38 entries.
wrote on December 20, 2018
at
9:15 pm
TO ENGINE COMPANY 231, LADDER COMPANY 120, AND THE 44, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND STAY SAFE.
wrote on October 2, 2018
at
9:41 pm
It is with deep sadness that I share news of the death of Retired Battalion Commander Joseph N. Brocco, which occurred on Oct. 1, 2018.
Chief Brocco was, at times, a stern taskmaster. He was always diligent, highly competent, and truly believed that the mission of the FDNY was both noble and honorable. He held himself to a high standard and expected the same of those who worked alongside him.
For me, Joe was a Mentor, a Friend, and a Beloved Comrade who truly lived a Life of Service .
R I P Brother Brocco.
wrote on July 26, 2018
at
5:57 pm
TO WATKINS STREET ENGINE COMPANY 231, PLEASE TELL FORMER CAPTAIN CONIGLIO I SAID HELLO, HE WAS A GREAT CAPTAIN DURING HIS YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE FDNY, I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.
wrote on July 21, 2018
at
12:08 am
TO ENGINE 231, LADDER 120, AND BATTALION 44, I DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INFO REGARDING THE SALVAGE UNIT THAT WAS PARKED N FRONT OF QUARTERS. THE FOLLOWING IS INFO I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN N REGARDS TO THE FIRE PATROL SERVICE: IN 1867 THE FIRE SALVAGE WAS CHARTERED AS A PAID FIRE SALVAGE SERVICE MANAGED BY THE NEW YORK BOARD OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS. THE CHARTER STIPULATED THAT COMPANIES INSURING PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY HAD TO PAY THE BOARD AN ANNUAL TAX WHICH WAS USED TO PAY THE PATROL MEN. IN THE 20TH CENTURY, FIRE PATROLMEN BECAME ESTABLISHED AS WORKING PARTNERS WITH THE CITYS FIREMEN. BETWEEN 1910 AND 1916, THE PATROL STEAM ENGINES WERE REPLACED BY GAS POWERED VEHICLES, MORE PATROL COMPANIES WERE ESTABLISHED IN MANHATTAN AND THE BRONX, AND IN 1910 THE BROOKLYN FIRE INSURANCE SALVAGE CORPS MERGED WITH THE NYFP. THE FIRE PATROL HAD TEN COMPANIES AND AROUND FOUR HUNDRED PATROLMEN. BECAUSE THE COST OF THE NYFP WAS FUNDED BY INSURANCE PREMIUMS, POLICY HOLDERS PAID FOR SERVICE THAT BENEFITED THE UNINSURED AS WELL. THE NEW YORK BOARD OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS ORDERED LOCAL CHAPTERS TO TERMINATE FIRE PATROL SERVICES AND ALLOW FIREFIGHTERS TO HANDLE SALVAGE WORK. THE DISBANDING OF SALVAGE UNITS IN NEW YORK STARTED IN THE 1930'S, BY 1960, THREE CITIES HAD ACTIVE PATROLS. THE NYFP COMPANIES WHICH WERE UNFORTUNATELY PUT OUT OF SERVICE AT 0800 HOURS ON OCTOBER 15, 2006, WERE THE LAST FIRE PATROLS IN THE UNITED STATES. AND THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THE FIRE PATROL THIRTY TWO MEMBERS PERISHED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, INCLUDING FIRE PATROLMAN KEITH M. ROMA ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.
wrote on July 18, 2018
at
11:15 pm
ATTENTION THE FOLLOWING UNITS: ENGINE 231, LADDER 120, AND BATTALION 44, STAY LOW LET IT BLOW.
wrote on July 8, 2018
at
7:19 pm
I am the son of BC Eugene G. Dowd dec'd 1/27/55
I hope to have the website
44thbattalionmemorial.com up and running again in a few weeks .
My prayers are with you guys all the time
wrote on June 15, 2018
at
12:24 am
IN BROOKLYN ATTENTION ENGINE 231, CONGRATS TO THE TWO PROBIES JOHN HANBROOK AND GERARD ROSCIANO FOR BEING ASSIGNED TO THE BROWNSVILLE ENGINE COMPANY, STAY SAFE.
wrote on May 21, 2018
at
6:47 pm
1953 53 my uncle LT Harry Kemp was a firefighter watkins st , Down from the corner hot dog stand wher "Murder Inc " hung out . Always wanted to be a fire fighter and now a retired Chief
wrote on March 10, 2018
at
1:11 pm
I was member of the Fire Salvage Corps from 1972 t0 1985
wrote on March 10, 2018
at
1:07 pm
wrote on March 1, 2018
at
2:53 pm
To JJ Connolly; what the hell you doing up at 2 and 3 am writing poison pen notes in the guest book? Can't get any 'sack-time' in the big city due to the traffic noise?
It was good seeing your name up there and knowing that you're still around. I bet you're surprised I am.
Ha, ha!! Take care of yourself.
wrote on January 12, 2018
at
11:10 pm
Thanks for the useful information!
wrote on November 11, 2017
at
10:54 am
Thank you for keeping me from the dark side. All the members of Watkins St. contributed in this time But, I give special thanks to Battalion Chief Joseph N. Brocco who took me under his wing and showed me the nobility of being the bravest and helping those who cant help themselves, instead of tearing down the neighborhood you live in. I'm forever indebted to him wherever he may be. My gratitude to him gives me happiness and joy when we leave the house to give assistance to our communities.
wrote on November 5, 2017
at
4:35 am
Was in 120 from 1960 to 1977.....promoted.....Capt. Joe Gates called me & put Bobby Mielle in my group...I said ok & that night they had the laundry fire & the roof collapsed & Bobby was burned to death ????????
wrote on November 1, 2017
at
12:11 am
ATTENTION ENGINE 231, I HAVE A GREAT IDEA, THE UNIT SHOULD NOW BECOME A SQUAD COMPANY, SQUAD 231. THANK YOU TO THE WATKINS STREET MEMBERS FOR YOUR DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, AND BRAVERY, STAY SAFE.
wrote on September 21, 2017
at
10:03 pm
Good job! Thanks for the work and keep it up!
wrote on September 4, 2017
at
8:57 pm
TO ENGINE COMPANY 231, BROWNSVILLE RIG COMPANY 120, AND BATTALION 44, STAY SAFE.
wrote on September 4, 2017
at
3:30 am
Knew, & worked with, Mel Harper,,,,,Good Guy !!!