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FDNY NEWS
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FEBRUARY, 2015
FIVE ALARMS FOR BRONX TAXPAYER
BILL TOMPKINS
A blaze that went to five alarms tore through a row of stores just before dawn on the morning of December 17th. A “10-75” was transmitted on arrival for heavy fire in the rear of a 100 x 150 one story taxpayer containing four stores. The alarms for additional units escalated quickly. - See full story on page 6
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February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Two alarms for Brooklyn commercial building On December 21, 2014, a two alarm fire broke out in a Brooklyn commercial building at 53 Street and 4 Avenue. FDNY crews arrived to find fire on the first floor with extension into the duct work on the second floor and cockloft. Extension was also found in exposure four, which was a church. Four lines and one tower ladder were used to extinguish the fire.
JEFF CRIANZA
NYPD Sgt Walker at the scene
One dead, three transported by EMS On Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 7:23 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of an emotionally disturbed male at 633 Hollywood Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a 48-year-old male acting erratic outside the residence. As police approached the individual, he retreated into a room within the residence, and barricaded himself therein. Emergency Service Unit officers also responded to the location and placed the individual in custody without further incident or
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injury. Upon search of the residence, an 87-year-old female was discovered in another room, unconscious and unresponsive, with trauma about the head. EMS also responded to the location, and pronounced the victim DOA at the scene. Three other occupants of the residence were removed via EMS
to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition. The victims were a 67-yearold female with an injury to her left arm, a 55-year-old male with trauma to the head and a 56-yearold female with a laceration to her face. The 48-year-old male was also removed to Jacobi Hospital for treatment and evaluation, where he remains in police custody at this time. The investigation is ongoing. - JEFF CRIANZA
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
Driver sustains burns at car fire On December 20, 2014, Engine 233 and Ladder 176 responded to Myrtle Avenue and Jackie Robinson Parkway in Queens for a car fire. Crews arrived to find the driver with minor burns and a fully involved vehicle fire. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment and the fire was quickly extinguished.
STEVE WHITE
Rescue Operations logistics rig at 10-60 in Staten Island.
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
February, 2015
PAgE 3
JEFF CRIANZA ALLEN EPSTEIN
Attic fire in Queens On December 17, 2014, FDNY crews were alerted to a fire at 79 Street and Woodside Avenue in Queens. Firefighters arrived to find a fire in the attic of a private home. They were able to quickly knock down the fire with one hose line.
Pictures of both officers and the memorial at the 84 Pct
1st responders mourn loss of NYPD officers Two NYPD officers assigned to the 79 Precinct CRV were eating lunch when a male approached the officers and fired into the patrol car. Both officers were shot and killed. Neighbors, police officers, fire- JUMP TO FILE# firefighters and 122114104 other first responders from around the country have been paying their respects. A 911 charity, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, announced that it will pay in full, the mortgages for the families of the NYPD officers Wejian Liu and Raphael Ramos, who were killed in the line of duty in Brooklyn, NY. - JEFF CRIANZA, STEVE WHITE
STEVE WHITE
Richmond Engine 1 members sent a letter of condolence to the families of NYPD officers Ramos and Liu which was placed at their memorial at Tompkins and Myrtle Aves.
JEFF CRIANZA
FDNY responds to jumper On December 18, 2014, members of the FDNY and ESU were on the scene of a DOA jumper on top of a beam above the Ripley's Believe it or Not at 234 West 42nd Street in Manhattan. The NYPD took control of the scene. It is believed that the victim either jumped or fell from the Hilton Times Square Hotel. STEVE WHITE
Officer Liu's uncle, wife, Pei Xia Chen and Frank Siller, CEO of the Siller Foundation.
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February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
33 Engine and 9 Truck FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock
Many articles have been written about this firehouse. After all, its beauty is well noted. This house has even obtained a cultlike status and is a must see for any visiting firefighter or buff, who comes to New York City for the first time. As any New York City neighborhood has its draw, the Bowery has 33 Engine and 9 Truck, simply referred to as the firehouse at 42 Great Jones Street. So lavish and monumental was this firehouse, that when it was built and completed in 1899, firemen from all across the city were envious of those, who would work there. The firehouse was designed with fourth floor being the chief of the department’s living quarters, which the chief resided here until the 1920’s. Both companies were solo with 33 Engine coming from Mercer Street and 9 Truck coming from Elizabeth Street. The firehouse became a New York City landmark in 1968 and was added to the register of historic places in 1972. This is the only New York City firehouse to hold this distinction. The architects, Ernest Flagg and William Chambers, had some big shoes to fill, taking over as the fire department’s primary designers of firehouses after the departure of Napoleon Lebrun. His last design came in 1895. On Saturday, March 25, 1911, 33 Engine arrived first due to a fire that changed the fire service forever in this city and across the country. A fire started on the eighth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, a ten story building on the corner of Washington Place and Greene Street. Over 700 people were at work in the building, 600 of which were mostly immigrant girls between the ages of 16 to 23. The fire spread rapidly due to many combustible garments hanging above the worktables. Many of the girls were able to escape by taking a freight elevator and the stairs. And, some exited by the fire escapes, but many were trapped by locked fire exits, which were left that way by sweatshop managers to prevent theft. Many were overcome and died from smoke. Others, with no choice, jumped to their deaths. Firemen tried in vein to ascend scaling ladders and set up life nets, but found it difficult at best due to jumpers. The fire was extinguished relatively quickly, but the damage was done. In all, 146
LARRY WOODCOCK
people lost their lives. The chief of the department at the time, Edward Croker, who was a staunch supporter of fire prevention and building codes, previously lead a campaign against dangers like the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, only to have it squelched by wealthy landlords and political red tape, stating that it is only a matter of time before a catastrophe happens. His worst fears came true. Amid testimony to city officials that evidence from the fire marshals showed that many factory owners would rather take a chance on a loss of life then spend five or ten dollars on preventing it.
The fire sickened him so much so that after a 27 years on the department, he turned in his badge and founded a fire prevention company. He built that company into one of the leading companies in the country. And the New York Legislature enacted fire safety reforms with safer working conditions for factory workers. The Bowery neighborhood has seen many changes over the years from an impoverished area in the 1920’s with dark streets filled with flophouses and cheap saloons to New York’s skid row, a place for alcoholics and homeless persons, referred to as “Bowery Bums�
from the 50’s through the 70’s. Since the 90’s, that has changed, the Bowery and the Lower East Side has been revived and is now a bustling neighborhood with restaurants and bars for every age group and taste. 33 Engine is one of the original companies in the FDNY established on November 1, 1865 as a volunteer company. Their former quarters was at 220 Mercer Street. They had a second section Engine 33 (2), which was organized in May of 1883 and was disbanded on July 1, 1939. 9 Truck is also an original FDNY company and was organized on October 20, 1865 with sev-
eral locations before moving here. They also had a second section Ladder 9 (2), which was organized in July of 1883 and was disbanded in March of 1889 to organize Ladder 20. These two companies have had 18 line of duty deaths, ten which, occurred on September 11th, difficult circumstances to say the least for any firehouse to overcome. A testament to how a firehouse survives such losses is a dedication to its service and a belief in carrying on a tradition and representing those, who gave the ultimate sacrifice. - LARRY WOODCOCK
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1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
February, 2015
Page 5
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PAGE 6
February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
JEFF CRIANZA
BILL TOMPKINS, WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM
PROVIDED
Central Park Medical Unit ambulances lost in fire
JEFF CRIANZA
Five alarms for a Bronx taxpayer A blaze that went to five alarms tore through a row of stores just before dawn on the morning of December 17th. The box was transmitted shortly before 5:30 a.m. for 1959 University Ave. A “10-75” was transmitted on arrival for heavy fire in the rear of a 100 x 150 one story taxpayer containing four stores. The alarms for additional units escalated quickly. All hands with an additional
JUMP TO FILE #121714115
engine and truck was struck at 5:37. A second alarm at 5:41, and a third alarm at 5:50, and an additional tower ladder at 5:51. Operations went defensive as conditions deteriorated. A fourth alarm was sounded at 7:20, and by 7:37, three tower ladders, two multi-versals, and three handlines were hitting the fire, which now
was showing through the roof. The roof continued to collapse from the rear to the front as a collapse zone was established. Firewalls helped contain the fire to the original building. Outside streams continued to knock down any fire until the fire was placed “probably will hold” after a fifth alarm for relief was called for. - BILL TOMPKINS
CPMU has been providing dedicated emergency medical services to Central Park since 1975. We work in a very unique place. Central Park is a tourist attraction that draws more than 40 million visitors each year from around the world. But, it is also a neighborhood playground, a bike path, a ballfield, or just a peaceful retreat for those who share this city with us. When emergencies happen in Central Park, a broken arm on the swings, chest pain and shortness of breath during that morning run; you will find our EMTs and paramedics providing rapid, professional emergency medical care. We don't do it for money. Everyone at Central Park Medical Unit is a volunteer and the unit is a non-profit organization that never sends a bill for its services. We do this work because we have a special privilege. It is the privilege of being able to help other people, often when they need it the most. And we have a special mis-
JUMP TO FILE #120314113
sion; our dedication to New York City's crown jewel, Central Park. But now we need your help. On November 20, 2014, fire tore through the garage where two of our ambulances were stored. Both vehicles were totally destroyed. The ambulances were insured, but insurance only covers a small portion of what it will cost to purchase and equip replacements. Your contribution will help make up the difference. Our dedicated volunteers are ready to keep doing the good work that they have been doing since 1975 for more than 35 years. And your generosity will help us fulfill our mission to keep Central Park safe for years to come. Central Park Medical Unit, PO Box 440, New York, NY, 10028 - PROVIDED
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
February, 2015
PAge 7
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Five alarms needed in Ozone Park A large blaze tore through an apartment building in Ozone Park, Queens on December 18, 2014, just one week before Christmas. FDNY crews arrived to find fire on the top floor with extension into the cockloft and to the roof. Six hose lines were used to extinguish the fire. Three civilians and two firefighters were treated for minor injuries. The Red Cross responded to assist the displaced residents with housing, food, and further support.
BILL TOMPKINS, WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM
A close call at Bronx third alarm One firefighter was rescued after transmitting a “Mayday” at a three alarm fire that caused extensive damage to a large building that appeared to be under renovation on December 15th. Shortly before 1:00 a.m., Bronx dispatch sent a full response to 400 E. Tremont Ave. (later corrected to 401 E. Tremont) for a report of a fire. The fire building was a 100 x 100 three story older building with offices over stores. An apparent basement fire had already extended up to one of the first floor store and heavy fire was venting out the front on arrival. A second alarm was transmitted within minutes of arrival.
JUMP TO FILE #121514129
Fire was extending upward and command backed members off of the second floor and roof and started to set up two tower ladders. Command also reported slight extension to exposure two. A “1087” was transmitted for Hi-Ex foam to battle the basement fire. As all members were being withdrawn from the fire building, a member of TL-33 fell through the floor into the basement prompting a “Mayday”. A third alarm was struck. The member was quickly located and
removed with no serious injuries. Two tower ladders and a multiversal operated in the front of the building. The Hi-Ex was set up, but not put into operation as the smoke condition started to subside. By about 2:15, field comm reported that the main body of fire was knocked down and primary and secondary searches were commenced. The fire was placed “probably will hold” shortly before 3:00. Foam 96, and Foam 260, both 1987 Mack CF foam units, the oldest front line FDNY units, responded in to the job. - BILL TOMPKINS
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Quick all hands in Ridgewood On December 20, 2014, a fire broke out in a three brick structure in Queens at Palmetto Street and Seneca Avenue. FDNY crews found fire on the top floor and used one hose line to extinguish the fire. The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.
BILL TOMPKINS, WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM
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February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
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.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Second alarm needed in Brooklyn On December 20, 2014, two alarms were needed at a fire on Skillman Street at DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn. FDNY crews arrived to find heavy fire in the three story frame structure with extension to exposures 4 and 4A. Five hose lines were used to extinguish the fire in the three buildings. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. ROBERT PAV
Inwood Fire Dept R.I.P. Joseph Sanford Jr from injuries while operating at a house ďŹ re.
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
February, 2015
PAgE 9
ON THE LITER SIDE If you have photos you would like to see in our On the Liter Side feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.
JEFF CRIANZA STEVE WHITE
Richmond Engine 1, visited several Staten Island neighborhoods and gave out candy canes to the kids.
A passenger, who was sitting in the backseat was killed
Female backseat passenger killed in auto accident A 27-year-old woman, who sitting in a livery cab stopped at a red light in the Bronx was killed Thursday after the vehicle was rear-ended, police sources said. The silver Mercury Grand Marquis was at the intersection of a service road of the Cross Bronx Expressway and Rosedale Ave., when it was slammed by a fastmoving black Dodge Charger
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with red rims just after 8 a.m., the sources said. The back of the livery cab was crushed as both vehicles went spinning through the intersection. The victim, whose name was not immediately released, was
rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where she died about a half hour later, according to police sources. The driver of the Charger remained at the scene. The driver of the black Dodge Charger slammed into the livery cab around 8 a.m. Thursday, sources said. - JEFF CRIANZA
STEVE WHITE
All hands on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day On January 1, 2015, an all hands broke out at 73 Victory Blvd in Staten Island at 2:30 p.m. The building was a three story brick 100 x 50 with mixed occupancy. The fire was found on the second floor and extending to the third. All visible fire was knocked down within 30 minutes with no injuries reported.
JEFF CRIANZA
Police chase leads to MVA The NYPD was following an auto when it crashed into another auto causing the two people inside the second auto to become trapped on December 16th. Three males jumped from the first auto and fled with 33 Pct anti-crime officers in pursuit. FDNY arrived on the scene to remove the two occupants in the second auto.
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February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
ALLEN ESTEIN
Small fire in Middle Village factory On December 4, 2014, a small fire broke out in a Middle Village, Queens factory at 79 Street and 67 Road. One hose line was used to quickly knock down the fire.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Small fire in Queens On December 20, 2014, a fire broke out in the basement of a three brick at Woodbine Street and Cypress Avenue in Queens. FDNY crews arrived to find fire on the first floor of a store with apartments above. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire.
STEVE SOLOMONSON
Doctors minivan flips onto it’s side in Borough Park At approximately 11:30 p.m. on December 4th, 2014, a doctor’s minivan was traveling northbound on 45th Street just past 15th Ave when it lost control and flipped over onto it’s side mid block. FDNY Engine 282 and Ladder 148 responded immediately to the scene and extricated one injury from the auto. The minivan was owned by a doctor, but it was unclear at the time if the doctor was driving.
JEFF CRIANZA
Car jumps sidewalk and runs down six pedestrians A car crashed into a storefront in crowded Midtown Manhattan Wednesday night, December 10th, seriously injuring seven people, authorities said. According to the FDNY, a driver lost control of their car and drove into a Forever 21 store on West 34th Street at around 10 p.m. At the scene, it appeared that two other cars were also involved in the crash. Seven people were taken by FDNY EMS to Bellevue Hospital, with six in serious condition.
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY
February, 2015
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ALLEN EPSTEIN
Two car MVA with one on sidewalk On December 7, 2014, FDNY crews were alerted to an MVA at Himrod Street and Oundounk Avenue in Queens. An SUV hit a car and went up onto the sidewalk. Both drivers were removed to a local hospital. At the time of the accident, no pedestrians were on the sidewalk.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Two alarms needed at church fire On January 4, 2015, a fire broke out in a Queens church at 104 Street and 37 Avenue. Heavy fire was found by firefighters upon arrival in the front two towers. Four hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
Head injury in Ridgewood On December 8, 2014, NYPD, K-9, ESU and EMS units were on the scene at Gates and Woodward Avenue after three males forced their way into a Ridgewood home. A male victim had head injuries and was removed to a local hospital for treatment. One suspect was apprehended. Two more are being sought.
ALLEN EPSTEIN
SUV hits black ice On December 11, 2014, an SUV hit black ice at 73 Place and 68 Avenue in Queens. Crews arrived to find the vehicle into a pole with the vehicle overturned. The driver was checked by EMS.
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February, 2015
1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY