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Post by jon hynes on Sept 26, 2008 23:00:41 GMT -5
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 0:53:08 GMT -5
Engine Company No 2 for many years stationed in John Street, went out of existence when the Central Fire Station became active in the work of the city fire fighting. Engine Company No 2's apparatus went to the Central Fire Station, and the men reassigned to other companies. Second Deputy Chief Engineer William F. Dacey was captain of No. 4's organization for many years. John Sweeney, the veteran engineer of the old company for upwards of a quarter of a century, retired on a pension. His death occurred about two years ago. Mathew Flynn, on Deputy Chief Engineer Dacey's left, then a lieutenant to the company, has retired from the service. William Walker is still in the service as driver for Second Deputy Chief Engineer Darcey. James McCain is the engineer of Engine B Central Fire Station. Fred McGee is stationed at Engine Company No. 3 E. J. Breitenstein and William Girvan are dead.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 1:50:31 GMT -5
Engine Company No. 3 stationed in Washington Street near Lafayette Street was the predecessor of the Central Fire Station. No. 3 house served in that capacity until the head of the city demanded a larger central fire fighting organization, and then the house was abandoned and the apparatus transferred to the central house in Elizabeth Street. It was for years regarded as one of the most important fire houses in the city. Tim Sullivan rated as one of the best men in the department, was a driver at No. 3's until he was transferred to the Central Fire Station, where he is driver of Hose B Mr Sullivan went into the department in 1877 and his service has been deserving of promotion. Mr. Sullivan sitting on the left of Chief Engineer D. J. Sullivan who for many years was the captain of No. 3's company. He entered the department on December 9, 1876. Third Deputy Chief Engineer H. F. Killian, then a lieutenant in No. 3's company, and Charles Vanderpool, another fire fighter of the volunteer department days, the latter retired on a pension are seated with Chief Engineer Sullivan. Lenard Walters, standing at the left, has retired. E. J. Miller, then a private at No.3's company, has been promoted to captainey and is now reassigned at Engine Company No. 6 in East Utica in command of Truck No. 3. John A. Hennaberger, a private at No. 3's is now the captain of Engine Company No. 1 in Park avenue. Henry Gill, another private in the rear rank at No. 2's is in command of Engine Company No. 8, in Eagle street. Charles Lent has retired from the service and William Koth is the driver of Apparatus C at Central.
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Post by Clipper on Sept 27, 2008 3:04:00 GMT -5
Thanks John. As a former professional firefighter and former IAFF president, I still have an interest in the history of firefighting. Your post mentions the two stations that I never knew existed, on Lafayette and Washington, and on John St (2's and 3's) both of which were folded into central when the Elizabeth St station was built.
I was president of the local at Griffiss for 8 years, and worked an ambulance in Utica as a part time job. I knew many of the Utica boys and even trained some of them when I was an EMT instructor. I took my original EMT course from Tony Skane (Capt. retired, and deceased in the last year or so) I then taught the course at BOCES and had many of the UFD men in refresher courses. All of us had taken our original courses from Tony at MVCC.
George Penree and myself attended courses at Cornell Labor College together one summer to learn to negotiate contracts, and to work arbitration cases. At that time, it was a statistic that management won 70% of all arbitrations. Well, after the excellent training, paid for by the Union, I carried our local to victory in the first 4 cases we took to arbitration. The Federal Government decided that they could no longer run rough shod over Local F-111 at Griffiss. (Federal locals had an F preceding the local number)
It is too bad that there is not a fire department history museum somewhere in the city. Utica's fire department has a long and interesting history, and I love the pictures of the old equipment that I have seen hanging in some of Utica's stations. I was fortunate to have known some the finest and to have gone to school with some. I went to school with Johnny Meyers ("Spider") who passed away a few years ago from cancer, and Donnie Merritt. I taught a refresher to Al Belmont, (deceased) and knew Pete Caruso from the union activity. I hope those retired are enjoying their retirement after all those years of placing their life on the line for the city they loved, and may those deceased brothers rest in peace.
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Post by WestmoGuy on Sept 27, 2008 6:58:35 GMT -5
you worked for Kunkel Clipper?
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Post by dgriffin on Sept 27, 2008 7:05:36 GMT -5
Jon, what is the date of the articles just posted? The name William Girvan appears, and he could be the father or grandfather of Charles (Chuck) Girvan, with whom my Dad served at No.2.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 7:46:38 GMT -5
The year was 1914 or 1915 when the article was composed and then 16 years before that is when the pictures were taken.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 8:37:28 GMT -5
Tony Skane what a remarkable man. I never put things together until his death. He used to be a life guard at Power Dam when my brother was a life guard there. Several times a day he would grace the crowd with one pf his Olympic style dives. I thought he had a terrific tan , not realizing he was an Egyptian.
In later days I would have coffee with him several times a week not realizing he was the same person from years previous.
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Post by Clipper on Sept 27, 2008 9:48:29 GMT -5
No westmoguy, I worked for Hinckley and Wurz, and rode the rescue unit at Griffiss. Hinckley and Wurz was where Kunkels garage and offices are now, on Catherine St. They were a half assed service and could not compare to Kunkel equipment wise. I quit there because of the level of their help and the level of care they considered acceptable. Having advanced to an instructor in the EMT program, my integrity was more important than the meager paycheck that ambulance work provided in those days. I worked the ambulance for experience to keep my skills up with field work, while receiving $15 an hour for teaching two nights a week at BOCES in Verona. I guess I worked there for about 2 years or more, as my first call was soon after I finished the course and I was still working there when I certified as a state instructor. I had completed teaching two courses as an assistant instructor to qualify to become a senior instructor.
Yes Jon, Tony WAS an amazing man. He dedicated his life to the fire department, the Red Cross and to the EMT program. His attention was always pointed to caring for, and protecting people.
I will never forget my first call on an ambulance after graduating from his class at MVCC, and becoming a certified EMT. It was a motorcycle accident at Deerfield Corners, and he arrived on scene on his way to the mall, and looked over my shoulder as I treated, stabilized, and packaged the victim for transport. When all was finished, and we were loading him into the ambulance, Captain Skane (already retired at the time) put his arm on my shoulder, and told me that I had done him proud. It meant the world to me to be critiqued in the field by such a great man and great EMT. It gave me a boost of confidence that I had learned well, and was capable of making the decisions in the field that would effect peoples lives and chances for recovery.
Yes, Tony was a great guy. I was saddened to see his obit in the OD. I hadn't seen him in years.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 9:54:51 GMT -5
William Farrell is the dean of the Utica firemen. His service in the department after the days of the old volunteer department has been marked by attention to duty. Mr. Farrell for years had one of the most difficult positions in the department, driver of the three house truck, long stationed at Truck House No. 2 in Cooper street near Cornelia a fire station abandoned at after completion of the Central Fire Station in Elizabeth street. Mr. Farrell remained in charge of No. 2 truck as driver until April 1 1908, when he was transferred to Engine Company No. 7, in West Utica. Mr. Farrell is at the left of the standing fireman carrying four service stripes on his coat sleeve. Gus Gates next to Mr. Farrell resigned from the Fire Department and was appointed to the Police Department. William J. Shaughnemy followed Mr. Gates's example and went to the Police Department. John Byrne lost his life in the Maennerchor Building in 1902. He was caught under a falling wall and when the firemen extricated him from the ruins life was extinct. John Donohue. R. C. Miller and J. F. Quinlin the other three men in the standing column are dead. Mr. Miller retired from the service before his death. George J. Kratzenberg, then captain of No. 3 Truck and E. J. Meyers deputy chief engineer, have retired on pensions. Deputy Chief Meyers had his headquarters at No. 2 Truck. George J. Vogt lieutenant at No. 2 Truck, has since been promoted and is captain of Truck A. Central Fire Station.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 17:13:24 GMT -5
Eight men manned Engine Company No. 1, 16 years ago. Frank Breitenberg one of the oldest men in the service of the Utica Fire Department is still attached to Engine Company No. 1. He is now in his thirty-ninth year of service. There are two other members of the company of that time still in the service. They are James Cleary of No. 5's and Henry Welch engineer at No. 1's Those in the upper row are Charles R. Williams, now engaged in the advertising business. William J. Shaughnemy who transferred his tenure from the Fire Department to the Police Department where he has made an effective officer. Robert Hasard, who became a lieutenant in the service and then reassigned to accept a position with the American La France Fire Engine Company of Elmira as a salesman. James E. Cleary, now at No. 8's house, and Mr. Hreitenberg. Capt. Chambere M. Adams, who was recently retired after a long and creditable service in the departments seated in the center. On his right is Charles B. Fraata who was promoted from the ranks to a captainey in the department, retiring a few years ago, while in command of Engine Company No. 7 in West Utica. Engineer Welch is on Captain Adam's left.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 27, 2008 18:07:33 GMT -5
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 28, 2008 15:48:36 GMT -5
I'm curious if anybody remembers a very large fire on Oneida and Marlboro Road. It was a large L shaped apartment building that was totally ripped down after the fire. The firewalls didn't go all the way through the roof so that the fire spread through the attics. The Codes Department was chastised for allowing the building to be built that way even though it passed their inspection. I'm sure a fireman or firemen were seriously hurt if not killed.
I've been searching for information but can't seem to find any mention anywhere at all. I seem to remember that the name of the building was something like South Winds Apartments. Or did I dream the whole thing up?
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 28, 2008 15:58:53 GMT -5
Well I found it. I was searching for South Winds instead of Southwinds.
I wasn't even close.
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Post by Clipper on Sept 28, 2008 16:41:16 GMT -5
A firefighter was dropped into the fire when the turntable bolts on a ladder failed and the whole areal ladder fell into the burning building. I don't remember his name, or if he was killed or just seriously burned, but it was a real tragic situation.
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