Tag Archives: Rescue 1

Posted on by

FDNY Rescue 1 Quarters Destroyed

From the Vault:
Spectacular photo by John Lee Gill of the 10-alarm fire that destroyed the quarters of Rescue 1 on Jan. 23, 1985 on West 43rd Street in Manhattan.. This was a verbal alarm transmitted by off-duty members of Rescue 1. Box 798 was transmitted at 1926 hours. At the fire’s height flames were venting out more than 80 windows. This 2nd shot was taken by Harvey Eisner, (a great friend, writer & photographer- miss you!) It shows the flames leaping from every window of the former piano factory. The building was 90 X 125-feet eight-stories high. That night the neighborhood truly was “Hell’s Kitchen!”  Paul Hashagen
www.gettinsaltyapparel.com

12109124_1693468380886599_7986538062551717490_n 12112324_1693468360886601_6453927398622192992_n

Posted on by

Rescue 1 FDNY

From the Vault:
One Hundred Years Ago Today-
March 7, 1915 was a Sunday. The members of the FDNY’s newest unit Rescue Company 1 had the day off. They had just finished exhaustive training that started on January 19th. They mastered the use of the smoke helmets, cutting torches, pulmotors, block and tackle, bottle jacks and studied the operation and repair of large ammonia systems. The following day they would embark on a journey into uncharted waters. They would go where no other firemen had ever gone, and lived to talk about it.
They would crawl, or wade or walk into clouds of toxic smoke and gases. Pull unconscious firemen and civilians from water and carbon monoxide filled cellars and sub-cellars. They would plunge into the holds of ships with hose lines or swing on ropes to reach people trapped by flames.
The entire history of heavy & technical rescue, and hazardous materials operations can be directly traced back to one captain, a lieutenant and eight men that rolled out of a firehouse in lower Manhattan and started a branch of the fire service that is still growing today.
This new saga would begin tomorrow morning- 100 years ago.
Stay tuned!

rescue1 rescue1-1

Posted on by

FDNY Rescue 1 at Madison Square Garden

Great photo of Rescue 1 taken outside Madison Square Garden during one of the 1947 Midnight Alarm shows. There were several versions of the Midnight Alarm, where the FDNY showed their skills to a arena filled with people. The proceeds from the first show (1935) went to purchasing an ambulance for the department. Subsequent shows raised money to send the FDNY band to the American Legion convention in 1938, and this show in 1947 to help the FDNY Welfare Fund.
Salty Dog Apparel & Co.
Cool old school Firefighter apparel

fdny rescue 1 rescue 1

Posted on by

FDNY Rescue 1 Created

From the Vault:
One Hundred Years Ago Today-
After the tragic subway fire on January 6, 1915. FDNY Chief Kenlon and the commissioner put their plans for the creation of a new company- a rescue company, on the fast track. Kenlon chose a young captain, John J. McElligott of Ladder 1 to be the first commander. His lieutenant would be Edwin Hotchkiss of Ladder 21, who’d been cited for bravery and leadership at the recent subway fire. McElligott and Kenlon then hand-picked the remaining eight firemen (from hundreds of volunteers) who would become the first rescue men.
The applicants were checked out physically and evaluated for their skills. Being a proven fireman was of course the first critical criteria. Members who also had experience as mechanics, engineers, electricians, iron workers and riggers etc., were given preference. A tough physical and medical exam was given due to the severe work the new company was expected to encounter.
The new men were chosen, announced to the department on Special Order #10 and reported for the beginning of their specialized training. A new era in the fire service was beginning!
Next- the first rescue men.   Paul Hashagen-author

1 2