Throwback FDNY

Throwback FDNY to the 1920s!

Throwback FDNY to 1913, when radio communications were first attempted by the FDNY, to 1956, when a devastating fire and explosion rocked the Luckenbach steamship pier in Brooklyn, and to 1964, when the first Tower Ladder apparatus went into service in New York City.

Throwback FDNY to 1897, when a monument is unveiled at Gettysburg Battlefield honoring veterans of the New York Fire Zouaves, to 1952, when a member of the FDNY suggests that a Helicopter Company be formed in the Department, and to 1963, when a firehouse gets caught in the middle of a long-standing feud.

Throwback FDNY to 1898, when John Jay Scannell becomes the Commissioner of the Fire Department of the Greater City of New York, to 1922, when fire sweeps through the shore-side Arverne neighborhood in Queens, and to 1937, when the Memorial Wall in Headquarters is unveiled.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 1940’s including, In 1940, the FDNY’s landmark training publication, WNYF, debuts. In 1946, the short-lived Chief of Staff and Operations post is introduced. And, in 1947, the massive Grace Land Pier Fire occurs.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 1860’s including, in 1865, when Elisha Kingsland becomes the first Chief Engineer of the new Department. Also in 1865, the Maltese cross is introduced as the symbol of the FDNY. And finally, in 1867, a military structure is introduced to the Department by General Alexander Shaler.

Throwback FDNY to 1856 when the tallest building in the country is destroyed by fire, to 1920, when the FDNY Honor Emergency Fund was founded, and to 1939, when a new apparatus was introduced at Laguardia Airport. 

Throwback FDNY to 1882 when Miss Ida Small is saved in a dramatic rescue, to the 1958 launch of the first fireboat named for a woman, and to 1980, when Christine Godek becomes the first female Deputy Commissioner of the FDNY. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… In 1863, the Colored Orphan’s Asylum is burned during the Civil War Riots in New York. Beginning in 1898, African-Americans blaze new trails in the Department. And, in 1966, Augustus Beekman becomes the first Black firefighter to attain the rank of Assistant Chief. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… in 1898, the Greater City of New York is consolidated. In 1907, the FDNY Marine Division is formed. And in 1938, Doctor Ernest Stillman is sworn in as an honorary Medical Officer. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY…in 1870, the FDNY unveils its Museum. In 1910, Rhinelander Waldo becomes Fire Commissioner. And in 1911, a devastating fire destroys Dreamland Park in Coney Island.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… in1868 a fire engine explodes at a fire on the Bowery. In 1883, the School of Instruction is opened. And in 1991, William Feehan becomes, “The Chief.”

In this episode of Throwback FDNY…in 1924, the FDNY is presented with its official flag. In 1927, a spectacular fire at the Sherry Netherland Hotel lights up the night sky. And in 1942, Sidney Klein becomes a New York City firefighter.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… In 1922, the Department gets its first official photographer. In 1939, the Fire Bell Club of New York is organized. And in 1975, a bomb explodes next to the historic Fraunces Tavern. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 19-teen’s including, in 1911 when John Kenlon was appointed Chief of Department, in 1914 when the Department got its first ambulance for humans, and in 1919 when the Department’s band was formed. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 1970’s including, in 1972 when the Model Cities Program, in 1975 when the FDNY begins its first Emergency Medical Technician Program, and in 1978 as Augustus Beekman is appointed Fire Commissioner. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… In 2023, some of the New York City Fire Museum's biggest supporters gathered at the 3rd annual golf outing and fundraiser at the Muttontown Club in East Norwich, N.Y., to aid the Museum's mission to preserve, celebrate, and educate. The event honored FDNY Chief of Department John J. Hodgens and Matt Duthie, the Senior Vice President of Newmark Property Management. The Museum thanked Platinum Sponsor Silverstein Properties.    

In this episode of Throwback FDNY, host Gary Urbanowicz welcomes back to the show retired FDNY Division Chief and EMS historian James Martin as his co-host to discuss the introduction of the pulmotor resuscitators in 1914, and how resuscitation equipment and techniques have changed over the years. This conversation helps us mark 2023 National EMS Week, which honors the heroic contributions of those who work on the medical front line. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… In 1798, the Fire Department of the City of New York is formed by an act of the State legislature. In 1857, Harry Howard is named Chief Engineer of the fire department. And in 1964 a fire strikes in the subway tunnel of the Times Square shuttle. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY... In 1899, a deadly fire at the Windsor Hotel disrupts the St. Patrick’s Day parade; In 1902, the first female ambulance surgeon takes the reins; And in 2003, for the first time, a woman is promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief in the FDNY.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY…in 1741 a series of fires raise panic in the small colony of New York. In 1863, the Colored Orphan’s Asylum is burned during the Civil War Riots in New York. And an 1885 book tells us about some Black members of the FDNY.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY...in 1865, the Maltese cross is introduced as a symbol of the fire department. In 1948, Peter Loftus is appointed Chief of Department. And in 1967, a gas leak causes a 13-alarm fire in Queens.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… a fire in 1835 destroys nearly 700 buildings in New York City. In 1873, the FDNY organizes what might be their most unusual unit. And, in 1938, Clarence Eldridge Meek is sworn in as an Honorary Captain and Librarian of the FDNY.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… an incident in 1861 leads to the first Medal of Honor being awarded; and it has an FDNY connection. In 1867, Doctor Charles McMillan is appointed to be the first official Department Medial Officer. And, in 1942, the FDNY Military Services Division is established.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we being in 1913 when the Firemen’s Monument is unveiled; then in 1879, a new apparatus is introduced into the FDNY to combat fires in the city’s skyward-reaching buildings; and in 1954, a notable fire prevention advocate is named Commissioner of the FDNY. 

In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we begin in 1945, as a military bomber hits the Empire State Building; then in 1970 a terrorist group launches a campaign of arson in New York City; and in 1992, Mychal Judge is appointed as an FDNY Chaplain.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY…in 1913, the New York Fire Department Band is formed. In 1940, Patrick Walsh is appointed Chief of Department. And in 1978, a fire in a Brooklyn supermarket claims the lives of six of New York’s Bravest.

Throwback FDNY to 1867, the New York Fire Patrol is named. In 1938, former Manhattan-based volunteer firefighter Alexander Cartwright, Jr. is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And in 1958, a fire on Wooster Street in Manhattan, claims the lives of two firefighters and four fire patrolmen.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY… in 1868, Minthorne Tompkins is the first member of the FDNY to receive a medal for valor; then 1889 Hugh Bonner is made Chief of Department and a medal is named in his honor; and a fire in 1975 causes over 260 firefighters to call in sick the next day!

In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we begin with the Department's venture into the domain of pre-hospital emergency medical care in 1914; then in 1966, “Breadbox” ambulances are introduced in New York City; and in 1974, the city graduates its first class of paramedics.

In this episode of Throwback FDNY... we venture back to the days of the Brooklyn Fire Department, starting in 1785 with Brooklyn getting its first fire engine; then a devastating fire ravages one of the Department’s districts in 1848, and finally, the appointment of Thomas Nevins as Chief of the Brooklyn Fire Department in 1870.