was ENG*277......The storage Qtrs were in a slow area & where the TCU Rig was stored during their Non operational hours & were the TCU Men would report to & park their cars & change clothes then take the Rig to the Operational Qtrs & respond almost non stop during the Adaptive Response hours .....the TCUs were in service to relieve the workload of busy Units & add availability during the busy hours however i was in 108 then & we were bracketed by 731 & 732 & it was so busy then that they really did little to reduce our running but did add an additional Truck to the area. 

 

[STAjo]

Informative, and comprehensive stuff, men.

Great work, Many Thanks to  turk132, Chief 'jk', mack, ray & all the rest of da' Gang !  8)

 

[mack]

TCU 731 FRONT...... https://www.ebay.com/itm/134026678272?hash=item1f349cd000:g:w7MAAOSwEyliDWyU

 

[mack]

 

[OMalley]

While the TCUs are no longer used, the concept lives on within EMS operations. There are two station/battalion level commands (the Bronx Tactical Response Group and and the Queens Tactical Response Group) which exclusively operate tactical or ‘enhancement’ units.

These stations do not run overnight units; all units are Tour 2 only. Instead of being designated by the battalion in which they are located, the call signs for these ambulances are designated with a number 8, followed by the number of the EMS Division in which they are located. Like other units, the call sign is completed with a letter. For example, 84B would be a QTRG BLS unit and 82F would be a BxTRG BLS unit. (Note: the TRGs do not run ALS units.)

The Bronx TRG is located at EMS Station 18, next door to the quarters of Rescue Co. 3. The Queens TRG is located on the grounds of Queens General Hospital, around the corner from the new EMS Station 50. The units log on at their respective stations and are deployed throughout the city as needed. These units are sent to areas of high call volume or to backfill units that are OOS during peak hours (tour 2).

 

[JohnnyGage]

Kind of talking about complete different "tactical" units. If we just using the name tactical, then we can also refer to FDNY Tactical Support unit.

 

[nfd2004]

View attachment 16980

In reply # 12, notice in the photo of TCU 731, the axes are removed from their holders outside the cab.
They were carried "inside the cab".

As I remember, this was NOT unique just to this piece of fire apparatus, but to ALL of the apparatus during this time frame.

Reason being, equipment would be stolen right off of the rig by some of the civilian population then.
Actually in this photo, "I'm guessing the can remains outside because the rider is there to watch, and he grabs it when they go on a run".

By the way Thank You, some EXCELLENT Photos presented here and credit due to those who took them.

 

[grumpy grizzly]

The Jan/Feb 2022 issue of FAJ has information on the TCU's in the New York City 50 year update, pages 25-26