1st Responder News FDNY October Edition

This section is exclusively dedicated to coverage of the New York City Fire Department

FDNY NEWS

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PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

OCTOBER, 2013

ALL HANDS FIRE IN HISTORIC RICHMONDTOWN

STEVE WHITE

A suspicious fire broke out in one of the buildings in historic Richmondtown. The 223 year old farm house known as the Kruser-Finley house was built in 1790. The home also stored historic artifacts.

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

FRED BACCHI

Firefighters work to extricate driver from vehicle.

STEVE WHITE

Pin job in Staten Island On August 27, 2013, firefighters from Ladder 85 and Engine 165 in Staten Island responded to a pin job in Richmondtown.

Three motorists were taken to the hospita with non-life threatening injuries.

Vehicle accident in Woodside, Queens On August 18, 2013 at approximately 3:00p.m., a vehicle traveling Westbound on 37 Ave went out of control, jumped the sidewalk and hit an iron protection pole for a fire hydrant.

The car was split in half from the back of the front seat to the rear. The

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rear of the car remained on the sidewalk by the hydrant while the front part with the driver still inside, skidded down the sidewalk and came to

a stop about 75 feet away.

Companies at the scene had to cut away the driver’s door and part of the vehicle roof to extradite the drive.

FDNY EMS removed the drive to Elmhurst Hospital in serious condition.

- FRED BACCHI

FRED BACCHI ALLEN EPSTEIN

All hands in Ridgewood On August 28, 2013 at 6:20 a.m., all hands went to work for a fire at 59-17 Gates Avenue in the Ridgewood section of Queens. Fire was in the rear of a two Brick 20x40, occupied dwelling. One civilian was removed with smoke inhalation.

The fire was brought under control at 6:50 a.m.

All hands at Queens recycling plant On August 22, 2013, FDNY crews were alerted to a fire at a recycling plant. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in a deep pile of recycling materials. One tower ladder, two handlines and one deck gun were used to extinguish the fire.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

October, 2013

PAgE 3

STEVE WHITE

RICHARD YORK

Row of stores ablaze in Brooklyn On 8/6/2013 around 7PM At 1074 Liberty Avenue in the City Line area of Brooklyn, A 2 alarm was transmitted for heavy fire throughout 4 commercial storefronts. One of the storefronts ironically was named "On Fuego 2 Unisex Salon".

STEVE WHITE

Overturned dump truck with injury On August 19, 2013, a dump truck operator was pinned in his truck when a load of asphalt shifted in the dump truck overturning it on St. Pauls and Occident Avenues in Staten Island.

Engine 153, Ladder 77, Rescue 5 and Battalion 21 responded to the overturn. The driver was extricated with non-life threatening injuries.

RICHARD YORK

FDNY team races Approximately 30 FDNY members, mostly paramedics and EMTs, have been training for weeks to participate in several races as part of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on August 10 and 11 in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens. Racing results are available on their website at hkdbf-ny.org.

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

ANTHONY BAISDEN

The FDNY examines the hole where the victim was trapped.

RICHARD YORK

Van versus car in Queens On August 10, 2013 around 10:00 p.m., units of the 54 Battalion extricated one victim from a two car MVA on 158 Street at 137 Ave in South Queens.

ANTHONY BAISDEN

FDNY*EMS has the victim on a stretcher and is being wheeled to an awaiting ambulance.

Worker buried up to neck in trench On August 26th at approximately 2:00 p.m., a worker was buried up to his neck in dirt after the trench he was working in collapsed around him in a rear yard lo- JUMP TO FILE cated on Ave X just #082613176 off E 23 St in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn.

It took the FDNY only a couple of minutes to arrive only to find the worker still

conscious, buried just below his neck in dirt. The FDNY immediately went to work and had the victim out of the hole in less than 30 minutes.

A full compliment of FDNY collapse units were enroute to the scene, but most were cancelled while enroute as the worker had been removed from the hole.

The worker was transported

by DNY EMS to Kings County Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

- STEVE SOLOMONSON

STEVE WHITE

Second alarm in Staten Island A 10-75 was transmitted at 1:14 p.m. for a fire in a multiple dwelling. Division 8 transmitted a second alarm at 1:19 p.m. for 2-2 Box 0446 at 30 Norwood Avenue in Staten Island on August 5th. Fire in the rear basement of a three story 40 x 50 Queen Anne, which extended to the first and second floors. During the fire, Division 8 special called several ladder companies above the second alarm assignment. Four hand lines were stretched and operating and it took two hours to bring the fire under control.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

October, 2013

Page 5

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

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.

FDNY EMS Div 3

STEVE WHITE

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Water main break in Queens FDNY Bureau of training unit

STEVE WHITE

On August 25th, FDNY crews were alerted to assist at a water main break at 55th Street and Nurge Avenue in Queens. They assisted with pumping out several buildings. The DEP also worked the scene.

STEVE WHITE

FDNY Mobile training unit

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Male hit by train in Queens STEVE WHITE

FDNY EMS Division 5

On August 18, 2013, FDNY crews were alerted to a accident at 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. They arrived to find a male struck by a train, but DOA. On scene were Engine 292, Ladder 154, Rescue 4, Squad 288, and Battalion Chief 46.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

October, 2013

PAgE 7

DEPARTMENT PROFILE If you have photos you would like to see in our Department Profile feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

STEVE WHITE

FDNY Fire/EMS station Engine 168 EMS Battalion 23

FRED BACCHI

Commercial building fire in Ridgewood On August 29, 2013 at 11:45 a.m., FDNY Queens units had a fire in a one story brick warehouse located at 79-17 Cypress Avenue.

A 10-70 was transmitted (1070 water relay required) as the

JUMP TO FILE #082913111

The fire was located in a machine room located on the roof.

The fire was placed under control at 12:30 p.m.

first due engine could not obtain a positive water source.

- FRED BACCHI

EMERGENCY WATERCRAFT If you have photos you would like to see in our Emergency Watercraft feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

STEVE WHITE

Remembrance Rescue Project The Remembrance Rescue Project is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization established by firefighters around the United States to help children understand what happened on September 11, 2001. The refurbished Rescue 5 rig lost 11 members on 9/11 and was brought back to Staten Island by the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund, named in memory of the Rescue 5 firefighter killed on 9/11.

STEVE WHITE

A small FDNY rescue craft docked at Marine 9’s quarters in Staten Island

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

STEVE WHITE

All hands fire in historic Richmondtown A suspicious fire broke out in one of the buildings in historic Richmondtown.

The 223 year old farm house known as the Kruser-Finley house was built in 1790. The home also stored historic artifacts.

JUMP TO FILE #071513129

The fire was reported at 4:38 p.m. for a one story wooden structure.

FDNY fire marshals are investigating the blaze since the house was vacant and closed to the public.

Tower Ladder 85 operating at the all hands.

- STEVE WHITE

STEVE WHITE

FRED BACCHI

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Bronx third alarm in taxpayer On August 14th, FDNY firefighters were alerted to a third alarm fir ein the Bronx. They arrived at East 236th Street and Katonah Avenue to find fire in a row of three stores. Five hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.

Fire in a machine shop hopper On August 26, 2013 at approximately 2:30 p.m., fire was in a hopper attached to a 75 x75 one story machine shop located at 57-45 47 Street in the Maspeth section of Queens. One hand line operated at this fire, which lasted about 45 minutes.

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock

Anyone who has been to New York City knows that different neighborhoods are what make this city as great as it is-from cultures to foods to architecture.

And, one thing that is constant is that if you can’t find it here, you most likely can’t get it anywhere. Harlem is no exception.

The Harlem Hilton is located at 248 West 143rd Street. It is not a hotel, but the quarters of 69 Engine, 28 Truck and the 16th Battalion, which is a neighborhood institution.

This is a firehouse with a reputation that is known throughout this job, as well as by any fireman that has come from there.

Harlem was formally established in 1658 by Dutch settlers and is named after a city in the Netherlands of the same name.

Locals refer to it as uptown, but it’s formal boundaries stretch from river to river and 125th Street up to 155th Street, the meat of Harlem Valley.

Black residents began to populate Harlem in the early 1900’s and became a world-renowned center of African American culture. Strivers Row, a New York City landmark on 138th and 139th Streets off of Frederick Douglas Boulevard, is a row of townhouses that were constructed for the well to do in 1893 and is known as the most aristocratic street in Harlem.

The houses sit back to back which allows them to share rear courtyards, once home to several famous people. They are now privately owned.

On the corner of 150th Street and Saint Nicholas Place sits the James Bailey House, which was built in 1886 for the manager of the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Designed to resemble a castle in Romanesque style, it was added to the U.S. Registry of Historic Places in April of 1980.

By the 1920’s and 30’s, Harlem’s population grew significantly and so did the building, with brownstones as well as old and new law tenements. Along with that came heavy fire duty punctuated from overcrowding and the social uprising of the 60’s as well as the economic downturn along with drugs and arson of the 70’s.

Harlem burned like many other neighborhoods in New York City and many other cities.

69 and 28 became some of the busiest companies in the city for fire duty and placed over 50 members on the list for medals of bravery, including five times for the James Gordon Bennett medal, the departments highest honor.

69 Engine was originally established as a combination engine company in the Bronx on July 1,

October, 2013

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69 Engine, 28 Truck and the 16th Battalion 1899 and then disbanded on January 1, 1916.

They were reorganized on April 17, 1917 and placed in service in the 143rd Street firehouse.

28 Truck was organized as a two piece ladder company on January 15, 1905 with the second section being 28-2. The was due to the fact that there were not many ladder companies in Harlem at that time and being housed at 143rd Street.

The second section 28-2 was disbanded on January 1, 1915.

The 16th Battalion was organized on January 1, 1901 and was moved around multiple times before coming to 69 and 28 in April of 1940.

This past November, I had the privilege of going over to 69 and 28 for a plaque dedication while I was hanging out at Squad 41.

I didn’t know what is was for, but after it was over, it left such an impression on me that after a year passed, I still think about it.

It was Saturday, November 17th and a ceremony was held at the firehouse for Firefighter James Ruane, who was killed 50 years ago fighting a fire at 535 West 150th Street.

69 and 28 planned this event and requested Firefighter Ruane’s family be present.

We listened to several family members speak as well as a battalion chief, who commented that Ruane’s death, although a great loss and tragedy was kind of overshadowed by the fact that three weeks earlier six firemen were killed battling a fire in a Queens soap factory.

Firefighter Ruane’s family and his daughter, who was a little girl at the time, spoke about the ceremony for her father’s death from this same firehouse 50 years ago.

Everyone told her that he died with honor and in the service of his duty. It didn’t matter to her because all she wanted was her father back. Now all these years

LARRY WOODCOCK

later and with all these firemen, it mattered to her so much that he was never forgotten.

He loved being a firefighter.

He was only 29 years old and her recollection of him was just moments. It was difficult growing up without him.

The whole time she gave her speech, I couldn’t help but say to myself that obviously no one here presently worked with him and all this time had passed and he truly was not forgotten.

I was amazed at how this firehouse had such class and it was the epitome of true brotherhood.It was hard to swallow from the lump in my throat. It made such an impression on me. On that I will never forget it.

From there we went to 150th street, where all the firefighters in Class A uniforms as well as surrounding companies along with two firemen from 69 Engine, who worked with Firefighter Ruane, walked down to the building were

he died. They placed a wreath in front 50 years to the day that he died and at almost the same time the fire came in.

The firehouse also had arranged to have the street renamed for him. A city councilman spoke at the top of the block.

All I could think about was what that block looked like 50 years ago and all these years later, he has not been forgotten.

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

VEHICLE NEWS If you have photos you would like to see in our Vehicle News feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

RON JEFFERS

F.D.N.Y. Ladder Co. 30 in Harlem has been assigned a 2013 Ferrara 100-foot rear mount aerial ladder.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

14th Annual game At the 14th Annual FDNY vs NYPD baseball game at MCU Park on August 23rd, the FDNY beat the NYPD five to four.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Three alarms needed in Brooklyn

Car through garage in Ridgewood

On August 15th, FDNY crews responded to Troutman Street and Cypress Avenue to a four brick commercial building fire.

They found fire in the basement extending to the first floor in the beams. Five hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.

On September 1, 2013, FDNY crews responded to 60th Place and Madison Street in Ridgewood, Queens for a vehicle through a garage. The driver of the vehicle was the only injury and he was arrest for driving while intoxicated. The rear wall of the garage sustained major damage.

JOSEPH EPSTEIN

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Heroes Mortgage Program

Volunteer firefighter eases into retirement with savings Talk about serving your community.

Michael Bender is a volunteer firefighter with Hopewell Fire Department 52 in the town of Princeton, N.J. His wife, Elaine, is an EMT with the department. Michael just retired in July after 25 years as a police officer in Princeton.

Congratulations on your retirement, Mr. Bender – from everyone at 1st Responder’s Heroes Mortgage Program. We are proud to say that we helped Bender ease into retirement with some savings. Bender refinanced his home with the Heroes Mortgage and shaved three years off his mortgage.

He’s also saving $100 every month on his payment.

“I just retired, so any income I can save is big,” said Bender, who has four children. “Especially over a year, that adds up. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to add $100 to their wallet every month. I had 18 years left on my mortgage and now I just have 15, which is a big savings.”

Do you want to know more about the innovative Heroes Mortgage Program? Well, then, the New Jersey Firemen’s Convention on Sept. 13-14 in Wildwood is the place to be. The Heroes Mortgage Program booth at the convention is

one of the more popular attractions.

Clients stop by to talk with the staff about their positive experiences and how it helped them, whether they purchased their first home, or refinanced. Meanwhile, interested firefighters check in to learn more about how the Heroes Mortgage Program can help them. There are so many wonderful stories surrounding the Heroes Mortgage Program.

Whether it’s the young firefighter who used the program to by his first home, the thirty-something who refinanced to get a better rate and ease the burden of the bills, or the client who could only be approved through the Heroes Mortgage Program due to bad credit; our team is there to help.

1st Responder and Sun Home Loans teamed up to create the enterprising initiative, which provides discounted fees and low interest rates for firefighters and other members of the emergency services community.

“These men and women are the fabric of our communities. Nobody sacrifices more every day,” said Joseph Belsito, Publisher of 1st Responder. “We were excited about this program from day one and, to see it get off the ground, like this is gratifying. These people are the best of the best. It’s been our pleasure getting to know them and help them.”

Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, the Heroes Mortgage Program is offered exclusively, providing personal service, benefits and rates not normally available to the general public. Now in its 29th year, the New Jersey Firemen’s Convention is often described as the largest exposition of it’s kind east of the Mississippi.

Firefighters from the entire MidAtlantic region converge on the famed Jersey Shore for the event. 1st Responder certainly looks forward to seeing our clients, our friends, and telling your colleagues more about the Heroes Mortgage Program. We are certainly proud of it.

Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, the Heroes Mortgage Program is offered exclusively, providing personal service, benefits and rates not normally available to the general public. To receive more information about the program and its benefits, contact Steven Testa at stesta@sunnb.com or call 973-615-9745.

Sun National Bank Home Loans and 1st Responder Newspaper are not affiliated. All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions and fees may apply. Mortgage financing provided by Sun National Bank Loans, Equal Housing Lender.

October, 2013

Page 11

Win an iPad mini 1st Responder and Sun Home Loans team up to promote mortgage program The Heroes Mortgage Program has been expanding its services throughout the emergency services community since it was launched in 2011.

To celebrate that success, Sun Home Loans and 1st Responder Newspaper are teaming up to give away five more Free iPad Minis in 2013.

One will be awarded after the New Jersey Fire Expo/Wildwood September 13th & 14th

Visit our booth at the Wildwood Convention for more information

ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.1RBN.COM

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October, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

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