Latest

September 30, 2015

When a “Routine” Call is Anything but Routine

On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at 2143 hours, units in Queens were dispatched to Box 7474 at 30-14 Steinway Street in the Astoria neighborhood. It came in as a UCT alarm for an odor of gas. While responding, the dispatcher called with additional information, stating there was food on the stove in the third-floor apartment. […]

September 30, 2015

Responding to an Electrical Odor

Day in and day out, the FDNY responds to numerous calls for an electrical condition or odors. In each case, Firefighters should be formulating their own size-up of the situation that they might encounter when they arrive on-scene. Frequently when responding to an electrical odor in a taxpayer, Firefighters find an overheated or defective light […]

September 30, 2015

FDNY Members Meet Challenges of Brooklyn Hardware Store Fire

In the early-morning hours of January 21, 2015, units responded to Brooklyn Box 1241 for a UCT911 call reporting a fire in a hardware store. The fire went to a fifth alarm for relief purposes and took almost five hours before it was placed Under Control.  Tragically, one civilian died during the fire after he […]

August 30, 2015

An Intro to the Columbia Association

On March 23,1934, the honorable John J. McElligott, Fire Chief and Commissioner, and the Honorable Deputy Fire Commissioner Francis X. Giaccono approved a request made by Captain John Capillo, Engine 28. The request follows: I herewith submit for your approval, a brief to be used by myself and other members of this Department, for the […]

June 30, 2015

The Week That Was…

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has responded to countless fires and disasters in its storied 150-year history. Some fires–such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire–have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of all Americans and were the inspiration for the reform movement that swept the nation in the early part of […]

June 30, 2015

What Qualities Make a Superior Chief’s Firefighters/Aide?

The Chief’s Firefighter/Aide must handle myriad responsibilities, while acting as the eyes and ears of the Chief. A truly good Aide will handle enough responsibility to enable his/her Officer to devote time to the more important functions–developing strategy and tactics–while operating at a fire/emergency. Battalion Firefighter firefighting duties Battalion Firefighters respond to all kinds of […]

June 30, 2015

Window Security Shutters/Devices

This article is intended to raise awareness of an uncommon window security device (WSD), known as the roll-down or German shutter. These devices are used for privacy and security concerns, protection from storms, to improve insulation or for sunlight and noise reduction. A fire in a home with these devices can affect FDNY operations by: […]

September 30, 2015

When a “Routine” Call is Anything but Routine

On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at 2143 hours, units in Queens were dispatched to Box 7474 at 30-14 Steinway Street in the Astoria neighborhood. It came in as a UCT alarm for an odor of gas. While responding, the dispatcher called with additional information, stating there was food on the stove in the third-floor apartment. […]

September 30, 2015

Responding to an Electrical Odor

Day in and day out, the FDNY responds to numerous calls for an electrical condition or odors. In each case, Firefighters should be formulating their own size-up of the situation that they might encounter when they arrive on-scene. Frequently when responding to an electrical odor in a taxpayer, Firefighters find an overheated or defective light […]

September 30, 2015

FDNY Members Meet Challenges of Brooklyn Hardware Store Fire

In the early-morning hours of January 21, 2015, units responded to Brooklyn Box 1241 for a UCT911 call reporting a fire in a hardware store. The fire went to a fifth alarm for relief purposes and took almost five hours before it was placed Under Control.  Tragically, one civilian died during the fire after he […]

August 30, 2015

An Intro to the Columbia Association

On March 23,1934, the honorable John J. McElligott, Fire Chief and Commissioner, and the Honorable Deputy Fire Commissioner Francis X. Giaccono approved a request made by Captain John Capillo, Engine 28. The request follows: I herewith submit for your approval, a brief to be used by myself and other members of this Department, for the […]

June 30, 2015

The Week That Was…

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has responded to countless fires and disasters in its storied 150-year history. Some fires–such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire–have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of all Americans and were the inspiration for the reform movement that swept the nation in the early part of […]

June 30, 2015

What Qualities Make a Superior Chief’s Firefighters/Aide?

The Chief’s Firefighter/Aide must handle myriad responsibilities, while acting as the eyes and ears of the Chief. A truly good Aide will handle enough responsibility to enable his/her Officer to devote time to the more important functions–developing strategy and tactics–while operating at a fire/emergency. Battalion Firefighter firefighting duties Battalion Firefighters respond to all kinds of […]

June 30, 2015

Window Security Shutters/Devices

This article is intended to raise awareness of an uncommon window security device (WSD), known as the roll-down or German shutter. These devices are used for privacy and security concerns, protection from storms, to improve insulation or for sunlight and noise reduction. A fire in a home with these devices can affect FDNY operations by: […]