1st Responder Newspaper FDNY June Edition

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PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

JUNE, 2013

FLATLANDS HOME DESTROYED

BY FIRE

STEVE SOLOMONSON

On May 1, 2013 at approximately 12:30 p.m. fire erupted in the basement of a two story occupied private dwelling located at 5023 Ave L in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn. FDNY firefighters arrived and found fire in the basement. One handline was stretched to the basement, knocking down the fire.

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June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

ALLEN EPSTEIN BILL TOMPKINS

Five alarms in the Bronx Numerous businesses were destroyed and many residents left homeless as a five alarm fire extended through multiple structures in the Bronx on May 2nd.

Bronx dispatch initially sent out a full response at 6:25 a.m. for a reported garage fire in the area of 685 East 226 St. Companies arrived to find a fully involved detached garage with exposure problems on several sides. A second alarm was transmitted as fire spread to several vehicles increasing the exposure issues.

A third alarm was called for at

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6:39 and a fourth at 7:00 as flames extended into a five story H OMD, a two story frame on White Plains Rd. and a eight store taxpayer, also on White Plains Rd. Firefighters were able to keep the extension to the OMD to a minimum. The two story frame suffered moderate damage, but the taxpayer was soon heavily involved and flames soon spread to the adjoining three story frame. At 7:29, a fifth

alarm was transmitted.

The elevated subway tracks on White Plains Road made positioning difficult. Subway traffic was halted and a line was stretched to track level. Five tower ladders, a deck gun, four multiversals, and numerous handlines were put into operation to stop the spread of the flames.

At the three hour and twenty seven minute mark the fire was able to be placed under control with no reported injuries to residents or firefighters.

Three alarmer in Brooklyn On April 28th, FDNY crews were alerted to a two story private at Lewis and Lexington Avenues in Brooklyn. They arrived to find fire on the second floor and in the cockloft with extension to exposure four. Five hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.

- BILL TOMPKINS

ALLEN EPSTEIN

All hands fire in Queens STEVE WHITE

Pin job in Staten Island On April 14, 2013, firefighters from Engine 166, Ladder 86 and 23 Battalion responded to a report of a pin job on Richmond and Nome Avenues in Staten Island. A female motorist was pinned in her car after the vehicle went airborne off Richmond Ave. into a wooded area. Firefighters removed the victim using the hurst tool. Firefighters removed the victim to an FDNY ambulance and she was transported to a local hospital.

On April 12, 2013, FDNY crews were called to 66th Street and Myrtle Avenue in Queens for an all hands fire in a private home. Crews used one hose line to extinguish the fire, which was found in the basement. No injuries were reported.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

June, 2013

PAgE 3

FRED BACCHI

First alarm at Queens beauty salon On May 5, 2013 at 2:30 p.m., all Hands was sounded for Queens Box 7873, located at 37 Avenue and 75 Street in Jackson Heights. Battalion 46 reported fire on the first floor of a four brick 50 x 100 building, with commercial on the first floor and office space above. An extra engine and truck were ordered. The fire was located in the rear of a Beauty Salon. Two lines were stretched and operated at this fire. It was brought under control at 3:00 p.m.

JOSEPH EPSTEIN

Plaque dedication On April 16, 2013, a plaque was dedicated in memory of Richard Nappi of Engine 237, who passed away in the line of duty on April 16, 2012. In attendance were loved ones, colleagues and friends.

KEN SNYDER

FRED BACCHI

All hands in East Elmhurst On May 1, 2013 at 7:55 a.m., all hands went to work at 24-30 85 Street in the East Elmhurst section of Queens, NY. The fire was in a commercial laundry, one story brick 20 x 60. Two handlines were stretched and operated at this fire.

Broad Channel’s engine, a victim of Sandy This 1989 Hahn 1500/500/50 was one of only three made with a stainess steel tilt cab. It was originally owned by Malverne in Nassau County and later acquired by the Queens Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department, which ran it as Engine 209. During Superstorm Sandy, the rig hit some debris, breaking an air line causing it to become disabled and to be abandoned. Later on as the flood waters continued to rise, a short circuit developed causing an engine fire that destroyed the rig.

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June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

RICHARD YORK

Woodhaven, Queens partial building collapse FDNY units responded to a call for a collapsed building slightly before 6:30 p.m. April 12th. The building located at 78-19 Jamaica Avenue was a two story 50 x 100 brick structure.

Once on scene, they were notified that the building had been vacant for at least two years. However, they went right to work searching for life, checking all exposures and securing a perimeter.

The collapse sent bricks flying in all directions and badly damag-

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ing two vehicles below.

Rescue 4 and Squad 270 searched the rubble on the street while TL142 observed the collapse zone from the bucket above. Additional firefighters visually searched and inspected all other exposures from surrounding roof tops.

Battalion 39 transmitted a10-

60 signal (major emergency building collapse) on arrival after sizing up the unstable structure. Train service was halted, fearing vibrations elevated train line on Jamaica Avenue would cause further damage or collapse.

According to the Department of Buildings, the building had a history of violations and will have a complete investigation.

- RICHIE YORK

RICHARD YORK

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

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KEN SNYDER

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KEN SNYDER

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June, 2013

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June, 2013

Rescue 1 FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock

In today’s world, firefighters are called upon to do many things other then put out fires. Well documented are the runs and types of runs they respond to. At a fire or other emergency when “it hits the fan,” a FAST team of firefighters are in place and this is not always the case in other parts of the country.

They are sent in with the appropriate equipment to hopefully get a member or members out of danger.

Prior to the institution of these teams, which only goes back to the early 90s, this type of rescue was the sole responsibility of the rescue company. Some large cities across the country still designate that responsibility to their rescue companies.

In New York City, it was recognized that a need for specialized equipment and firefighters with special training for uncommon situations that arise was of the utmost importance.

At 8 a.m. on March 8, 1915, Rescue Company 1 was born.

This is the first rescue company in the City of New York and the first rescue company in the United States.

It was staffed by one captain, one lieutenant and eight firefighters. All crew members were picked from companies around the city with various years on the job. The captain, John McElligot, later became chief of the department.

Each carried all of the latest state of the art equipment for that time, smoke helmets, cutting torches and life lines. It has been well chronicled that the FDNY and its members invented tools and procedures for fighting fires that departments all across the county have adopted. They have even designed rigs over the years to suit the needs of every type of emergency that arose in this departments storied past, with Rescue 1 being no exception.

Its first members were electricians, iron workers, builders, not unlike firefighters today. This was and always will be a hands on job, a blue collar, down and dirty profession-no matter what the politicians try and do-to paint a different picture.

You ask anyone on this job when they are crawling down a smoke-filled hallway and its bad.

The last thing they are thinking about is, “I hope the guy that has my back has a college degree.”

Rescue Company 1 was always an orphaned company, never having its own firehouse and having to bounce around the city.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Its first home was with Engine 33 on great Jones Street till 1920.

Then, Engine 30 on Spring Street until 1947 hosted then. They moved over to Engine 20 on Lafayette Street until 1960. They moved over to 65 Engine at 33 West 43rd Street until 1973.

Finally, Rescue Company 1 had their own firehouse at 530 West 43rd Street in 1973. This was the former quarters of Engine 2, which was disbanded the year before on November 25, 1972 after 107 years of service.

The firehouse also served as a fuel depot for the department. This firehouse was one of the many designed by legendary Fire Department Architect Napoleon Le Brun.

It was built in 1894 and like all the others he built, it was ornate and stood out, looking much like a three story brownstone in the middle of the block.

On the night of January 23, 1985 at around 7:30 p.m., a verbal was turned in to rescue’s quarters for a fire next door at 524 West 43rd. The building was home to the Wieser Piano Company and measured 125 x1 00 and eight stories in height.

The fire spread so rapidly due to the open floors and a windy cold night with temperatures in 20s and became fully engulfed.

This fire required ten alarms and was one of the city’s most spectacular fire.

In the subsequent collapse of the fire building, Rescue 1’s quarters was destroyed. The one thing saved was the front facade of its first floor, which was incorporated into the rear interior wall of the kitchen when the firehouse was rebuilt in 1988. A truly remarkable site to see. And to even be thought of.

I stopped there several times over the years for pictures and have always been treated first rate, by a class act company. A special thanks to Captain Morris, Lieutenant Tarabocchia and to recently retired 35 year member Al Benjamin.

In it’s nearly 100 years of service, Rescue 1 made many daring rescues and been in the middle of many major events with numerous

LARRY WOODCOCK

individual medals of valor as well as unit citations. The notoriety is not without a high price. Sadly, thirteen members died in the line of

duty in one of the departments premier companies.

“There is no body of men in all the world more utterly devoted to

their duty, more competent, more admirable in many ways, then the American fireman.”

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June, 2013

PAge 7

STEVE SOLOMONSON

Rear tenement fire On April 27, 2013, a fire erupted in a rear tenement on W 16 St just off Mermaid Ave in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The fire erupted at approximately 7:30 p.m. and produced a heavy fire condition on the second and third floors of the three story rear tenement on W 16 St. FDNY companies responding in reported that, "We spotted the fire from ten blocks away." Division 8 requested an additional engine and truck and the truck was to be a towerladder. The fire was knocked down with two handlines and was brought under control in about an hour.

FDNY Division 8 requested the fire marshals to investigate and deemed this fire suspicious in nature.

RICHARD YORK

Second alarm in Queens On April 22nd at around 3:45 p.m., a fire was located in the rear of 143-23 95 Ave with extension from the first floor up to the third and minor extension into the attached dwelling.

This was a three story 40 x 40 class 4 with window bars. There were four green tag victims who were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm almost immediately after the all hands transmission. However, engine companies knocked down the main body of fire fairly quick and extensive ladder operations were taken to ensure the spread of the fire was stopped.

Vehicle News

RON JEFFERS

FDNY Ladder Co. 10 has been assigned a new Ferrara 100-foot rear mount aerial ladder.

FRED BACCHI

Garage fire in Corona RON JEFFERS

FDNY Ladder Co. 1 has been assigned a new Seagrave/75-foot Aerialscope model tower ladder.

On April 17, 2013, FDNY units in Queens responded to a garage fire at 37-17 108 Street. The fire building was a one story brick, 40 x 60. The fire was contained to debris outside the building.

Battalion 52 requested a transportation truck to the scene for removal of three 30lb propane cylinders that were illegally stored at the scene.

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June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

MUTUAL AID GORDON WREN

I recently read a piece in the “Secret List – Firefighter Close Calls.com” (can be accessed at f ir ef ig h ter clo s ecalls @th es ecretlist.net), which is written and distributed by Chief Billy Goldfeder.

Chief Goldfeder wrote:

RICHARD YORK

Car versus storefront in Jamaica Estates Fortunately this Nail Salon was closed when an out of control driver went head on through the storefront on April 14, 2013 at approximately 5:30 p.m. FDNY Battalion Chief 54, Ladder 150 and Engine 304 went racing to the scene after they received a run for possible people pinned or struck. Ladder 150 declared no pin inside or under the vehicle. However, they had to cut through the roll down shutter gate to ensure there were no one injuries inside and to investigate the structure’s damage. The driver of the vehicle was evaluated by EMS. The scene was taped off until the Department of Buildings could investigate the structure.

“Hey, without question, firefighter/fireground staffing is beyond critical for success…it’s been proven time and time again.

The need to Command That staffing is as critical – and it is not just a single person role. The need for multiple chief officers to turn out on the first alarm of a report building fire has also been proven…time and time again: Establish and run command?

Yes Run accountability? Yes A chief officer in the rear of the building? Yes One to coordinate RIT and/or civilian rescues? Yes Incident safety officer? Yes Can it all be done by one person? No. Not when you have a working fire, civilians trapped, maydays etc. And to call for help when that happens…is too late.

We need to turn-out acting as if WE WILL have that on the scene.

Don’t have that?

Good news..send them home when the fire is out.

Has it been done with one chief…and everyone goes home safe and sound? Sure – until that “one” fire when all the tasks and all the command roles must be done simultaneously…which is potentially your next fire. Keep reading. Remember – the more we do things wrong – the more they “seem” right…until that “one.”

The article goes on. Chief is 100% correct. In our county, we have established a “cheat sheet” titled “Priorities for first 10-15 minutes of a structure fire.”

I keep this short form on the dashboard of my response vehicle.

Establish Command and Give Short Status Report-This is selfexplanatory. However, it is giving dispatch and responding units an indication of what the current status is at the scene.

Size Up-Ideally a 360 should be performed very early on.

Establish Command Post-We recommend a stationary command post be established, ideally where at least two exposures can be observed.

Develop IAP (Incident Action Plan)-Ideally, this should be done after the 360 and before firefighters are sent into the building.

Accountability-We recommend that times be recorded as soon as firefighters go on air as part of a

team and that if they are not out in 15-20 minutes, that action be taken.

Search & Rescue-This should be performed when appropriate and with close supervision, especially if operating above or adjacent to a working fire.

Safety-Our county has adopted a Safety Officers’ Program, where veteran firefighters receive specialized training, whose primary role is to monitor safety/accountability at incidents.

At major incidents, we have safety officers, who could be working under the supervision of one safety officer.

Assign Operations Officer-Essential, especially at large or complex incidents.

Water Supply-Important if numerous apparatus will be moving water and lots of it from multiple sources.

Mutual Aid-Officers should call for early and call for more that you need in large buildings.

Ventilation-Should be coordinated with interior team.

FAST Team (our version of RIT) -Should be established early on.

Manpower Staging Area-Any firefighters not assigned a task or at rehab should be located where manpower can be pulled from.

Orange & Rockland County (our local utility)-Should be called early for utility cuts.

Equipment Staging Area-This is utilized at large incidents – particularly effective when additional equipment or manpower is needed and surrounding areas have been already called in apparatus and manpower staged a block or two away. When resources are needed at the scene, they are immediately available.

Response Area Coverage-If all of your manpower and equipment is tied up, who is covering your response area for additional calls? If the above staging area is utilized, units can be dispatched to additional alarms in that jurisdiction.

Establish Sectors Officers if Appropriate-These officers will supervise geographical areas of a large incident for functions.

Rehabilitation Area-Could be several rehabilitation areas/EMS. This is particularly effective during extremely hot or cold weather.

The first four can and probably should be completed early on by the Incident Commander, if possible. The other functions need the individual attention of a qualified Officer. At complex incidents, most of these functions may require supervision, along with other possible needs. To ensure that all these priorities are filled could require well over one dozen officers.

As Chief Goldfeder says, “No Chief wants to be the Incident Commander of the ‘one’ where tragedy occurs.

Major incidents can be chaotic and dangerous. Delegating the various tasks and functions can bring order out of chaos and protect the safety of your firefighters.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

June, 2013

PAge 9

RICHARD YORK

Queens all hands fire FRED BACCHI

Around 9:30 p.m. on April 21st, the FDNY responded to Queens Box 99-8922 for the address of 133-28 150 St., intersecting at N. Conduit Ave. BC51 reported fire in a two story peak roof 25 x 50 private dwelling with fire extending from the floor on the first to second floor. Heavy fire was out windows in rear. They requested an additional engine and truck over the first alarm transmission. At least two other all hands fires occurred around the time of this fire. Queens was busy this night.

FRED BACCHI

All hands in Maspeth On May 3, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. all hands went to work at 44-22 53 Ave in the Maspeth section of Queens. The fire building was a three story brick 20 x 60 with fire located on the second and third floors. The residence of the building self- evacuated and the fire was brought under control at 2:00 p.m.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Oil tank fire On May 4th, 2013, FDNY crews were alerted to an outside oil tank on fire. Firefighters arrived at Stagg Street and Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. The fire was quickly extinguished.

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June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

FACES To see your Face, upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

RICHARD YORK

FDNY stand by for suspicious package on bus

FRED BACCHI

Member from FDNY Rescue 4 at recent all hands in East Elmhurst, NY

FDNY Brooklyn companies Engine 257 and Ladder 170 were called in for a stand by along side EMS as requested by police for a suspicious package discovered on an MTA bus. The bus came to a stop midway between Farragut Rd and Gleenwood Rd on Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn around 8:30 p.m. on April 17th. NYPD's Emergency Service Unit 7 and citywide Bomb Squad Unit responded to the incident. Upon investigation, they deemed the suspicious package safe and all units were returned to service.

BC Coffey checks on control of fire at beauty salon fire

FRED BACCHI

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Large rubbish fire On May 5, 2013, FDNY firefighters were alerted to a rubbish fire at Ellery Street and Broadway. The fire was found against a building and was quickly extinguished. Units checked for extension.

FRED BACCHI

Members of FDNY Squad 288 after recent fire in Jackson Heights, Queens.

June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

PaGE 11

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.

ROB PAV

FDNY, 343, Gone but not Forgotten Never forget 9/11

STEVE SOLOMONSON

FDNY Firefighter breaks the top floor windows to vent the smoke and make entry for possible trapped victims.

Flatlands home destroyed by fire On May 1, 2013 at approximately 12:30 p.m. fire erupted in the basement of a two story occupied private dwelling located at 5023 Ave L in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn.

FDNY firefighters arrived and found fire in the basement. One handline was stretched to the basement, knocking down the fire.

The fire was extinguished in the

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basement area, but not before it had extended up through the walls to the top floor and in only a matter of seconds was showing out the top floor windows.

A handline was stretched to the top floor and knocked down that part

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with the emergency evacuation of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, NYU Langone Hospital, nursing homes in the Rockaways and Bellevue Hospital.

During Hurricane Sandy, the Central Park Medical Unit worked together with the New York City Office of Emergency Management, the New York Police Department, the FDNY-EMS Division and the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City to serve communities across the five boroughs. The Mayor’s Commen-

Engine 218, Bushwick Bomberos

of the fire.

FDNY assisted in the removal of two occupants from the fire building who took some smoke but eventually refused medical aid.

The fire was brought under control in less than an hour.

- STEVE SOLOMONSON

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg commends CPMU City Hall, NY. March 12, 2013 Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issued a commendation letter to the Central Park Medical Unit for “its tremendous efforts to protect the health and safety of the people of New York City.”

Mayor Bloomberg cited the Medical Unit’s volunteers for their consistent commitment to making Central Park and all of New York a better place to live and visit. While the Mayor knows of the heroic actions of CPMU’s volunteers spanning decades, the activities of the Medical Unit caught national and international attention during Hurricane Sandy when volunteers worked around the clock helping

ROB PAV

ROB PAV

FDNY Engine Company 22

dation comes on the heels of White House recognition of long time CPMU volunteer, Rafael Castellanos. President Obama conferred the highest volunteer award available, the President’s Call to Service Award in January 2013. For the full text of the Mayor’s Commendation, please click here.

For almost 40 years the Central Park Medical Unit has been the front line emergency medical service providing compassionate and free care in State record time to Central Park visitors and in times of emergency to the larger New York City community.

ROB PAV

FDNY Ladder 39, Woodlawn, Bronx - PROVIDED

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June, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

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