By Mike Ciampo
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) has a deep heritage of pride and traditions. Firehouses throughout the city are decorated by the members with plaques, stained glass, large paintings or murals, and company logos that are made of wood, metal, or a resin. These logos were often put on fire apparatus by the units themselves. In a way to honor their dedication to service and duty, the department allows the companies to submit their unit’s patch or logo to be put on fire apparatus. The area on the upper portion of the crew cab, between the front and rear doors carries these emblems. In this manner, there is a standard size and uniformity to the process. Not only does this look very professional, it also allows units to have their own uniqueness and to display their logos. Some units have also added tributes to the fallen firefighters of their houses to honor their selfless service, while others have adorned their rigs with emblems, stickers or stripes to describe their alarm district. Throughout the city, you’ll run into unique designs and logos, created and displayed by the membership with pride and honor.
Photo Series 1
The Bronx Bombers Engine Company 68—The Highbridge Section of The Bronx
Engine Company 68 and Ladder Company 49, “The House on the Hill,” are first due to Yankee Stadium. They have a history of pinstriping their rigs in the design of the New York Yankees’ uniforms. These additions to the rig are done by the members themselves with some added details.
Photo Series 2- Ladder Company 129—Flushing Queens
Across the river and in the Downtown section of Flushing Queens, Engine Company 273 and Ladder Company 129 are first due to CitiField and represent the New York Mets. These units are a few subway stops away from their cross-town rivals and have a similar response area. The companies respond to large multiple dwellings, private dwellings, commercial properties, and busy shopping areas with some high-rise residential mixed in.
Photo Series 3- The FDNY Ceremonial Unit—City Wide
A heavily relied on unit of the FDNY is the Ceremonial Unit. Unfortunately after the tragic events of 9-11, this unit was called upon to organize and conduct wakes and funeral services for the fallen firefighters and EMTs of the FDNY. To this day, they are still doing these events for line-of-duty deaths, retired firefighters, and active members of the department. The unit maintains a few apparatus that help them carry supplies such as flags, banners, podiums, pop-up tents, cases of water, coolers, tables, and chairs. The unit also sets up and runs many department events like promotional ceremonies, plaque dedications, parades, medal day and memorial day, to name a few. Their professionalism and dedication to details assist the department to honor its fallen and praise members upon their promotions.
Photo Series 4- Engine Company 93, Ladder Company 45 & Battalion 13—Washington Heights, NY
Across the city, many firehouses have adopted the nickname “The Big House” because of the number of units responding from the locations. In the Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan, Engine Company 93, Ladder Company 45, and the 13th Battalion Chief respond out of a three bay firehouse that is 110 years old. Formerly, Rescue Company 3 was also located here, but was moved across the Harlem River into The Bronx. However, the firehouse still maintains the same nickname to honor the legacy of years past. The firehouse was renovated over 20 years ago and the members have used their own personal funds to instill their company pride into it. In recent years, one of the members of the house painted the company logos on the front apparatus bay doors. It’s a common thing across the city to find firehouse doors painted with logos and murals, displaying pride, tradition and honoring the fallen.
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 37-year veteran of the fire service and a Lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is the lead instructor for FDIC International Truck Essentials HOT program. He wrote the Ladders and Ventilation chapters for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter 1 & 2 and the Bread and Butter Portable Ladders DVD. He is featured in Training Minutes truck company videos on FireEngineering.com. Recently he wrote the textbook Tower Ladders, Tactics, Tips & Tales.
