nfd2004

Thanks there "efdcapt115" for posting that youtube video. It certainly was very touching. Also Thank You to all that have posted your stories and respectful thoughts. I certainly respect our Police Officers for the job they do. We depend on you to protect us in the world we live. "THANK YOU" for what you do. Please be safe out there. Too many of you have paid the ultimate price, along with their families, friends, and Brother/Sister Police Officers. Some are carrying a price for the rest of their own lives from their injuries they recieved, trying to protect us from the viscious animals that roam our streets. May the Good Lord be with you as you protect us. "THANK YOU SO MUCH".

"Tour" is the shift. One shift only.

Thanks George (efdcapt115)for posting this portrait. It's called "Me Irish eyes tis Smilian" featuring Willy O'Dennis. George, you are one of the very few to have your very own photo. Maybe this photo didn't get the Firefighter of the Year Award. But this photo has been used as a "mouse chaser" to keep the little critters away, or used as a "vampire shield". But I got to say, when this photo was unwrapped and given as a raffle prize, the lucky winner was amazed, everybody sure was surprised, and it sure got a few laughs.

Thanks "R1SmokeEater" for posting that video, and allowing us to remember and learn from that very sad day. I think Every Firefighter in the Country should see that video. Black Sunday is a day many will not forget.

Thst sure is well said there "sfrd18". And maybe we've heard this before but mutual aid is just that. Not a One Way, but a Two Way Street. Training a company is required to protect the people of the neighborhood. Brownouts takes that trained company away from those people they are to protect.

It is with regret to announce the passing of Josephine Harris. Josephine was confined to a wheel chair trapped on the upper floors of one of the Towers on 9/11. The FDNY Members of Ladder 6 were coming down the many flights of stairs when they came upon Josephine who was unable to go down those stairs. As the members of Ladder 6 approached her, she said for them to leave her, and just save themselves. Of course the members of Ladder 6 did NOT do that. Instead they all took turns carrying her down the many flights of stairs. Then with only a few more flights to go, the entire 110 Story Tower came down on them. Trapping Josephine and those Ladder 6 Members. Later they were all rescued and of course Josephine was very Thankful to those FDNY Members. The History Channel did a story on those FDNY Members and Josephine, along with a few others that survived that day. That story is called "Countdown to Ground Zero". It is now on DVD featuring Josephines story. She was certainly a hero that day and offered herself to stay back for the safety of others. May you Rest in Peace Josephine Harris. You were a Hero as far as I am concerned, along with those Firefighters from Ladder 6 who carried you down those many flights of stairs to safety.

As far as I see it, FDNY Rescue 3 OR Yonkers Rescue 1 all earn their pay. No doubt in my mind. And you can add to it a few places like Newark, Jersey City, Boston, Providence, Baltimore, Wash, D.C. Any one of those companies catch it, no matter how you slice it. And there's probadly a few dozen more like them. I was never a part of any one of those depts, but as a Buff, I've seen all those Rescue Companies in Action. Pretty Impressive, I'd say.

Looks to me that "they" Love Ya Po(o)ps....... I don't know you, but I sent you a "PM' with alittle story to tell you. And by the way, the picture that Jamie posted kind of reminded me of my own Younger Days, as a Young Probie. I always felt that Yonkers Rescue 1 was just an Extension of FDNY's Rescue 3. Willy "D".....often referred to as Connecticuts "NFD HALL of FAMER". Norwich, Ct

As a Buff its sure NOT. You need an expensive radio to recieve it (although some have come down to about $400.00). Programming them could be a nightmare for the person not familiar with new techology. I had to pay to get mine programmed. Plus those digital frequencies are very limited in distance they can recieve. My first experience was when Providence, R.I. Fire and Police went to digital. Even with a special mobile antenna, reception is no where as good as High, Low or Ultra high band. Also, in my own case, because of my stupidity, if any changes are made to any city, I need to have somebody reprogram it for me EVERY TIME. I sure miss the days of just reprograming the scanner myself.

(I loved that George. I could just picture it). Funny thing though, I wear the same outfit when I go to beddie bye. I may not have Mayor Bloomy's Money, but at least we dress the same every night, and do our deep knee bends every morning. Do you know if he drinks a cup of Hot Cocca like I do before going to sleep ? But for those that have to be out there, Please be careful. I'm sure every little detail is being checked and rechecked.

One of the major factors in the spread of the fire that day was Low Water Pressure. It was an Extremely hot, humid day and most of the hydrants were open with the water running down the streets. I really don't think there was much of a wind that day. My guess is that several buildings just lite off by the radiant heat (as probadly seen in one of the pictures). If there was a wind it was created from the massive fire. I've seen that happen a few times before.

I went down there the next day as a buff. I couldn't believe my eyes. The most fire damage I had ever seen. In fact to this day it still is. The Bushwick section of Brooklyn had been the hot spot during the years of 1976 and 1977. Eng 271, 277, Lad 124, Lad 112, and Batt 28 had reached the top spots for runs and workers. Before that, as a buff I was hanging out in The Bronx and Harlem. But with the activity picking up quickly in Bushwick, my hangout was at a McDonalds on Broadway near Lafayette St in Brooklyn. The summer of 1977 was really hot. Three days before this fire was the Blackout of 1977. The FDNY fought thousands of fires that night and even into the next day. The Bushwick neighborhood was one of the areas that had the most fires and arrest during the Blackout. I believe three juviniles were caught for starting this famous 10 Alarm fire. When caught, their biggest concern was "Is my picture going to be in the paper" ? With the Blackout of 77 and this Massive Fire something had to be done. As a result, the city made an extra 300 Fire Marshalls who got called Red Caps, as they wanted to be highly visible and wore RED Baseball Caps. They investigated every suspicious fire and followed up on every lead. As a result, the FDNY WAR Years were coming to an end. Starting around 1963/65, to the Fall of 1977, the FDNY fought fires of Historic porporations. But it was the result of this Massive Fire and the Blackout that basically ended the period in time that is called "The FDNY War Years". If you might be interested, there are many stories, photos, and videos on www.nycfire.net under History, called; "My Younger Buff Years".

I just can't believe that Bill DIDN'T PASS. I'm not at all into politics. I don't have much faith in ANY of Them. BUT I SURE WILL REMEMBER THIS. You could bet if it was a group of people that paid $10,000 a dinner plate it would pass. "Crooked Politicians". And I do mean it. Do us all a favor, and Throw them ALL Out.

I sure hope the young kid gets the blood he needs. It tears me up when I hear about kids that are so sick. Espically around this time of year when most kids are getting ready for Santa. I have a story to share about a young kid who celebrated his final birthday at the firehouse. I think "efd.." knows the one I'm talking about. I'll post it later on. What I don't understand at all is, "Why does this kind of thing happen to little innocent kids" ? Meantime, there's Scumbag pieces of $hit roaming every street in every town or city in this Country. "I just don't understand it". Anyway, I sure hope it works out for this kid. And if your kid(s) are healthy, you sure are blessed.

Thanks for posting those pictures. An Honor to those we lost in that surprise attack. We need to Remember Pearl Harbor.

After the Our Lady of Angels School fire in Chicago, fire codes for schools changed dramatically. Fire drills were then required. Fire doors had to be installed, etc. I sure remember that. I was in grammer school at the time. I want to order those two books also. As I remember, one of the Chicago Firefighters who responded into the fire "First Due", lost his child. And that was a Great Video posted.

Thanks George for the Great Pictures. Sounds like it was a Great time, and sure looks like the place was packed. Wow, to be young again and on the job, 100 lbs lighter, and be able to take part in that "Firefighters Combat Challange". (Wishful Thinking).

November 11th is Veterens Day. A day that we Thank our Military, Past and Present, for all their sacrafices they have given to us. We need to remember that "FREEDOM Does NOT Come FREE". Many have paid the ultimate Sacrafice. Others are living with the scares in their daly lives. I had the Honor of having a friend who had recieved "The Navy Cross". One of Our Country's Highest Medals. He never talked about it. He lived in a Nursing home where nobody went to see him. Not even his own family. Yet he had recieved one of the Highest Medals in Our Country. His name was John McDonald and he passed away last year. This Christmas when you are making out your Christmas Cards, make out a few extra for our injuried troops. Send them to: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20307-5001 And for a few sites dedicated to Our Country's Military, go to: www.PatriotFiles.org and www.greatamericans.com

Several years ago, the Bridgeport (Ct) Police did a similar program. They would focus on a few square blocks looking for every possible type of street crime going on. Everything from Public drinking, to Drug selling. There would be five cars working two or three square blocks. Once one neighborhood got cleaned up, the P.D. moved to another area. It turned out to be a very successful program. The only other person that had some success with getting rid of the drug dealers in the "Hood" was my wifes 90 year old grandmother. She would chase them with a broom handle, and yell at them in Polish. Best of all, she stood about 4'2". Sadly she left us a few years ago. I guess they just don't make them like that anymore.

I was always under the Impression that our old 1942 ALF Ladder came from a fire house in New Roc on Weaver St. In fact I think Weaver St was written somewhere on the rig. But I am glad that after all these years, I finally got the right Scoop on it. I always thought it came from New Rochelle. Thanks guys.

You are quite Welcome George. Mike sure has some Great Photos from the Bronx and Harlem during the 1980s. "He sure is one Tough Act to follow". For those who don't know, Mike had special permission from the FDNY to ride with the units at "The Harlem Hilton" (Eng 69, Lad 28, and Batt 16). He might have rode with a few other companies also. I'm just glad that he was able to record these Historic Moments. Thanks Mike, and Thanks George for posting this.

Thanks George, I appreciate that info on the Eastchester F.D. numbering system.

Thanks George for posting these Great "Blast from the Past" Photos from the Eastchester, N.Y. Fire Dept. First question, "Are you in any of the Photos" ? I think we both go back a few years. Another question I had was the "numbering system" for the Eastchester Fire Dept. I noticed Number 27 on one of the rigs. Are Eastchester rigs in the 20's series ?

Yeah George, that's a Great Picture. Any more ? Here in Norwich, Ct we bought a 1942 American LaFrance from the New Rochelle Fire Dept. That was one big tank. It was our spare ladder when I went on the job in 1975. We called it "The Weaver Street Special" because it served in the New Rochelle Firehouse on Weaver St, and the city only paid $5,000.00 for it. I know there's a picture of it somewhere on here.

Zach, Thanks for posting all these pictures. Kind of help me out here. If I wanted to post some info about a particular picture, how do I do it ?