I would like to express my sincere appreciation to The Bendick Family; John, Tommy, and John Jr, and also Mike Messar (Truck 4), for organizing and setting up such a Great Member Meeting which took place on Friday Oct 7, 2011.
Anybody that was there would have no problems agreeing with me that this was certainly one of the Best. A few months ago, things looked a little "sour" but when that happened, they just picked up the ball and ran with it.
The day started with a tour of the FDNY Fire Academy. I had been there last year, but there was so much more to see. Both FDNY members Tommy and John Bendick Jr gave us a tour second to none. They brought us into the training areas behind the scene, where we could see the strenious training these New York City Firefighters are required to participate in. There wasn't a thing left out. In fact, I think we might have been there almost three hours. Thank you Tom and John. You guys did a great job. It was GREAT !!!
Next we went on to the Yonkers Special Operations Command of the Yonkers Fire Dept. There we were given a tour by Chief Fitzpatrick who is in charge of this Huge Operation. There is an entire building dedicated to this SOC Operation. Inside that building is kept the equipment required of the Yonkers Fire Department Special Operations Command. Along with some Reserve Pumpers there was a Reserve Squad Co as Sqd 21, A Field Comm Unit, A Decon Unit, A huge Trailer with all of the very latest equipment required in the form of extrication and building collapse. Even a small crane which was purchased from Army Surplus. Besides these vehicles there were every type of portable equipment that could be needed in basically any type of disaster. It was quite clear to me that somebody had done their homework. In addition we were told that the Yonkers Fire Dept has many members trained as HazMat Techs, and USAR Teams. I think its safe to say that we were all quite impressed with what we saw of the Yonkers Fire Dept. I would certainly like to Thank Chief Fitzpatrick for giving us such an Excellent and Detailed tour of The Yonkers Fire Department Special Operations Command. I think it is clear to see that Chief Fitzpatrick is very proud of the members of his Dept
Next around 4 pm we headed to the Homefield House were we were treated to I guess, what was referred to as a "snack" But, there was certainly plenty there to be considered a full meal, even by a "Super Heavy Weight" like myself. We were given handouts, and there were many WNYF, Fire Engineering, and Firehouse Magazines, all for the taking, donated by retired Capt John Bendick Sr. There were old company journals etc. While many of us ate and looked through the many artifacts, Tommy Bendick was setting up a slide show and an audio speaker for listening to those somewhat busier years of fire radio traffic.
I guess it was around 6 PM when we got the word that it was time to go to the Yonkers Police Emergency Service Headquarters. There we were greated by Yonkers ESU Police Officer Mike Messar and his long time partner.
ESU Officer Mike Messar (aka Truck 4) told us he has about 13 years on the job, 11 of which he has been with the ESU. We were told that there could be between 2-4 Emergency Service Trucks on duty during a given shift. Officer Messar started by showing us one of the newer standard ESU trucks. One of the differences between the newer and older trucks is that there is more seating room in the newer vehicles. Then we went inside where other ESU vehicles were parked. A large Command Vehicle, A new Swift Boat used by the Marine Division, a large Emergency Service Truck which carried a huge assortment of equipment, and an armored vehicle to be used during hostile situtations. We learned that there are approximately 45 Yonkers Police Officers assigned to the Emergency Service Division. It was an Excellent tour given by Yonkers ESU Officer Mike Messar and his partner. Thank you very much.
So then it was back to the Homefield House which was only a few miles from the Yonkers ESU Hqs. The chow was there. And Plenty of it. I mean everything from chips to beer. Salad to zities. What a Great job.
If you weren't there, then you sure missed a Great time. I promise you, anybody who was there would agree, it was the Best Ever. What a Great job done. The entire get together, I would have to say was a "Huge Success".
You just can't ask for a better group of people. I am very greatful for all the work and organizing that was put into this day.
I know that Zack K., took some pictures that he says he will post for us. Just a Great day, Some Great People, and by far some Great Chow.
Thank You.
Bill Dennis (aka Willy "D")
Anybody that was there would have no problems agreeing with me that this was certainly one of the Best. A few months ago, things looked a little "sour" but when that happened, they just picked up the ball and ran with it.
The day started with a tour of the FDNY Fire Academy. I had been there last year, but there was so much more to see. Both FDNY members Tommy and John Bendick Jr gave us a tour second to none. They brought us into the training areas behind the scene, where we could see the strenious training these New York City Firefighters are required to participate in. There wasn't a thing left out. In fact, I think we might have been there almost three hours. Thank you Tom and John. You guys did a great job. It was GREAT !!!
Next we went on to the Yonkers Special Operations Command of the Yonkers Fire Dept. There we were given a tour by Chief Fitzpatrick who is in charge of this Huge Operation. There is an entire building dedicated to this SOC Operation. Inside that building is kept the equipment required of the Yonkers Fire Department Special Operations Command. Along with some Reserve Pumpers there was a Reserve Squad Co as Sqd 21, A Field Comm Unit, A Decon Unit, A huge Trailer with all of the very latest equipment required in the form of extrication and building collapse. Even a small crane which was purchased from Army Surplus. Besides these vehicles there were every type of portable equipment that could be needed in basically any type of disaster. It was quite clear to me that somebody had done their homework. In addition we were told that the Yonkers Fire Dept has many members trained as HazMat Techs, and USAR Teams. I think its safe to say that we were all quite impressed with what we saw of the Yonkers Fire Dept. I would certainly like to Thank Chief Fitzpatrick for giving us such an Excellent and Detailed tour of The Yonkers Fire Department Special Operations Command. I think it is clear to see that Chief Fitzpatrick is very proud of the members of his Dept
Next around 4 pm we headed to the Homefield House were we were treated to I guess, what was referred to as a "snack" But, there was certainly plenty there to be considered a full meal, even by a "Super Heavy Weight" like myself. We were given handouts, and there were many WNYF, Fire Engineering, and Firehouse Magazines, all for the taking, donated by retired Capt John Bendick Sr. There were old company journals etc. While many of us ate and looked through the many artifacts, Tommy Bendick was setting up a slide show and an audio speaker for listening to those somewhat busier years of fire radio traffic.
I guess it was around 6 PM when we got the word that it was time to go to the Yonkers Police Emergency Service Headquarters. There we were greated by Yonkers ESU Police Officer Mike Messar and his long time partner.
ESU Officer Mike Messar (aka Truck 4) told us he has about 13 years on the job, 11 of which he has been with the ESU. We were told that there could be between 2-4 Emergency Service Trucks on duty during a given shift. Officer Messar started by showing us one of the newer standard ESU trucks. One of the differences between the newer and older trucks is that there is more seating room in the newer vehicles. Then we went inside where other ESU vehicles were parked. A large Command Vehicle, A new Swift Boat used by the Marine Division, a large Emergency Service Truck which carried a huge assortment of equipment, and an armored vehicle to be used during hostile situtations. We learned that there are approximately 45 Yonkers Police Officers assigned to the Emergency Service Division. It was an Excellent tour given by Yonkers ESU Officer Mike Messar and his partner. Thank you very much.
So then it was back to the Homefield House which was only a few miles from the Yonkers ESU Hqs. The chow was there. And Plenty of it. I mean everything from chips to beer. Salad to zities. What a Great job.
If you weren't there, then you sure missed a Great time. I promise you, anybody who was there would agree, it was the Best Ever. What a Great job done. The entire get together, I would have to say was a "Huge Success".
You just can't ask for a better group of people. I am very greatful for all the work and organizing that was put into this day.
I know that Zack K., took some pictures that he says he will post for us. Just a Great day, Some Great People, and by far some Great Chow.
Thank You.
Bill Dennis (aka Willy "D")
