61MACKBR1

Does anyone within YFD have an update on when Campbell and ALF are scheduled to deliver the New Squad 311 Rig to Yonkers?

What can be said, other than "Pictures Says It All" What Great Photos and Memories from the Latest Set Of Photos From the J J Pinto Collection, of Classic Rigs from both Mount Vernon and Yonkers FD's past. Who can't forget the Famous Mount Vernon Snorkel Truck !!! And Yonkers Very First Tower Ladder (that was out of service more than in service, if I remember correctly). Also, the Mack C Pumpers from both Mount Vernon (Engine 6) and from Yonkers (Engine 311, but if my memory serves me correctly, this was the Old Engine 7 [Engine 4 also was a 67 Mack B, but the Single Rotation Light on Engine 4 was ALL RED, and ENGINE 7's was CLEAR]). If Seth can ask Mr. Pinto if he has any more of these in his collection to share with all of us, that would be a TRUE TREAT for everyone. I would like to hear from others, on what they think of these "True Warriors From Days Gone By" ???

Thanks - Was The 1968 Mack C That Was Engine 1 (Which I believe then went to Engine 7), the last time Engine Company 1 was a Front Line Engine Company, before it was disbanded (I believe that the '68 Mack C for Engine Company 1 replaced the 61 Ward LaFrance Closed Cab, that I believe might have gone to Engine Company 8?) Am I possibly correct on these?

To Batt 2 - Great Piece of YFD History. Thank you very much !! Was I correct in stating that Engine 305 was the Old Engine 2? That "Fin Cover" across the back of the rig was a classic. ALF had great rigs back then. Was that '71 ALF the Only 71 ALF Engine Company running in Yonkers at the time. I remember the 2 '68 Mack C's (Engine 4 and 7 if my memory is correct). Finally, was the Old Ladder 2 (I believe it was a 70 ALF Mid-Mount") ever Ladder 1 (Before the '72 ALF White Cab Arrived?) Can you validate this for me? Thanks

Gotta Love "Old Snorky" in Mount Vernon. It served the City very well during its lifetime. Understand it may now be down in South America somewhere? So did Engine 6 (Then Foam 1). The Mount Vernon Fleet of Apparatus back in the 1970's and Early 80's was one of the best around. Yonkers also had some really great rigs back in the Late 60's, 1970's and Early 80's as well (The Fleet of ALF Tillers were superb, especially "SUPERTRAIN" Ladder 73). The YFD ALF Engines in 1971 were also very good. (Although those Compac/Continentials we can all forget)

Those Photos from The JJ Pinto Collection are true CLASSICS (The Latest of Yonkers Engine 305 [aka: Former Engine Company # 2], is one of the BEST yet]. We all would love to see more Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains Photos from his collection. Keep Them Coming. (PS - As a side note, did you know that the Rig picture as Engine 305, formally Engine Company # 2, was refurbed after this photo was taken, as part of the Compac/Continential Fleet of the Early 1980's? Also, this shot of Engine 305, was the last time that Engine 305 was commissioned as a Front Line Rig, before in was De-Comissioned again in the 1980's due to a Budget Crisis. (It was housed at Station 1 - Fire Headquarters).

Now that we are coming into October, isn't the New Squad 311 (2005 ALF Rescue/Pumper) scheduled to arrive? Does anyone have any updates on this?

Chief Fitzpatrick - Is the bid being planned for, going to replace TL 71 or TL 75 ? (Can I presume it would be for TL 71, since it is the older of the 2 Rigs and if true, would then the current TL 71 go and then become TL 77 Spare and thus that Mack Baker TL would then be sold?) Thank you in advance for your assistance to my question.

Good Point ! I am sure that Billy Fitz and the People at YFD have it covered and will certainly accept the bid that meets their specifications and is the lowest cost, to save the taxpayers any unnecessary additional costs, and last but MOST IMPORTANTLY a piece of apparatus that will serve the City of Yonkers for many years to come. No speculation needed, just the BEST AND THE LEAST EXPENSIVE

Excellent Point Sq288. Those Rigs have been spending alot of time out in Queens at the Repair Shop. Maybe, along with the Spartan Rescue, maybe a Pierce Walkaround

Doug E - Thank you so very much for the insight on FDMV back in the 70's. It was refreshing and very interesting. I, too, miss seeing "SNORKIE 1" around Mount Vernon. It served the city very well and was well used. Too bad it was never replaced in FDMV with another Snorkel Unit. As much as I like the Mack/Baker Tower Ladders, I would rather see a Snorkel Unit back serving Mount Vernon. I also believe you were correct with the Mack C unit. I think that FDMV did some sort of Switch on the Numbers. Wasn't Engine 6 Running out of Headquarters for a period of time, with this Mack C Unit? (The other Mack C was being used as the Foam Unit for a period of time, if my memory serves me correctly). Your thoughts?

ALF and Campbell Supply won the Bid on Squad 311. It will be interesting to see, given the recent situation involving American LaFrance and Freightliner, if Campbell Supply is able to win the bid. Knowing Yonkers past success with SMEAL as it relates to its rear mounted ladders (Ladder 72 and Ladder 73), I would think that SMEAL would have the inside track on the 2 Rear Mounts out to bid. I would suspect that SMEAL would go again the the UT100 Model. I don't believe that SMEAL offers a HEAVY RESCUE RIG? (Can someone confirm that for me)? If they did, I would think SMEAL would "go for the whole bid". Otherwise, I would like to see Yonkers maybe go with a Spartan /Marion Body Works Heavy Rescue or an E-One/Saulsbury Heavy Duty Rescue. Any other thoughts out there?

The Only Old YFD Stations no longer active that are Still Standing is the Old Station # 2 on Vineyard Avenue (used to house Engine 2 and Truck 2 [aka Engine 302 and Ladder 72] and the Old Station # 8 on Walburon Avenue (used to house Engine 8 [aka Engine 308] next to the New Station 8. The Last Station to be Closed and Torn Town in Yonkers was the Old Station 3 on Riverdale Avenue that was replaced in 1971 with the New Station 3 on Vark Street. If my memory serves me correctly, this was the Station set up back in the early 1970's (When Yonkers FD had its Maximum Amount of Apparatus covering the city at any given time): Fire Headquarters (Station 1 - New School Street) - Engine 1, Truck 1, Rescue 1 Station 2 (Vineyard Avenue) - Engine 2, Truck 2 Station 3 (Riverdale Avenue) - Engine 3 Station 4 (Radford Street) - Engine 4, Truck 4 Station 6 (Oak Street) - Engine 6 Station 7 (Central Avenue) - Engine 7 and the Repair Shop Station 8 (Walburton Avenue) - Engine 8 Station 9 (Shonnard Place) - Engine 9 Station 10 (Saw Mill River Road) - Engine 10 Station 11 (Bronxville Road) - Engine 11, Truck 3 Station 12 (Fortfield Avenue) - Engine 12, Truck 5 Station 13 (Kimball Avenue) - Engine 13, Truck 6 Station 14 (Central Park Avenue) - Engine 14, Truck 7

Here is some of the Answers to the questions raised. 1) The Photo of Engine 318 was taken from the Old Station # 2 on Vineyard Avenue, which has long been closed (Rig was an 1956 Ward LaFrance). Was a Reserve Rig when photo was taken. 2) Ladder 78 (Old 1954 American LaFrance Mid Mount), had the "Woody" Cap on it. These were placed on all of the Open Cab Rigs still in service back in the 1970's when all the Riots were going on and regulations mandated that all Open Cab Rigs be retrofitted with Caps to protect the men during runs (PS - That shot of Ladder 78 (Reserve Ladder) was taken on the Corner of Palmer Road and Central Park Avenue. I hope that is information was helpful

This may be a blessing in disguise for ALF. Freightliner really never provided ALF with the Marketing Support it truly needed to move up in the ranks of the Leading Fire Apparatus Manufacturers. It would be interesting to hear who is in line to purchase ALF. Could another competitor that maybe is # 4 or # 6 or # 7 in the Marketplace, could purchase the assets of ALF, and add ALF to their portfolio and bring more "Diversity" to their lines. I would like to see KME buy ALF and combine efforts to be a True Force in the Fire Apparatus Industry. Anyone else have any insight on this, with ALF being sold off by Freightliner.

Could Be? They (Rescue Me) used the YFD Headquarters to film the Original Pilot of the series, so there could be a connection and they might be using the Spare L76 to do some filming. Anyone else have an idea on this?

Those 4 Photos that are featured on the front page of this site are "Classics" to say the least. Wonder if Mr. Pinto has anymore of FDMV to share with us, similiar to these 4? (Like a Photo of the Old Snorkel 1 Unit) and others? How about any similiar Yonkers and New Rochelle Photos from about the same time (1960's and Early 1970's)

Great History on FDMV. I would (as probably others) would love to see more photos of the FDMV Rigs from the 60's and 70's, especially Snorkel 1 - Bring Them On !!!

PS - I think Thornwood also has a 4 Bay Headquarters as well. This is the type of layout that I would like to see for Yonkers' New Headquarters/Training Facility.

With all of the discussion regarding the Westchester Fire Training Facility in Valhalla, and all of the county municipalities who use it, and the allegeded lack of use of the Camp Smith Facility, it will be interesting to see what happens, once the New Yonkers Fire Department Headquarters and Training Facility is built and completed? Cities, such as New Rochelle (along with Mount Vernon) among others have participated in the Westchester Specail Operations Training up at the Ridge Hill Bunker in Yonkers, within recent months. and it will be very interesting, dependent upon how YFD sets up this new Training Facility (And YFD Headquarters) to see how many Southern County Cities utilize the New Facility in Yonkers for their Own Training Needs. Any thoughts?

Does anyone have any updates concerning the Status of the New Yonkers Squad 311 that was ordered earlier in the year from American LaFrance (via Campbell Supply in New Jersey)? Also, any news on the Bidding of the New YFD Rescue One (heard that it was going to be a Larger and Longer Version of the ALF Eagle Heavy Duty Rescue). Finally, did anyone win the Bids for the New YFD 314, 303, 304 and Ladders 70 and 74? (I would think that the Ladders would go to Smeal, since YFD has had very good success with L72 and L73 (Both Smeals) and the Engine Rigs would probably be ALF (given their recent success in Yonkers). Does anybody have any updates on these issues?

CAM or Shantz - Do you both feel that Station 3 is one of the most efficient Stations in Westchester County, as it relates to the housing of rigs? (possibly along with the White Plains FD Station near the White Plains Train Station? FDMV Station 3 is a 4 Bay Station, with Rear Access (not neading to back the rigs in). It is my hope that when Yonkers decides to proceed with their New Fire Headquarters and Training Facility, that they look at the design of both Station 3 in Mount Vernon and the Station in White Plains (as well as Station 1 in New Rochelle), as a Prototype of what the New YFD Hdqrs will look like. Your thoughts?

The Yonkers Fire Department has Updated and Improved its Web Site (www.yfd.org). Take a Look - It is slick and easy to use and browse through. Commissioner Pagano, The YFD Web Master, Asst Chief Fitzpatrick, and the Training Division should all be applauded for an "Outstanding Job Done" Great Job Guys - Thanks !

The "Big House" is truly a Classic ! I was also fortunate, as a child (back in the Very Early 1960's) to not only visit YFD Headquarters, but to get a tour. (I was involved in an Auto Accident in 1962 and the Old Mack Box Rescue 1 Truck came to assist and helped me out personally. My Mom and I went to personally thank the Fireman who work the day I was involved in the Accident and thus that started my interested in the department = as well as having an uncle who was in the department at the time). Back then, YFD had Engine 1 at YFD Headquarters (I believe that it might have been one of the Old 1961 Ward LaFrance Rigs), Truck 1 (I think it was one of the 1958 American LaFrance Mid Mounts, and, of course, the Old Mack B Rescue Truck. If they do decided to build a New YFD Headquaters, I certainly hope someone takes alot of Photos (inside and out) to remember what the "Big House" was all about.

Nice Job Seth - Nice Look to it