1st Responder FDNY November Edition

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PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

NOVEMBER, 2013

SECOND ALARM FIRE BREAKS OUT IN STATEN ISLAND

B&JFIREPHOTOS

On September 5, 2013, the FDNY responded to 340 Herberton Avenue around 5:30 p.m. for fire on the third floor of a commercial with apartments above.

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November, 2013

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.

FRED BACCHI

2nd Floor of Original Fire Building

Five alarms in Middle Village On September 9, 2013 at 8:30 p.m., FDNY units in Queens responded to a reported structure fire at 78-15 68 Street in the Middle Village section of the Borough.

E319 arrived and transmitted the 10-75 with fire in the shaft between two occupied buildings.

Battalion 49 arrived and transmitted the second alarm with fire in the cockloft and spreading to the exposures. At 8:46, Division 14 re-

JUMP TO FILE #091013100

ported putting the F.A.S.T. Truck to work and a mayday was transmitted.

At 8:47, Div 14 ordered a third alarm, as the fire had extended to exposures 2 and 4 via the cockloft.

At 8:53 the mayday was accounted for.

ROBERT PAV

FDNY Engine 247

At 9:23, a fourth alarm was transmitted with fire extending to exposures 2A and 4A. Seven lines operated at this fire. The fifth alarm was transmitted at 10:01 and the probably will hold at 10:19.

In all, five buildings were severely damaged out of ten in the entire row. All buildings were two and a have story frames, 20x40.

- FRED BACCHI

STEVE SOLOMONSON

FRED BACCHI

All hands in Elmhurst On September 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., FDNY Queens units responded to a reported fire at Forley Street and Britton Ave. E289 arrived and transmitted the 10-75 indicating fire on the first floor of a two and a half story brick private dwelling. Battalion 49 arrived at 1:06 p.m. and reported window bars on all exposures and requested an additional engine and truck. At 1:15, Division 14 reported one civilian was removed from the basement and made a 10-45 Code 2 (red tag -victim has lifethreatening injuries). The victim was transported to Elmhurst Hospital by FDNY/EMS. Two handlines were put into operation. Division 14 requested a response of the NYC Buildings Department to investigate numerous SRO's in the building. The fire was placed under control at 1:36.

Fire erupts at Sheepshead Bay deli Fire erupted in a Sheepshead Bay deli in the early evening hours of Sunday, September 8th at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The fire, that was originally reported as an explosion, erupted in the corner deli located at E 22 St and Ave V in Sheepshead Bay. First arriving companies were confronted with heavy fire and a smoke condition coming from the corner deli. There was a heavy smoke condition on the second floor and the residents of that floor were evacuated safely to the street. No injuries were reported in the incident and the fire was brought under control in just about an hour.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

November, 2013

PAgE 3

Custom All-Wheel-Drive Fire Apparatus ON THE BOOKSHELF Book reviews by John Malecky

Custom All-Wheel-Drive Fire Apparatus

By Likas A. Pristovnik Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 E-Mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $34.95 This is a soft covered book measuring 8 inches by 12 inches and has 148 pages.

It is a fabulous collection of custom all-wheel-drive fire apparatus, photographed by first class fire apparatus photographers. Most of them I know personally and all, but a few I know by name and by their work.

Although I have a friend from Austria (who is not the author), I’ve never met or heard of the author, but he has taken many photos in this book that are exceptional.

I am not one of the contributors so I am not bragging about the book for that reason. I am promoting the book because it really needs no introduction.

This book could sell itself without my review (and many copies have already been sold), but nevertheless I want to post my seal of ap-

proval in hopes that it will sell more.

It is broken down into decades from 1970 to 2012. There are but two pages of introduction and the rest is color photos, two to a page.

Within the descriptions of many of the photos are records and statistics about all-wheel-drive apparatus.

For instance, there may be a statement that the truck in the photo is one of only two built by a particular manufacturer in all-wheeldrive fashion.

As with anything, nothing is perfect and there are some photos where there was not enough information to describe everything a reader may want to know as well as some additional information that was not available at the time.

For instance, two tankers from Alaska appearing on Page 20 did not have a body builder mentioned, but a check with the photographer revealed that there was no indication in any records as to who it was.

In another photo on Page 58, there is a rescue on a Seagrave chassis, but the body is built by Marion which is not mentioned.

Certainly none of these shortcomings is serious enough to make a person not want to buy the book.

Many of the apparatus are ones that I did shoot and some I did not realize were all-wheel-drive. Some are not elevated to where this option is noticeable.

In any event, the reader may be disappointed that there were not more pages because thumbing through these pages is addictive.

In my case, I just wanted to go on and on. But the only recourse is to just start over again and continue to enjoy a great publication!

STEVE SOLOMONSON

FDNY firefghters extinguish fire in a large outside air conditioner located on a rear deck adjacent to an adult home.

Fire adjacent to Coney Island adult home On Saturday, September 7th, at approximately 11:45 a.m., a fire broke out in a large air conditioner unit located in the rear of a four story adult home on Surf Avenue just off W 23 St in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.

FDNY units arrived and transmitted the 10-75 as smoke was showing from the rear of the building. The FDNY eventually needed

JUMP TO FILE #090713100

the all hands.

FDNY Engine 318 stretched a hand line to the rear of the adult home, where they found a large air conditioner unit on fire located on a rear deck, sending heavy smoke into the adult home.

The fire was extinguished in minutes, but not before some of the residents had to be evacuated due to the heavy smoke that entered the building.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which was brought under control in just about 30 minutes.

- STEVE SOLOMONSON

BARBARA MONICO

Pedestrian struck at busy intersection On the afternoon of September 10 around 5 p.m. at the intersection of Forest and Richmond Avenues in Staten Island, a female was struck by a vehicle. Primary Care Ambulance was responding to an emergency and was flagged down to assist with the injured female. The crew acted quickly and collared and placed the victim on a backboard and transported to the nearest hospital. The extent of her injuries is unknown.

STEVE WHITE

FDNY turns out for soldier killed in Afghanistan On September 14, 2013, FDNY members in Staten Island turned out for the funeral of Army Sgt. Michael Ollis, who was killed in Afghanistan. Members stood at attention on New Dorp Lane in Staten Island.

PAGE 4

November, 2013

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.

B&JFIREPHOTOS ROBERT PAV

FDNY Engine 58 and Ladder 26

Second alarm fire breaks out in Staten Island On September 5, 2013, the FDNY responded to 340 Herberton Avenue around 5:30 p.m. for fire on the third floor of a commercial with apartments above. The second alarm was transmitted for heavy fire conditions with extension to attached an multiple dwelling. The Building Department has been requested to check stability on rear porches. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and under investigation.

FRED BACCHI

Two alarms in Maspeth On September 12, 2013 at 10:30 p.m., FDNY units responded to a report of smoke from a roof at 48 Avenue and 59 Street.

Rescue 4 arrived and transmitted the 10-75. Battalion 45 transmitted the all hands and reported fire on the top of a three story brick 20x40, attached on both sides. Division 14 transmitted a second alarm when fire was discovered in exposure four. Three lines were stretched and two placed in operation. The fire was declared under control at 11:15 p.m.

BILL TOMPKINS

Father Mychal Judge Walk of Rememberance The Annual Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance was held on September 8th in Lower Manhattan. The walk retraces the last steps of Father Judge as he responded to the World Trade Center on 9-11-01 starting at St Francis of Assisi Church. The walk stops at each firehouse and precinct along the route and a prayer is said. Here, FDNY Squad 18 receives a blessing as the walk pauses near their firehouse.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

November, 2013

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November, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

FRED BACCHI FRED BACCHI

Tower Ladder124 moves into position

Two alarms at Queens McDonalds On September 26, 2013 at approximately 4:35 p.m., FDNY units in Queens responded to a reported fire at Maurice Ave and 59 Road at a McDonalds.

Squad 288 transmitted the 1075 and reported fire in a one story 40x80 commercial. Battalion 45 arrived and transmitted the all hands, ordering an additional engine and truck. The fire was in the

JUMP TO FILE #092613122

cooking vents and roof of the structure.

Division 14 arrived and reported first due companies having water problems with heavy fire through the roof and ordered a second alarm be transmitted.

All companies on the second were instructed to respond in to the exposure 3 side, which was 59 Road.

Three hand lines were stretched and two tower ladders set up for operation.

The fire was declared under control at 5:05 p.m.

- FRED BACCHI

FRED BACCHI

All hands in Astoria September 13th at 4:30 a.m., FDNY units responded to a fire on the top floor of a three story brick 20x40 occupied dwelling at 28-53 Steinway Street. Battalion 49 had heavy fire in a kitchen on the third floor. Two lines were stretched and one was put into operation. No injuries to civilians or firefighterss were reported. The fire was declared under control at 5:10 a.m.

JOSEPH EPSTEIN

MVA with fuel spill On October 3, 2013, FDNY crews arrived at Amory Court and Grandview Avenue for a reported motor vehicle accident. The arrived to find damage to a mini bus and a sedan. One person was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Hazmat was called in to assist in cleaning up the spill.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock

The Northside will always be known as the North End of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is situated between McCarran Park and Grand Street and different from what the locals who living on the South Side would say.

What was once an industrial area that contained factories and some housing for it’s predominantly immigrant workforce, the area has in the last 15 years become one of the city’s most happening neighborhoods.

With those same factories converted into luxury loft apartments and the streets full of galleries, shops, and eateries; the area is much different.

One of the neighborhood’s most iconic and endearing symbols is located at 136 Wythe Avenue, although it was closed in May of 2003, it still remains.

This column remembers Engine 212, “the people’s firehouse.”

The company was known for its long history of members involved in the neighborhood and active locals who worked with the firehouse.

The building, which last I heard was for sale, was slated to be turned into a community arts center in late 2011.

212 Engine was organized on September 15, 1869 as Engine 12 of the Brooklyn Fire Department.

In January of 1898, they became Engine 12 of the FDNY. When the boroughs merged in October of 1899, they became Engine 112 and changed to Engine 212 on January 1, 1913.

The original firehouse was also located on this site and was torn down to make way for the current firehouse, which was built in 1908.

In November of 1975 and in the midst of the fiscal crisis that had overtaken the city, the city announced it was closing 212 Engine as well as several others.

Within hours of its closing on Thanksgiving Day, hundreds of local residents gathered in front of the firehouse to stage protests and block the city from removing the fire truck that was a symbol of their community. That night as many as 50 protesters moved into the firehouse. As many as 100 people lived in the firehouse for the next sixteen months, refusing to leave or let the fire truck be taken away until the city agreed to keep it open.

The protest gathered so much support that local companies donated food and beverages and even a company from the Bronx delivered coal for heat.

This prompted a journalist to dub Engine 212 as “the people’s firehouse.”

Community activists monitored fire damage and deaths in

November, 2013

Page 7

Remembering the people’s firehouse the neighborhood. Protesters demonstrated in front of the fire commissioner’s home as well as city hall and the borough hall.

They even staged a rally on the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway causing a shutdown and an 18 mile backup.

The city eventually reopened the firehouse in June of 1978 and the house remained open until the closing in May of 2003.

Few, if any firehouses in the city’s history, were as beloved and had the rapport with the community like 212 Engine did, “the people’s firehouse.”

One of the truly remarkable events in this fire department’s storied and colorful past occurred at 212 Engine. Lieutenant Thomas Kain, who had spent twenty five years at 212 Engine was overcome by smoke while operating at a fire.

While at Saint Catherine’s Hospital, his condition worsened and he drifted in and out of a coma. His only wish was to celebrate his fiftieth anniversary with the department, which he did.

And several hours after making it to his fiftieth year, he passed away at the age of seventy-one, making him the only fireman in the history of the Fire Department of New York to serve for 50 years.

And, he is the only line of duty death in the company’s history.

So after almost eleven years as one of the city’s most distinguished companies, the firehouse stands as a symbol of what it was.

Hopefully, it will remain as a reminder of a time when people cared and refused to let politics decide the fate of their neighborhood.

Engine 212 may have had the title, but I think it is safe to say that they are all the people’s firehouse.

LARRY WOODCOCK

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November, 2013

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.

FRED BACCHI

Car into building in Williamsburg

ROBERT PAV

FDNY Squad 1

On September 14, 2013 at approximately 2:30 p.m., a taxi was traveling northbound on Graham Avenue when it was struck by another vehicle. The taxi jumped the sidewalk at the intersection of Montrose and Graham and crashed into a grocery store. No passengers were in either vehicle and the drivers, who both sustained minor injuries, were transported by EMS to Woodhull Hospital.

STEVE WHITE

JOSEPH EPSTEIN

Celebrating 100 years Engine 289, the Corona Tigers, recently celebrated their centennial serving Corona, Queens on September 20th. This house responds to iconic landmarks such as Citi Field and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and shares its quarters with Ladder 138. A plaque was revealed during the ceremony, of which many fire department officials, Engine 289 member and past members attended.

Second alarm in Staten Island A 5:21 p.m. on September 5, 2013, 2-2 Box 0751 was sounded for 340 Heberton Ave. in Staten Island. Crews arrived to a three story 50x50 Class III mixed occupancy. Battalion 22 transmitted a second alarm on arrival for a fire in a occupied multiple dwelling with stores on the ground floor. The fire was under control in less than an hour. Two firefighters and two civilians were treated for minor injuries.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

November, 2013

PagE 9

Using a smile to boost morale EMS ISSUE CHELLE CORDERO

Face it, Emergency Medical Services is an unpaid and too often under-appreciated field.

And if you are volunteering, it is an unpaid and still under-appreciated field. In today’s economy with budget cuts and shrinking budgets, money, or the lack of it, only adds to the problem and too often is construed as “punishment”.

So what can administrators do to improve morale? And in doing so, improve agency performance? What will make the difference in maintaining volunteers in unpaid agencies?

We’ve all heard the expression to lead by example. We shouldn’t limit that example to only actions, it also includes your emotions. People will look to you to see how they should act and react and especially when things seem to be out of order, if you maintain calm they will find it easier to believe that things will work out. If you are happy and show them that, they will see the things they should be happy about. If you seem defeated, act angrily or let them see you are overwhelmed, they will worry that something is happening beyond your control. If your members need to talk, be more interested in listening than talking yourself and do not lecture.

Leadership is the first area to affect morale. A good leader is skilled, understands the duties and responsibilities of those working under him/her, preferably a medical professional, abides by the rules and treats everyone fairly and the same. Extremely important, a leader must be able to rise above negative emotions and not get embroiled in strife. In many ways, the leadership must be almost superhuman in the ability to control his/her emotional output. Not every talented practitioner is cut out to be a leader.

Pre-hospital care providers do a lot of good things. Some of their cases don’t have good outcomes, some are bothersome, but without our first responders a lot of people wouldn’t have the chance that they do. They need to feel appreciated. Recognition and rewards are just one way to say thank you. The rewards don’t need to be significant, they just need to be something that makes

it special, inexpensive gift cards, their name posted on an “employee wall”, a preferred parking space for a month, a fruit basket, etc.

Names of providers who have gone above and beyond can be read at monthly meetings, sent to the local newspaper, posted on the company website. Acknowledge what they do and how proud you are of them.

Boost company morale with togetherness activities to take place outside of work time: picnics, bowling or golf outings, family breakfasts where members can invite family members. Keeping members’ families involved helps to strengthen the providers’ personal support system doing this high stress job. During work shifts, the administration can bring in weekly pizza, show movies in the break room, or install a game system in the break room for crews that need to standby at the building.

These are just some suggestions that will work for both paid and volunteer agencies, depending on what is available in your area you might come up with other ideas as well. Be sure to let your members make suggestions, too.

Another activity that will not only foster togetherness between the members but will also prove uplifting is to organize things like clothing drives, food pantry collections, or delivering toys to needy families. As one pre-hospital care provider had to say, “this gives us the opportunity to do something with our co-workers, do good for the community, and not deal with the blood and gore we normally do.”

Another issue that volunteer squads have is ensuring round the clock coverage. With so many people working second jobs and busy family lives, volunteerism is often far below need. Many such agencies decide to pay for coverage during the greatest time of need. This is an area that must be dealt with gently. You cannot pay your own volunteers, once they become your employee they cannot continue to volunteer as per the 1986 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) so you need to prepare for the loss of their volunteer hours.

According to a Connecticut based company called Vintech, an agency can “lease” employees – aside from letting the company dealing with staffing coordination and other personnel issues, even if your own volunteers work for the company you lease from, they are not your employees and therefore can still volunteer without violating FLSA.

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JOSEPH EPSTEIN

100 year celebration On September 5, 2013 Engine 287, Ladder 136 and Battalion Chief 46 in Elmhurst celebrated their 100th anniversary. The celebration for the Elmhurst Eagles had a large turnout of members, family and guests.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Celebrating 100 years On September 1, 1913, FDNY Engine 286 and Ladder 135 opened their doors. Current and past firefighters as well as local dignitaries arrived to celebrate. In addition, a plaque was unveiled and blessed.

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November, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

faces of fDNY’s emergeNcY services To see your action shots in the newspaper, upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

BILL TOMPKINS

BILL TOMPKINS

Members of FDNY Engine 9 and 6 Truck.

Members of FDNY Engine 54 and Ladder 4

BILL TOMPKINS

Members of FDNY Tower Ladder 1

BILL TOMPKINS

Members of FDNY Engine 7

BILL TOMPKINS

Members of FDNY Squad 18

STEVE WHITE

Firefighters from Ladder 82 at the Richmondtown Fair.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

November, 2013

PAGE 11

Vehicle News

RON JEFFERS

RON JEFFERS

The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department in The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department in Queens received this donated 2002 Ford/PL Custom am- Queens placed into service a 1981 Ford/Pirsch/09 Toyne refurb 1250-gpm/750-gwt/50A-50B gft pumper that was bulance from Sag Harbor after Super Storm Sandy. donated after Sandy by the Chanhassen, MN., F.D.

The Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department in Queens received this 1987 Pemfab/American Eagle 1500-gpm/1000-gwt pumper from Millville, Del., after Super Storm Sandy.

RON JEFFERS

RON JEFFERS

DAMIEN DANIS

RON JEFFERS

The West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department in FDNY Squad 270 is a 2013 Seagrave rescue/pumper, SP The Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department in Queens received a private donation of a 2009 Chevy SilQueens received a 1993 International/Horton ambulance 13003, 1000/500 verado that has been converted into a chief's vehicle. from East Farmingdale after Super Storm Sandy.

RON JEFFERS

RON JEFFERS

RON JEFFERS

The Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department placed FDNY Engine Co. 329 has been assigned a 2002 Ford Finto service a 2013 Ford F450/4WD/Wheeled Coach am- 450/Knaphe ATV, that saw former duty as BFU-8, after bulance.

Super Storm Sandy decommissioned the company's original unit.

The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department in Queens accepted a donated 1998 Ford/Wheeled Coach from the Madison Ambulance Assoc., of Madison, CT, after Sandy destroyed the department's ambulances.

RON JEFFERS

RON JEFFERS

The West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department in Queens placed into service a 1991 Pierce Arrow 1500gpm/500-gwt pumper received from Cobb County, GA., after Super Storm Sandy.

The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department in Queens placed into service a 1991 Simon-Duplex/E-One 1750-gpm/500-gwt pumper, donated to the unit by Sleepy Hollow after Sandy destroyed their apparatus.

Stay on top of the news. Visit 1st Responder on the Web at www.1RBN.com

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November, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

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