2008 Woodie Awards
The Might of the Heights
Washington Heights' FDNY
Shuey Jacoby
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: Features
It is not rare to glance outside the window of a Yeshiva class, hearing sirens, and to watch Ladder Co. 45's hook and ladder fire truck race down Amsterdam, bearing its signature "The Might of the Heights" logo along the side. Ladder Co. 45 is housed at the 181st Street Firehouse, along with Engine Co. 93 and Battalion 13. The men of Ladder Co. 45, along with the men of Engine Co. 93 and Battalion 13, who are all housed at the 181st street firehouse, truly are "New York's bravest." Each and every day, the men from this firehouse bravely risk their lives to save others and put out fires, and their brevity emanates from within them.
Firefighter Gomez, who has been fighting fires for two years, explains, "At the beginning it was scary, but you prepare yourself mentally. The fires we get everyday; they affect you." He added, "I love it, it's the best job in the world." Similar sentiments were echoed by many of the firehouse's firefighters.
The 181st Firehouse is the largest house in its division, a group of 4 firehouses in the area, consisting of three doors. Most are just two doors wide. Thus, it has earned the nickname, "The big house."
Engine Co. 93 was organized on March 20, 1913, followed a few months later by Ladder Co. 45, which was organized on November 27 of that year.
Both Engine and Ladder Company each have a Lieutenant in charge. Above the Lt. is the chief. The chiefs (there are three who alternate) who reside at the 181st house is in charge of the entire division. Above the chief is the Bronx deputy, Joseph Callan.
Climbing the Ladder
Becoming a member of FDNY is a thirteen-week training process, which takes place at the 27 acre New York City firefighter academy located on Randall's Island, right next to the base of the Triboro Bridge.
Normally, the recruit's day begins at 6:45 a.m. with physical training, which according to the FDNY website, "includes a five-mile run and work related drills and calisthenics." After this, they are given their daily assignment from the Drill Instructor. The mornings are generally reserved for tactic and procedure training, and the afternoons for instruction on how to conduct a building inspection. "In addition to training in fire fighting tactics and procedures Probationary Firefighters train in emergency medicine and graduate from the Academy as Certified First Responders," explains the site.
The recruits must pass a series of eight weekly tests, a midterm, and final exams in order to pass. Upon graduation, the recruit is assigned to one of FDNY's numerous companies.
Upon entrance to the academy, the recruit is considered a "probationary firefighter," better known in the firehouse as a "probys." This status remains until it has been one year since the start of training. During this time the "proby" must prove him or herself and is in charge of taking care of the truck. Firefighter Sanchez, of Engine Company 93, whose "childhood dream" it was to be a firefighter, has just 3 months until he becomes a full fledged firefighter. When this happens there will be a big dinner at the house to celebrate it. At times the job has taken its toll, as he painfully recalls an EMS call he was on the week before when a two year old child was dead on the scene.
There is a test given every four years, and those that score highest are offered promotions. Promotions can also be earned with medals received for their actions at a fire; each medal is worth a certain amount of points and when enough are earned a promotion is due.
The starting salary for a FDNY firefighter totals $40,326, but goes up progressively for five year when it peaks at $61,511. Aside from the monetary benefits, the firefighters are given other benefits such as family health coverage, generous medical leave, four weeks of vacation time, and a pension (after 20 years of service).
Go, Go, Go...
Fighting fires in New York is no simple operation. A city dispatcher sends a call to the station where it appears on a computer screen. A firefighter manning the computer in the station sounds a bell as soon as there is an incoming message. After deciphering the nature of the call, and which company, or companies, is needed, he sounds another bell. The second bell is different depending on which company is being called. Along with the bell, the on-duty firefighter announces the nature of the call over the speaker system. As soon as the company hears the call, they slide down the three-story pole into the garage, and put on their fire protective gear. A printout of the call, which contains details about the nature of the call and the address, is handed to the company Lieutenant. The garage is opened, an alarm is sounded and a red light is flashed, alerting the nearby pedestrians to stay clear of the area. The firefighters then hop aboard the truck and pull out.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which way you look at it, approximately two-thirds of the calls are false alarms, caused by a variety of things from faulty sensors to horse-play, and the firefighters just do a "vent entry search."
On the fire scene each Company has its own duties. Initially it is Ladder Co. who gains entry into the house and reports the location of the fire's source to the chief, giving the code "1075." Following this, they search the building for victims. After the building has been opened, Engine Co., following the coordinates obtained from Ladder Co., enters the building carrying the hose. Once the fire source is located the hose leader sprays at the ceiling above the flame. Firefighter Sanchez explained that due to the intense heat the water must be sprayed at the ceiling in a circular motion to first cool off the flames. The chief is outside directing and coordinating the rescue operation, and his aide relays information to him. Firefighters will only retreat from the flames if there is the heat is unbearable, their helmet alerts them they are out of oxygen, or the chief gives the order to pull out because he believes the building is about to collapse.
In this day and age, Ladder Co. rescues victims by carrying them out either through the door or through the window using the "hook and ladder." The department stopped using the trampoline back in the 1950s because there was no way to control the people, and there were times when more than one person would jump at a time, leading to unfortunate circumstances.
Different emergencies call for different variations of the companies. For example, if the call is for a rubbish fire the engine will go out by itself. For a building fire, they call three engines, two ladders, and a chief. The 181st St. Firehouse covers from 207th St. down to 160th. However, if needed they will extend further. For instance, there are times when the trucks will travel to the Bronx- their response time to the Bronx is just a few minutes. When the fire is in their coverage, they are "first due," and the other responding companies are "second due." The "first due" company is the one who sees the action, while the "2nd due" serves as backup.
When all the trucks in the house are dispatched, trucks from another house, perhaps the Bronx, will temporarily "relocate" their trucks to the 181st Firehouse, parking in their garage. The same is true vice-versa; if another house's trucks have all been dispatched then they may be called upon to relocate to that house.
Engine Co. 93 and Ladder Co. 45 consist of 25 firefighters, and five work at one time. Battalion 13 consists just of the chief and 4 aides. As mentioned, there are three chiefs attached the firehouse, and four aides, but at one time there is just one of each. The men go on 24 hour shifts, and then have two days off.
Engine Co. 93, whose logo contains "Yosemite Sam," goes on approximately 5,000 runs per year, making it the city's third busiest engine. Ladder Co. 45 goes on approximately 3,400 runs a year.
Living it up
The firehouse, which was renovated in 2002-2003, contains living quarters, a gym, a training area, a kitchen, and many other common amenities of modern living. The Firefighters rotate house and cooking duties every other month. When not fighting fires, the men have time to bond and hang out with one another, and this can clearly be observed throughout the house. There is a joke rivalry between the Ladder and Engine Company. Firefighter Gomez explained that Engine Co. constantly kids to Ladder Co., "You guys just open the door, but we turn off the fire." Of course Ladder Co. responds that if they "didn't open the door Engine Co. would never be able to turn off the fire."
Aside from spending time in the house, the men spend time together outside it also. There are firehouse softball and basketball teams, which have been in the city championship the last few years. They have won the Manhattan basketball championship a few times, but "there is a team in Brooklyn that is pretty good," that defeats them in the city championship. There are also company picnics, barbeques, a Christmas Party, a dance, and other events. "It's a lot of fun here," said Firefighter Mike, who has been serving on Battalion 13 for 22 years. So much fun, in fact, that former Firefighter Vince who retired from the force a year ago still stops by to visit.
The firehouse has a pet cat to catch the mice, but no Dalmatian. "We can't have one because it would run out into the busy street and get killed," explained Firefighter Mike.
Yeshiva Co.
Firefighter Marty Curid, of Ladder Co. 45, said that the Fire House and Yeshiva have a friendly relationship. Yeshiva in fact helped fight an FDNY plan to house six FDNY ambulances at the firehouse as well. The firehouse was against it because they felt there was too much traffic on the street to begin with, and it would be impractical to house ambulances there. Ultimately, the town board vetoed the plan. Fortunately, they have never had to respond to an actual fire call at Yeshiva.
Firefighter Gomez, who has been fighting fires for two years, explains, "At the beginning it was scary, but you prepare yourself mentally. The fires we get everyday; they affect you." He added, "I love it, it's the best job in the world." Similar sentiments were echoed by many of the firehouse's firefighters.
The 181st Firehouse is the largest house in its division, a group of 4 firehouses in the area, consisting of three doors. Most are just two doors wide. Thus, it has earned the nickname, "The big house."
Engine Co. 93 was organized on March 20, 1913, followed a few months later by Ladder Co. 45, which was organized on November 27 of that year.
Both Engine and Ladder Company each have a Lieutenant in charge. Above the Lt. is the chief. The chiefs (there are three who alternate) who reside at the 181st house is in charge of the entire division. Above the chief is the Bronx deputy, Joseph Callan.
Climbing the Ladder
Becoming a member of FDNY is a thirteen-week training process, which takes place at the 27 acre New York City firefighter academy located on Randall's Island, right next to the base of the Triboro Bridge.
Normally, the recruit's day begins at 6:45 a.m. with physical training, which according to the FDNY website, "includes a five-mile run and work related drills and calisthenics." After this, they are given their daily assignment from the Drill Instructor. The mornings are generally reserved for tactic and procedure training, and the afternoons for instruction on how to conduct a building inspection. "In addition to training in fire fighting tactics and procedures Probationary Firefighters train in emergency medicine and graduate from the Academy as Certified First Responders," explains the site.
The recruits must pass a series of eight weekly tests, a midterm, and final exams in order to pass. Upon graduation, the recruit is assigned to one of FDNY's numerous companies.
Upon entrance to the academy, the recruit is considered a "probationary firefighter," better known in the firehouse as a "probys." This status remains until it has been one year since the start of training. During this time the "proby" must prove him or herself and is in charge of taking care of the truck. Firefighter Sanchez, of Engine Company 93, whose "childhood dream" it was to be a firefighter, has just 3 months until he becomes a full fledged firefighter. When this happens there will be a big dinner at the house to celebrate it. At times the job has taken its toll, as he painfully recalls an EMS call he was on the week before when a two year old child was dead on the scene.
There is a test given every four years, and those that score highest are offered promotions. Promotions can also be earned with medals received for their actions at a fire; each medal is worth a certain amount of points and when enough are earned a promotion is due.
The starting salary for a FDNY firefighter totals $40,326, but goes up progressively for five year when it peaks at $61,511. Aside from the monetary benefits, the firefighters are given other benefits such as family health coverage, generous medical leave, four weeks of vacation time, and a pension (after 20 years of service).
Go, Go, Go...
Fighting fires in New York is no simple operation. A city dispatcher sends a call to the station where it appears on a computer screen. A firefighter manning the computer in the station sounds a bell as soon as there is an incoming message. After deciphering the nature of the call, and which company, or companies, is needed, he sounds another bell. The second bell is different depending on which company is being called. Along with the bell, the on-duty firefighter announces the nature of the call over the speaker system. As soon as the company hears the call, they slide down the three-story pole into the garage, and put on their fire protective gear. A printout of the call, which contains details about the nature of the call and the address, is handed to the company Lieutenant. The garage is opened, an alarm is sounded and a red light is flashed, alerting the nearby pedestrians to stay clear of the area. The firefighters then hop aboard the truck and pull out.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which way you look at it, approximately two-thirds of the calls are false alarms, caused by a variety of things from faulty sensors to horse-play, and the firefighters just do a "vent entry search."
On the fire scene each Company has its own duties. Initially it is Ladder Co. who gains entry into the house and reports the location of the fire's source to the chief, giving the code "1075." Following this, they search the building for victims. After the building has been opened, Engine Co., following the coordinates obtained from Ladder Co., enters the building carrying the hose. Once the fire source is located the hose leader sprays at the ceiling above the flame. Firefighter Sanchez explained that due to the intense heat the water must be sprayed at the ceiling in a circular motion to first cool off the flames. The chief is outside directing and coordinating the rescue operation, and his aide relays information to him. Firefighters will only retreat from the flames if there is the heat is unbearable, their helmet alerts them they are out of oxygen, or the chief gives the order to pull out because he believes the building is about to collapse.
In this day and age, Ladder Co. rescues victims by carrying them out either through the door or through the window using the "hook and ladder." The department stopped using the trampoline back in the 1950s because there was no way to control the people, and there were times when more than one person would jump at a time, leading to unfortunate circumstances.
Different emergencies call for different variations of the companies. For example, if the call is for a rubbish fire the engine will go out by itself. For a building fire, they call three engines, two ladders, and a chief. The 181st St. Firehouse covers from 207th St. down to 160th. However, if needed they will extend further. For instance, there are times when the trucks will travel to the Bronx- their response time to the Bronx is just a few minutes. When the fire is in their coverage, they are "first due," and the other responding companies are "second due." The "first due" company is the one who sees the action, while the "2nd due" serves as backup.
When all the trucks in the house are dispatched, trucks from another house, perhaps the Bronx, will temporarily "relocate" their trucks to the 181st Firehouse, parking in their garage. The same is true vice-versa; if another house's trucks have all been dispatched then they may be called upon to relocate to that house.
Engine Co. 93 and Ladder Co. 45 consist of 25 firefighters, and five work at one time. Battalion 13 consists just of the chief and 4 aides. As mentioned, there are three chiefs attached the firehouse, and four aides, but at one time there is just one of each. The men go on 24 hour shifts, and then have two days off.
Engine Co. 93, whose logo contains "Yosemite Sam," goes on approximately 5,000 runs per year, making it the city's third busiest engine. Ladder Co. 45 goes on approximately 3,400 runs a year.
Living it up
The firehouse, which was renovated in 2002-2003, contains living quarters, a gym, a training area, a kitchen, and many other common amenities of modern living. The Firefighters rotate house and cooking duties every other month. When not fighting fires, the men have time to bond and hang out with one another, and this can clearly be observed throughout the house. There is a joke rivalry between the Ladder and Engine Company. Firefighter Gomez explained that Engine Co. constantly kids to Ladder Co., "You guys just open the door, but we turn off the fire." Of course Ladder Co. responds that if they "didn't open the door Engine Co. would never be able to turn off the fire."
Aside from spending time in the house, the men spend time together outside it also. There are firehouse softball and basketball teams, which have been in the city championship the last few years. They have won the Manhattan basketball championship a few times, but "there is a team in Brooklyn that is pretty good," that defeats them in the city championship. There are also company picnics, barbeques, a Christmas Party, a dance, and other events. "It's a lot of fun here," said Firefighter Mike, who has been serving on Battalion 13 for 22 years. So much fun, in fact, that former Firefighter Vince who retired from the force a year ago still stops by to visit.
The firehouse has a pet cat to catch the mice, but no Dalmatian. "We can't have one because it would run out into the busy street and get killed," explained Firefighter Mike.
Yeshiva Co.
Firefighter Marty Curid, of Ladder Co. 45, said that the Fire House and Yeshiva have a friendly relationship. Yeshiva in fact helped fight an FDNY plan to house six FDNY ambulances at the firehouse as well. The firehouse was against it because they felt there was too much traffic on the street to begin with, and it would be impractical to house ambulances there. Ultimately, the town board vetoed the plan. Fortunately, they have never had to respond to an actual fire call at Yeshiva.