1st Responder FDNY August Edition

This section is exclusively dedicated to coverage of the New York City Fire Department PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

FDNY NEWS

WWW.1RBN.COM

AUGUST, 2015

ALLEN EPSTEIN

On June 10, 2015, FDNY firefighters and EMS in Queens were dispatched to a two truck MVA at Metropolitan and Onderdonk Avenues. One truck hit the back of another, pinning a driver.

- See full story on page 9

Join our Team of Dispatchers Paging with a Rewards Program!

Visit our website to fill out an application.

www.1rwn.com “Where the news gets its news!”

- Page 2

PAGE 2

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

JOHN HOPPER

JOHN HOPPER

JOHN HOPPER

Smoke in Bronx commercial

On Friday, June 19, 2015, companies turned out to 1776 East Tremont Avenue off of Saint Lawrence Avenue for a report of smoke from a commercial building. Battalion 20 arrived on scene and was advised by Ladder 58 that they had a smoke condition in a two story Class 4 25x100 building and were trying to locate the fire. The 20 transmitted a 10-75 and requested an additional engine and truck (E88/L38). The fire was located in an electrical system in the basement and quickly knocked down. The incident was then placed under control.

FLASHBACK JOHN HOPPER

If you have photos you would like to see in our Flashback feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

All hands in eighth floor apartment

On the evening of Friday, June 19, 2015, companies turned out to 2275 Randall Avenue between Castle Hill and Havemeyer Avenues for a reported fire on the eight floor in Apartment 8 with a report of children in the aparmtent. Ladder 47 transmitted a 10-75 from two blocks away for fire out the windows. Battalion 20 arrived on scene and transmitted a 10-77 (Hi-Rise Residential Fire) and put all hands to work for a fire on the eight floor of a twelve story 100x100 occupied multiple dwelling. The children and the mother made it outunassisted and were made 10-45 Code 4's (fire related victim with minor injuries). The fire was quickly knocked down and the incident was placed under control with an approximate 30 minute duration.

RUSSELL CURLEY

FDNY Engine 68 in the Bronx was a 1986 Mack/E-One 1250 gpm pumper. It was a white over red apparatus and the rig that came with Yankee pinstripes and lettering. This photo was taken in 1986.

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2015

JOHN HOPPER

PAGE 3

ALLEN EPSTEIN

All hands in the Bronx

On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at approximately 12:15 a.m., Bronx companies turned out to 1600 Stillwell Avenue off McDonald Street for a report of a fire in a warehouse. Engine 97 arrived on scene first due and transmitted a 10-75 for a fire in a commercial building. Truck companies gained entry to the building and found a car on fire inside a garage. The fire began to darken down when it extended to a mezzanine above. Battalion 20 ordered all units to back out of the fire building due to the lightweight construction of the building. Tower ladders were set up as a precaution and the fire was eventually knocked down. The incident was placed under control with an approximate one hour duration.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Fire on two floors in Brooklyn

On June 13, 2015, FDNY firefighters were dispatched to Gates and Summer Avenues for a fire on the fifth floor of a six brick apartment house. Fire was found in the rear with heavy smoke in the hallways on the fifth and sixth floors. The building was quickly laddered. Occupants were kept in place in their apartments while the crews worked the fire, which was quickly extinguished. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.

COMMAND VEHICLES If you have photos you would like to see in our Command Vehicles feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Fire in a rear tenement

On June 13, 2015, FDNY firefighters were dispatched for a fire in a rear tenement on Troutman Street and Evergreen Avenue in Brooklyn. Crews entered through the side alley in order to reach the rear building. Two hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.

RICHARD YORK

Battalion 39 used All Hands at Box 8538 for fire in the basement of a private dwelling located at 8603 86th Avenue off Jamaica Ave.

PAGE 4

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Squad 1 FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock

Park Slope, Brooklyn has been named one of the “greatest neighborhoods in America” for its history, charm and architectural design. It is one of the most sought after places to live in Brooklyn.

Park Slope sits in the Northwest portion of the borough. It proximity to transportation and Prospect Park make it an ideal place to live.

Located at 788 Union Street is Squad Company 1. This single engine company has been here since 1977 and operates as a part of the special operations division of the fire department.

Serving Park Slope as well as half of Brooklyn and Staten Island, they respond to all working fires and specialized rescues needed in these areas.

One the most iconic symbols of Brooklyn and all of New York City sits a short distance from their firehouse, Grand Army Plaza, an 11-acre oval plaza that forms the main entrance to Prospect Park.

In August of 1889, a blind jury of experts, who were appointed by the soldiers and sailors commission, selected the design of John Duncan from a field of thirty six entries submitted. Duncan proposed a freestanding arch of classical style similar to the Arch De Triomphe in Paris.

After two months of preparing the site, builder William Sherman laid the cornerstone of the arch in October of 1889. After three years of construction, President Grover Cleveland presided over the unveiling and dedication on October

Additional FDNY Houses columns by Larry Woodcock can be found at www.1rbn.com

21,1892.

Inside the arch and on the facing walls are equestrian relief sculptures of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S.Grant.

Over the years and up until 1901, other sculptural groupings were added including the pedestals of the Army and Navy group.

In 1980, the Park Slope historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

It is a 33 block area of almost exclusively residential building that were built between 1862 and 1920.

The variety of two and three story brownstones are located on the streets adjacent to Prospect Park. Over the years, some have sold for as much as 5 million dollars.

Squad 1’s history, albeit a short one, has been filled with triumph as well as tragedy.

Organized in 1955 and placed in service, they moved around several times over the years.

There were originally placed in service on April 16, 1955 with 59 Engine in Manhattan with the firehouse on 137th Street.

They moved to the quarters of 45 and 58 on East 176th Street in the Bronx on November 22, 1972 and then to their new firehouse on East Tremont in October of 1975.

They were disbanded on May 1s, 1976 along with many other companies during the city’s fiscal crisis.

This was during the Lindsey administration when fires and false

alarms were overtaxing units citywide.

Before Squad 1, Engine 269, organized on October of 1908, occupied the firehouse on Union Street. In November of 1975, they too were disbanded, as closings of companies were becoming a yearly occurrence. The Park Slope community staged numerous protests and put tremendous pressure on the administration to open up the firehouse again.

The city caved in and reorganized Squad Company 1 on December 1, 1977 and placed them on Union Street. Members volunteered and some were chosen from around the five boroughs to staff the new company and would respond to many of the city’s most

LARRY WOODCOCK

notable fires since its inception.

On 9/11, Squad 1 lost almost half of it’s roster due many members responding to the terrorists’ attacks at the World Trade Center.

The attacks happened during the change of tours and many firefighters had not gone home yet.

Part of their destroyed engine is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Prior to 9/11, the company had one line of duty death in its history.

The firehouse was built in 1907 and remains as a neighborhood symbol of a service in unwavering protection of its community, just as the citizens of Park Slope fought for two years to have them back.

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2015

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2015

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

RICHARD YORK

Engine 293 at a basement fire in a private dwelling located at 8603 86th Avenue off Jamaica Ave.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Three alarms needed in Brooklyn On June 16, 2015, FDNY firefighters were dispatched to Putnam and Bushwhack Avenues for a fire in a three frame vacant building. Upon arrival, fire was found throughout the building. During the firefight, the roof collapsed. Two tower ladders and four hose lines were used to extinguish the blaze.

RICHARD YORK

332 on scene at a second alarm for fire in a two story private dwelling at 220 Montauk Ave in East New York, Brooklyn

RICHARD YORK

Battalion 44 on the scene of a two story private dwelling in East New York

Squad 288 second piece is a 2015 Freightliner/Ferrara

JOHN HOPPER

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2015

PAGE 9

Vehicle News

RON JEFFERS

FDNY Rescue Operations Scuba Unit has been assigned a 2014 Dodge/Ferrara apparatus.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Two truck MVA in Queens On June 10, 2015, FDNY firefighters and EMS in Queens were dispatched to a two truck MVA at Metropolitan and Onderdonk Avenues. One truck hit the back of another, pinning a driver. The Hurst tool was used to extricate the patient, who was then transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

RON JEFFERS

The FDNY 150th anniversary ambulance is a 2015 Ford F450/Wheeled Coach model.

JEFF CRIANZA

Engine 233 is a 2016 KME 2000/500

JOHN HOPPER

Visit us at www.1rbn.com for more Vehicle News

EMS treats patient after police involved shooting

Bronx, NY. On the morning of June 10th, FDNY EMS responded to a gun shot victim. NYPD had responded to 2000 Valentine Avenue for a dispute with a shot female. Officers entered the apartment and found a male with a hand gun. The officers told him to drop the weapon, but he refused. The male was shot by an officer and was removed by FDNY EMS to St. Barnabas Hospital in traumatic arrest. The investigation is ongoing.

PAGE 10

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little Big Guys feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

JOHN HOPPER

All Terrain Response Vehicle E329 "ATRV" - 2002 Ford F-450, this unit is a spare due to the regular vehicle being destroyed in Hurricane Sandy, it is scheduled to be replaced soon.

JEFF CRIANZA

Five NYPD officers injured in MVA

On Sunday night, June 21st, two NYPD cars were responding to a call for assistance when they collided with each other, sending five officers to Jacobi Hospital. Four of the officers suffered back and neck pain, but one officer did suffer a head injury. The impact of the collision sent one police car onto the sidewalk and hitting a pole.

Brush Fire Unit E321 - 2012 F-350 Pickup

JOHN HOPPER

Codes, Rules, and Initiatives, a Safety Refresher - Part III STAYING SAFE

Chief Henry Campbell

Last month we listed the IAFC Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Survival and each rule as proposed by the IAFC has an objective and a NIOSH Fatality Report accompanying it. The objective or purpose of the rule is to correct an action or inaction that generally results in death or injury to a firefighter. The NIOSH report cites an example as to had the rule been practiced, it may have prevented the incident from occurring.

In this article on the IAFC Rules of Engagement for the Fire Service are listed the 14 rules and their objectives for incident commanders.

The Incident Commanders Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Safety: Rapidly Conduct, or Obtain, a 360 Degree Size Up of the Incident.

Objective: To cause the incident commander to obtain an early 360 degree survey and risk assessment of the fireground in order to determine the safest approach to tactical operations as part the risk assessment and action plan development and before firefighters are placed at substantial risk.

Determine the Occupant Survival Profile. Objective: To cause the incident commander to consider fire conditions in relation to possible occupant survival of a successful rescue event before committing firefighters to high risk search and rescue operations as part of the initial and ongoing risk assessment and action plan development.

Conduct an Initial Risk Assessment and Implement a Safe Action Plan. Objective: To cause the incident commander to develop a safe action plan by conducting a thorough size-up, assess the occupant survival profile and completing a thorough risk assessment before firefighters are placed in high risk positions on the fireground.

If You Do Not Have the Resources to Safely Support and Protect Firefighters –Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. Objective: To prevent the commitment of firefighters to high risk tactical objectives that cannot be accomplished safely due to inadequate resources on the scene.

Do Not Risk Firefighter Lives for Lives or Property That Can Not Be Saved –Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. Objective: To prevent the commitment of firefighters to high risk search and rescue and firefighting operations that may harm them when fire conditions prevent occupant survival and significant or total destruction of the building is in-

evitable.

Extend Limited Risk to Protect Savable Property. Objective: To cause the incident commander to limit risk exposure to a reasonable, cautious and conservative level when trying to save a building that is believed, following a thorough size up, to be savable.

Extend Vigilant and Measured Risk to Protect and Rescue Savable Lives. Objective: To cause the incident commander to manage search and rescue, and supporting firefighting operations, in a highly calculated, controlled, and cautious manner, while remaining alert to changing conditions, during high risk search and rescue operations where lives can be saved.

Act Upon Reported Unsafe Practices and Conditions That Can Harm Them. Stop, Evaluate and Decide.

Objective: To prevent firefighters and supervisors from engaging in unsafe practices or exposure to unsafe conditions that will harm them and allowing any member to raise an alert about a safety concern without penalty and mandating the incident commander and command organization officers promptly address the question to insure safe operations.

Maintain Frequent Two-Way Communications and Keep Interior Crews Informed of Changing Conditions. Objective: To insure that the incident commander is obtaining

frequent progress reports from command organization officers and all interior crews are kept informed of changing fire conditions observed from the exterior by the incident commander, or other command officers, that may affect crew safety.

Obtain Frequent Progress Reports and Revise the Action Plan.

Objective: To cause the incident commander, as well as all command organization officers, to obtain frequent progress reports, to continually assess fire conditions and any risk to firefighters, and to regularly adjust and revise the action plan to maintain safe operations.

Ensure Accurate Accountability of All Firefighter Location and Status. Objective: To cause the incident commander, and command organization officers, to maintain a constant and accurate accountability of the location and status of all firefighters within a small geographic area of accuracy within the hazard zone and be aware of who is presently in or out of the building.

If, After Completion of the Primary Search, Little or No Progress Towards Fire Control Has Been Achieved - Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. Objective: To cause a benchmark decision point, requiring the incident commander to determine if it’s safe to continue offensive interior operations if there is no progress in controlling the fire and

there are no lives to be saved following the completion of the primary search.

Always Have a Rapid Intervention Team in Place at All Working Fires. Objective: To cause the incident commander to have a RIT in place ready to rescue firefighters at all working fires.

Always Have Firefighter Rehab Services in Place at All Working Fires. Objective: To insure all firefighters who endured physically strenuous activity at a working fire are rehabilitated and medically evaluated for continued duty.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs has developed these Rules of Engagement and they should be guidelines implemented by all fire departments and firefighters at all emergency incidents to which they respond. Firefighter safety requires there be an officer or senior member in command of the emergency situation trained to a higher level than that of firefighters. They must be knowledgeable and experienced in emergency scene operations. If there is no one to command the incident, all operations should be limited to exterior only until proper supervision is on scene.

In the next issue we will review the 16 Life Safety Initiatives.

Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2015

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

August, 2015

1ST Responder Newspaper - FDNY