Volunteer Firemen's Association of the City of New York

11/06/2025

Throw Back Thursday

The final quarters of Harry Howard Hose Co. 55 of the Manhattan volunteer era still stands today.

Organized on Sept 17th, 1853, they were originally located at 115 Christopher St until 1859. They would move to these final quarters at 52 Amos St (now 52 W10th St) until they disbanded on Nov. 10th, 1865 when the Metropolitan Fire Dept took over fire duty.

Their name sake derived from the second to last Chief Engineer of the then all volunteer New York Fire Department, Harry Howard. He was Chief from 1857-1860.

11/03/2025

Part 2 of our own Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department & Ambulance Corp. on Heroes Next Door is now available

Subscribe at: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1This week on Station Cribs, Mike visits the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department, ...

10/30/2025

Throw Back Thursday

A look at the night of Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the morning after from WPIX 11 NY news team showing both Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department & Ambulance Corp. as well as Point Breeze Fire Department in Queens.

Originally aired on Vimeo as a "Vimeo Staff Pick". This is the story of what a local news team has to go through to get their story on the air. In this case,...

10/29/2025

October 29th, 2012

13 years ago tonight, the largest storm to inundate the city of New York in our lifetime arrived and began wreaking havoc, destroying many of the communities our Volunteer Fire Companies serve as well as the homes of many of their members. In the Breezy Point section of Queens alone, our Volunteers were first due to one of the largest, if not the largest, residential fire in NYC history. Over 100 homes burned. The rising tide waters and dangerous winds in most cases heavily delayed or even prevented the FDNY from responding to the areas we serve. Our volunteers rose to the occasion, fighting back against wind and tide, to protect life and property to the best of their ability with the limited resources they have. Our association commends the vigilant members of NYC’s 9 Volunteer Fire Departments for the bravery and heroism displayed in this cataclysmic event proving why their very existence is still warranted in their neighborhoods, even in today’s day and age. Job well done.

10/23/2025

Throw Back Thursday

West Hamilton Beach Fire Dept. Engine 946 turning out of quarters for a run during Hurricane Irene in 2011.

10/19/2025

Congratulations to our own West Hamilton Beach Fire Dept. of Queens who celebrates their 97th year of service today. Although loosely organized as a bucket brigade in 1924, the department wasn’t officially organized until October 19th, 1928. A fatal fire in the neighborhood sparked the residents to organize their own fire department, similar to their neighboring towns at the time of East Hamilton Beach or Ramblersville, and the Vollies have been responding ever since.

10/16/2025

Throw Back Thursday

Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department of Brooklyn purchased this 1925 LaFrance/Brockway Torpedo Type 2 chemical engine new and ran it up until atleast the 1940s.

10/10/2025

On September 18th, 9 of our brother firefighters from Germany visited some of our volunteer firehouses once again. The last time they came in 2019 they visited Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department & Ambulance. This year they were given a ride courtesy Broad Channel’s Outlaw Engine Co. 2 up to Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department where they got a full tour of the firehouse as well as an off-road ride-along on the beach through their response area. Thanks again to Chief Ed Wilmarth of Broad Channel and Chief James Morton of Rockaway Point for coordinating the days events and showing outstanding courtesy to our brothers from overseas.

10/09/2025

Throw Back Thursday

Organized on Oct. 4th, 1838 was Empire Hook & Ladder Co. 3 of the Brooklyn VFD Western District. They were located at 898 Bedford Ave. The photo shows their house circa the 1940’s and the number “3” can still be seen over the left door. They disbanded on Sept. 15th, 1869 when the paid Brooklyn FD Ladder 2 moved into their quarters. Feb. 1892, BFD L2 moved into new quarters two doors down at 894 Bedford Ave. Jan. 28th, 1898 BFD L2 disbanded to organize FDNY Brooklyn Ladder 2. Oct. 1st, 1899 Ladder 2 was re-numbered Ladder 52. Jan. 1st, 1913 Ladder 52 was re-numbered Ladder 102. March 9th, 1966, Ladder 102 moved into new qtrs at 850 Bedford Ave with Eng. 209.

10/06/2025

Subscribe at: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1. In this week’s episode of Station Rigs, Mike travels to New York to visit the Broad...

10/06/2025

Jobtown