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FDNY NEWS
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AUGUST, 2014
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STEVE WHITE
The FDNY and Richmond Engine Company 1 responded to a car and motorcycle accident on Park St. and Amboy Road in Staten Island.
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August, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
STEVE SOLOMONSON
STEVE WHITE
Fifth alarm in Staten Island On June 5, 2014, 5-5 Box 0469 was struck at 1:27 a.m. for two private dwellings at 203-205 Chestnut Avenue in Staten Island with exposures 2, 4 and 4A involved. The first due units transmitted an all hands on arrival with people trapped on the second floor of 205 Chestnut Ave at 1:27 a.m. DC08 arrived on the scene and transmitted a second alarm a minute later. At 1:30 a.m., DC08 requested
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a third alarm for fire in exposures two and four, with the original fire building fully involved. A total of eleven 10-45's, one 10-45-2 and ten 10-45 code 4's were evaluated by FDNY EMS. At 3:43 a.m., a fifth alarm was transmitted with a total of seven
lines stretched and operating with two tower ladders. A 10-41-1 was also transmitted for a heavy volume of fire upon arrival. The fire was deemed under control at 8:55 a.m. Multiple FDNY members were also evaluated by EMS with minor injuries. - STEVE WHITE
STEVE SOLOMONSON
SUV slams into 7-11 FRED BACCHI
Commercial florist fire On June 29, 2014 at approximately 11:30 p.m. FDNY units responded to a fire in a commercial florist. The fire building was a one story brick 75x100. The fire was located in the rear and spread into the cockloft. As conditions on the roof were deteriorating, reports from inside indicated main body of fire was knocked down. An additional engine and truck were ordered and the truck was to be a tower ladder. The fire was placed under control at 11:57 p.m.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on June 6, 2014 a woman lost control of her SUV and slammed it right into the front of the 711 store located in Brooklyn at 1970 Ralph Ave in the Flatlands section. The woman lost control and slammed right through the front of the 7-11 store, causing extensive damage. The FDNY was on scene investigating and the Chief of the 58th Battalion ordered Res2cuE to continue to the scene to check the structural integrity of the building. EMS transported the driver to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
August, 2014
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ALLEN EPSTEIN
All hands in Woodhaven, Queens On July 1, 2014, FDNY firefighters were alerted to a fire at 89th Street and 91st Avenue in Woodhaven Queens. Crews arrived at the two story private home and found fire on the second floor. Two hose lines were used to extinguish the fire. Crews had a quick knock down and discovered no extension.
JOHN HOPPER
Three alarms in the Bronx At approximately 2:00 p.m. on June 6th, the Bronx Communications office started receiving numerous calls reporting a fire at 2114 Lacombe Avenue. They sent a response of four engines, two trucks, Rescue 3, Squad 61 and Battalion 20. Engine Company 64 gave a 1075 from two blocks away due to a large column of smoke in the distance. Once Battalion 20 arrived on scene, they advised they were using All Hands for a fire on the first floor of a three story attached private dwelling. Battalion 20 then requested the second alarm because the fire had
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extended to the second and third floors. Moments later, Division 6 arrived and transmitted a third alarm due to the fire extending to the cockloft. The fire was placed under control about two hours later. The initial response included Engines 64, 96, 89, and 94; Ladder 47 and 54; Rescue 3; Squad 61; and Battalion 20. Once the 10-75 was transmitted, Tower Ladder 50 was assigned as the FAST truck along with Divi-
sion 6. On the second alarm, Engines 97, 88, 72 transporting Satellite 2; Ladders 41 and 27; Rescue and Safety Battalions; Tactical Support Unit 1; Battalion 26 as the Safety Officer; Battalion 17 as the Rescource Unit Leader; and the Field Comm. Responding on the third alarm were Engines 45, 90, 82, 73, 46, 71; Ladders 31, 61, and 58; Battalions 15, 20, and 18 as the Firefighting chief; and the 43 from Brooklyn as the Air Recon chief; and Engine 35 as the communications unit. - JOHN HOPPER
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Four alarms needed in Brooklyn On July 4, 2014, four alarms were needed to bring a fire in Brooklyn under control. FDNY firefighters were alerted to a fire at Clarkson Avenue and Rockaway Parkway. Crews arrived to find a six brick H type apartment house with fire on the top floor in several apartments and the cockloft. Numerous hand lines were used to extinguish the fire.
STEVE WHITE
Engine 231 operating at second alarm, 335 Rockaway Ave., Brooklyn.
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August, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
The need for a social media presence – don’t be a dinosaur EMS ISSUE CHELLE CORDERO
If your agency has all the funding it needs, is overflowing with volunteers or employees, has an abundance of community support and has no need for charitable donations – then this article is not for you. However if your agency, like the majority nationwide, is struggling for survival, needs people to fill the schedule, and has to raise funds with mailings, buckets and more – then you need to improve your social media presence. Facebook, Twitter, Googleplus, websites and email aren’t evil; used right these sites will help establish an open line of communication with your members, improve the rapport you have in the community and attract new volunteers/members and donations. Although there might be those resistant to using the computer (often self-proclaimed dinosaurs), including some in administration, you are handicapping your agency’s growth and well-being if you resist a solid web-presence. Don’t let administrators forget what is good for the corps in order to avoid their own discomfort. Social media is the way of most business nowadays, and non-profits can certainly benefit; social media includes blogs, website, public photos AND interactive social networking sites. Your websites can advertise services and your mission statement, make it easy for people to find employment and volunteer opportunities, and help build rapport with the community where you are seeking support. Put every member on an email list and blast out events and special notices. Use an online scheduling system so members can easily fill your schedule and everyone can see what shifts are open. While board business should be handled during face-to-face meetings, sending out documents for review beforehand will save time and improve efficiency. Having a website allows the community to know more about you and allows them a connection which can pay off in support. The website should be an upto-date reflection of your agency. Use your site to announce community classes, post monthly reports about how many calls you
responded to, let them know if you have a loan closet or do non-emergency transports. You should also post your Privacy Policy and procedures for patients to request their records. Publicly congratulate your members, especially when they are members of the community, for their accomplishments, years of service, etc. Make sure you post a membership application (for download) on your site, the easier you make it for someone to volunteer, the easier it is to recruit new members. Posting a FaceBook page is a good idea, but make sure you have a couple of moderators who can and will frequently monitor postings so you can avoid anyone “airing dirty laundry”, but by all means allow interactive discussion with the community. Even if you’ve still decided that your agency does not need social media, you still need to establish a Social Media policy – your members (many of them at least) probably have FaceBook, Twitter, Google-plus or some other social site. Aside from avoiding any HIPPA violations, you should have a policy in place to discourage minor disagreements from being aired publicly and turned into something bigger which could negatively impact the public’s opinion of your organization. While First Amendment Freedom-of-Speech should never be denied, a municipal ambulance agency represents the local government and hopefully nothing should be posted that is detrimental to the agency or the town. However while you can mandate HIPPA compliance, any other policy regulations should be strongly “recommended” and legal advice should be sought before disciplining any member who may not follow the guidelines. It’s a good idea to form a Social Media “Team”; the team should work cooperatively with your Public Relations/Publicity team to ensure that vital information is going out to everyone, but its task should be specific. There are several hosting sites that are easy do-it-yourself as well as hosted and inexpensive, you don’t need much computer savvy to maintain a website, blog or networking page. Between the proven advantages of an agency having a web presence and the ease of doing just that, there really is no reason not to engage in active social media.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Two alarms in Brooklyn On June 16th, a fire broke out in a private home at Autumn and Sutter Avenues in Brooklyn. Crews arrived to find fire int he basement with extension to the first floor. Three hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.
PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
ROBERT PAV (FDNY RETIRED)
FDNY Division 11
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
August, 2014
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August, 2014
FDNY HOUSES
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
Engine 207 and 100 Truck
FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock
In the New York City Fire Department’s 150 year history, many innovations have taken place from equipment to apparatus to procedures. Some of the strategies and operations were adopted and became policy by departments all over the United States and perhaps parts of the world. Some equipment the department no longer uses on a daily basis has become the talk of days and times gone by. One of the most discussed and remembered symbols of the department is the super pumper. The super pumper was placed in service on October 1,1965 after almost two years of design and delivery. Designed by William Gibbs, a renowned naval architect who came up with the idea of a “land fireboat,â€? approached the FDNY with his concept. The department was very intrigued by the highpressure pumper, especially after a series of big fires on Staten Island in 1963 that were made worse by prolonged water shortages due to drought and poor water mains. The fire required many companies to ferry over from Brooklyn and Manhattan. The selling point was that the pumper could have drafted from the bay and provide an unlimited supply of water at high volumes. A 16-cyclinder engine could power the six-stage pump, driven by an astonishing 2200 horsepower, capable of 10,000 gallons per minute. It would be an 18wheeler with a length of 43 feet and weigh 68,000 pounds with a two-seat cab. The second piece, a tender would carry 5,000 feet of 4 ½ hose and have an 8 inch stang tip that could be interchanged over to tips of 3, 4, 5 and a 2000 gallon per minute fog tip. In order to counteract tremendous nozzle reaction, outriggers were placed on each side directly behind the cab. Its overall length was 41 feet, weighing 60,000 pounds and have an identical height of 11’4â€?. Both units could respond in conjunction with each other. The cost at the time to build was an astounding $875,000. Several hearings with the city council were held to justify the expense. Originally housed on Hooper Street at 211 & 119, they relocated to Downtown Brooklyn in the Fort Greene section at 207 Engine and 110 Truck on Tillary Street in April of 1972. Located in the center of Downtown Brooklyn and in the shadows of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, this fire house was completed in 1971 and has a much more modern contemporary look. Its large size is very different from the traditional firehouses seen in
LARRY WOODCOCK
New York City. It was built to incorporate multiple units when it first opened, as well as today. The super pumper operated at many multiple alarm fires and high profile events during its time in service. It reached mythical status with firefighters and buffs from all over the United States as well as the world. People traveled to New York City just to take pictures and hopefully see it in action. The super pumper was taken out of service and disbanded on July 1st, 1975 ending a short tenure that is talked about until
today. Over the years, the super pumper was bought and restored by several collectors throughout the United States and still lives on. One wish I have heard from many, myself included, was that the city should have retired it and placed it on display at the fire museum or at the fire academy. It was a special part of the fire department’s colorful past and history that should always be remembered. The fire house still bears the name of the super pumper and tender above the apparatus doors as a tribute to a period in time not forgotten.
Engine 207 was organized as Brooklyn Fire Department Engine 7 on September 15, 1869. It is located at 245 Pearl Street. It changed over to Engine 107 in 1899 and then Engine 207 in 1913. They moved to 365 Jay Street in 1946 before moving to their present house in 1971. Ladder 110 was organized as Brooklyn Fire Department Ladder 10 on August 1, 1891 located at 264 State Street. It changed over to Ladder 60 in 1899 and then to Ladder 110 in 1913. They moved to 365 Jay Street in 1949 before moving to the present firehouse in 1972.
The 31st Battalion, who resides here as well, was organized as Brooklyn District Chief 11 on January 20, 1896. It changed over to Battalion 31 in 1898. It occupied both addresses mentioned above before moving to Tillary Street in 1972. The 11th Division found here, was organized on April 15, 1906 and has had numerous locations before coming here in July of 1990. Finally, Satellite 6, which is not staffed on a daily basis, responds on second alarms or greater with Engine 207, which was organized in December of 1998. Never a dull moment here.
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1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
August, 2014
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EMERGENCY WATERCRAFT If you have photos you would like to see in our Emergency Aircraft feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
ALLEN EPSTEIN STEVE WHITE
Fire in a vacant
FDNY members from Marine 4 and Marine 8 at Great Kills Harbor Staten Island. Left to right: are firefighters, Mike Kahlah, Mark Rizzuto, John Young, Jason Speiser and Chris Tucker.
On June 8, 2014, FDNY firefighters responded to 146th Street and 116 Avenue in Queens for a reported fire. They arrived to find fire on the second floor of a two story private dwelling. Crews were able to quickly knock it down.
STEVE WHITE
One of the units assigned to the FDNY Marine Division is a 33 foot boat with 900 Horse power.
JOSEPH EPSTEIN
Second alarm in Queens residence On June 9, 2014, a second alarm was needed for a fire in a two story private dwelling in Queens. FDNY firefighters arrived at Judge Street and Whitney Avenue to find a fire on the first floor of a two brick with extension to the second floor. Three hose lines were used to extinguish the fire. Two residents were injured and transported to a local hospital for minor smoke inhalation.
STEVE WHITE
FDNY marine unit showing out board motors in rear, that are 900 horse power.
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August, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
STEVE SOLOMONSON
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Fire in duct work in Queens On June 15, 2014, FDNY firefighters were alerted to a one alarm fire at Cypress Avenue and Decatur Street in Queens. Crews arrived to find fire in the duct work on the first floor. Three hose lines were used to quickly knock down the fire.
Chemical spill evacuates school in Brooklyn South A local junior high school was evacuated secondary to a chemical spill inside the school building located at 1420 E 68 St just off Ave N in the Bergen Beach section of Brooklyn. The FDNY responded along with their hazardous materials team to the Roy H. Mann Junior High School to mitigate an unknown type chemical spill inside the school building. The FDNY Hazardous Materials Team suited up and went to work as school officials reported that the unknown type chemical had accidentally spilled inside the building. The spilled product was eventually contained and cleaned up and the incident was placed under control in approximately two hours. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
August, 2014
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FRED BACCHI ALLEN EPSTEIN
Worker killed in Queens On June 21st, a sanitation worker was killed in his garage at 48th Street and 58th Avenue in Queens while working on a mechanical broom. He was run over by another broom and killed instantly. Another worker was transported to a local hospital for trauma. The FDNY and NYPD responded to the incident.
FRED BACCHI
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Wires on fire On June 24, 2014, FDNY crews were alerted to wires on fire at Grandview Avenue and Bleecker Street in Queens. Firefighters checked homes and alerted utilities.
FRED BACCHI
Funeral for honorary firefighter Colin Flood Eight year old Colin Flood lost his battle with cancer on June 22, 2014. Colin was made an honorary NYC firefighter on June 4th of this year by NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio at the FDNY Medal Day ceremony. Colinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father is a retired firefighter from Engine 210 in Brooklyn.
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August, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
ALLEN EPSTEIN
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Small fire in Queens On June 16th, FDNY crews were requested to 84th Place and 62nd Drive in Queens for fire on the top floor of a six brick. Crews had a long stretch and used one hose line to extinguish the fire.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Two alarms in Brooklyn PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
Brooklyn, NY. On June 26th, two alarms were needed for a fire in a two brick at Rockaway and East New York Avenues in Brooklyn. Firefighters found fire in the wall with extension to a store. Two tower ladders and two lines were used to extinguish the fire.
DEPARTMENT PROFILE If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Departmnt Profile” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com
RUSSELL CURLEY
ROBERT PAV (FDNY RETIRED)
FDNY Engine 45
FDNY Ladder 167 is a 2006 Seagrave 100 foot rear mount
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
August, 2014
PAgE 11
FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our Faces feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
STEVE WHITE
MVA in Staten Island
LUKE PATTERSON
FDNY Ladder 4 firefighter
The FDNY and Richmond Engine Company 1 responded to a car and motorcycle accident on Park St. and Amboy Rd. in Staten Island. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Firefighters from the FDNY and Richmond Engine Company 1 assisted the injured motorcyclist
JOHN HOPPER
Members of Engine Company 96 after a Third Alarm on Lacombe Avenue in the Bronx on June 6th, 2014
Vehicle News
ALLEN EPSTEIN
One alarm in Brooklyn On June 25, 2014, crews were alerted to a fire in a four brick apartment house at Thames Street and Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The fire was found in one room on the third floor. Two hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.
RON JEFFERS
The first front-line apparatus of a fleet of KME 2000-gpm pumpers going to the FDNY has been assigned to Engine Co. 153 in Staten Island.
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August, 2014
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY