The Heritage Of Westchester County's Fire Numbering System

[x635 4,066]

I'm just wondering when Westchester County put into place the current numbering scheme for fire departments and apparatus, and what existed before that?

Although I'm very used to it and kind of like it, I always wonder whether a more organized numbering system would be more beneficial.

[DOC22 1]

I don't know too much on this one. I can tell you that when I joined CFFD in 1963 (yeah, I know I'm aging myself). Our pumpers were E 136, E 150, and E 168. I don't know how it was originally set up, perhaps in the numeric order in which they were first registered with the County. When they assin=gned the new numbers E 147, E 148, E 149, Alphabetically, by Battalion?

[dadbo46 50]

The Westchester County Fire Chief's Association set up the countywide numbering system back in the '40's. It was a result of war time activity and the increased use of radios in the fire service on a common frequency. If a county wide system was not implemented, guess how many Engine 1's there would be. Also, company names (Harmon Engine, Mamaro, etc.) would be confusing and use alot of air time.

I believe that the last department to go with the county numbers was Yonkers FD back in the '70's. Mt. Vernon still uses their local company number but they operate on their own frequency.

[Geppetto 31]

While you're on this subject - The Westchester County Fire Chief's Emergency Plan - which became the Westchester County Fire Chief's Association, was one of the first of its kind in the country. It began as a mutual aid system in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck area and grew countywide. Since we've been doing it longer than most, you would think that we would have most of the problems solved by now! LOL

[Monty 35]

While you're on this subject - The Westchester County Fire Chief's Emergency Plan - which became the Westchester County Fire Chief's Association, was one of the first of its kind in the country. It began as a mutual aid system in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck area and grew countywide. Since we've been doing it longer than most, you would think that we would have most of the problems solved by now! LOL

Nahhh, (way) too much tradition

[Guest alsfirefighter]

That's exactly part of the problem its run like it still is 1940 and by all these little splinter groups that "need control."

I'm with you x635...I've thought that and would have to say that I think it would be more beneficial to have a different numbering system as has been mentioned in previous posts.

Edited August 23, 2007 by alsfirefighter