FDNY Editor

March 31, 2012

Specialty “Unbreakable” Window Systems, Part I

On July 23, 2011, a punishing heat wave with high humidity continued its hold over New York City. Manhattan Box 1051 was transmitted at 0046 hours for a fire on the fourth floor of a 14-story, luxury, high-rise multiple dwelling, located at 815 Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. While Battalion 10 units were […]

March 31, 2012

Wastewater Treatment Processes

The process of removing contaminants from wastewater–both run-off (effluents) and domestic–is called sewage treatment. It can be processed close to where it is created or collected and transported via a network of pipes and pump stations to a municipal treatment plant. The purpose of wastewater management is to discharge water efficiently and remove solids from […]

March 31, 2012

Units Battle Fire and Heat Wave at Manhattan Sewage Treatment Plant

The City was experiencing a heat wave and July 20, 2010, was part of it. This day was exceptionally hot and humid, with no wind. At 1146 hours, a phone alarm was received at the Manhattan Communications Office, reporting an explosion in the engine room at the North River Sewage Treatment Plant, located at 725 […]

March 31, 2012

Initial Shoring Capabilities of On-Scene Rescue Companies (sidebar to above)

Fires and emergencies can present many hazards. Among these is instability of the structure or an area within it, resulting in collapse or partial collapse. These conditions present a hazard to life in that area. The possibility of secondary collapse further compounds that risk. Unstable areas may have to be shored for rescuers to work […]

March 31, 2012

Staten Island Collapse and Maydays Safely Resolved

On December 15, 2010, at 0047 hours, Box 3818 was transmitted for a fire reported at 4028 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island. The initial response included Engines 162 and 167, Ladders 82 and 87 and Battalion 23. At 0051 hours, Engine 162, Ladder 82 and Battalion 23 arrived at the location and observed light smoke seeping […]

December 1, 2011

More Than Just a Drill

Sunday, June 29, 2009, was a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning as Battalion Chief Michael Gala walked into the office of Battalion 43 in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. He was relieving Battalion Chief Joseph Carlsen (now Deputy Chief, covering in Division 3). Then-Battalion Chief Joseph Carlsen (raised arm) outlines the objectives of the June […]

December 1, 2011

Rear Tenements, Part I

Editor’s Note: In Part I of this two-part article, the author provides background material on the rear tenement and covers some of the identifying characteristics that pertain to this kind of building and with which FDNY members should familiarize themselves. On March 24, 2008, at 0719 hours, the dispatcher assigned three engines and two trucks […]

December 1, 2011

Dangerous and Challenging Five-Alarmer in the Bronx

On March 9, 2011, at 1407 hours, units arrived at Box 2421, 754 Manida/Spofford Avenues in the Bronx. Members were confronted with an advanced fire in apartment two on the second floor of a 100- by 100-foot, H-type building. This apartment once was two apartments; however, the landlord made one door opening in the rear […]

March 31, 2012

Specialty “Unbreakable” Window Systems, Part I

On July 23, 2011, a punishing heat wave with high humidity continued its hold over New York City. Manhattan Box 1051 was transmitted at 0046 hours for a fire on the fourth floor of a 14-story, luxury, high-rise multiple dwelling, located at 815 Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. While Battalion 10 units were […]

March 31, 2012

Wastewater Treatment Processes

The process of removing contaminants from wastewater–both run-off (effluents) and domestic–is called sewage treatment. It can be processed close to where it is created or collected and transported via a network of pipes and pump stations to a municipal treatment plant. The purpose of wastewater management is to discharge water efficiently and remove solids from […]

March 31, 2012

Units Battle Fire and Heat Wave at Manhattan Sewage Treatment Plant

The City was experiencing a heat wave and July 20, 2010, was part of it. This day was exceptionally hot and humid, with no wind. At 1146 hours, a phone alarm was received at the Manhattan Communications Office, reporting an explosion in the engine room at the North River Sewage Treatment Plant, located at 725 […]

March 31, 2012

Initial Shoring Capabilities of On-Scene Rescue Companies (sidebar to above)

Fires and emergencies can present many hazards. Among these is instability of the structure or an area within it, resulting in collapse or partial collapse. These conditions present a hazard to life in that area. The possibility of secondary collapse further compounds that risk. Unstable areas may have to be shored for rescuers to work […]

March 31, 2012

Staten Island Collapse and Maydays Safely Resolved

On December 15, 2010, at 0047 hours, Box 3818 was transmitted for a fire reported at 4028 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island. The initial response included Engines 162 and 167, Ladders 82 and 87 and Battalion 23. At 0051 hours, Engine 162, Ladder 82 and Battalion 23 arrived at the location and observed light smoke seeping […]

December 1, 2011

More Than Just a Drill

Sunday, June 29, 2009, was a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning as Battalion Chief Michael Gala walked into the office of Battalion 43 in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. He was relieving Battalion Chief Joseph Carlsen (now Deputy Chief, covering in Division 3). Then-Battalion Chief Joseph Carlsen (raised arm) outlines the objectives of the June […]

December 1, 2011

Rear Tenements, Part I

Editor’s Note: In Part I of this two-part article, the author provides background material on the rear tenement and covers some of the identifying characteristics that pertain to this kind of building and with which FDNY members should familiarize themselves. On March 24, 2008, at 0719 hours, the dispatcher assigned three engines and two trucks […]

December 1, 2011

Dangerous and Challenging Five-Alarmer in the Bronx

On March 9, 2011, at 1407 hours, units arrived at Box 2421, 754 Manida/Spofford Avenues in the Bronx. Members were confronted with an advanced fire in apartment two on the second floor of a 100- by 100-foot, H-type building. This apartment once was two apartments; however, the landlord made one door opening in the rear […]