Microturbines are a relatively new technology used for stationary energy-generation applications. They are small-scale electricity generators that burn gaseous (natural and bio-gas) and liquid (gasoline, kerosene and diesel) fuels. Their electrical outputs, in general, range from 25-500 kW, while conventional gas turbine sizes range from 500 kW to 250 megawatts (MW). Low output microturbines are […]
The Pak-Tracker, one component of FDNY’s Fireground Accountability Program, can be used to locate a signal coming from any member’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), whose PASS device is in full alarm mode. The Pak-Tracker then will emit an audible alarm when the signal is received and display the identity (unit and assignment) of the member’s […]
In the early 1980s, the Department designated engine companies around the City as field communications satellite units. The purpose of these units was to augment the operations of the Field Communications Unit. Although the concept was a good one, it eventually failed because training was not maintained and the program was rendered ineffective. Since 2001, […]
Editor’s Note: Part I of this article by the same authors appeared in the 1st/2012 issue of WNYF. Part II focuses on FDNY techniques to force these windows. The type of window system used during construction plays a major role in how a structure will be affected by fire, explosions, hurricanes, tornadoes or any other […]
In the spring of 2012, FDNY decided to conduct experiments in cooperation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) at Governors Island. The planned tests would include 20 “live burns” of non-fireproof structures. Scientists, engineers and Firefighters were assigned to create significant structural and content fires. The engineers would […]
In the winter of 2006, the FDNY experienced two challenging, wind-impacted fires in high-rise fireproof multiple dwellings. On January 26th, a fire at 40-20 Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway, Queens, seriously injured and trapped several members. If not for the heroic actions of members on the fire floor, tragedy would have revisited the FDNY at […]
On October 29, 2012, hundreds of FDNY members responded during a night of fires and floods, leaving their own homes unguarded and putting others before themselves, as New York’s Bravest always do. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many FDNY members were left devastated or displaced, in need of a helping hand from their FDNY […]
Editor’s Note: A two-part article, this narrative addresses the 1994 fire at 62 Watts Street, focusing on building type, construction, weather and FDNY operations. Introduction On March 28, 1994, a residential fire occurred in a first-floor apartment at 62 Watts Street in the borough of Manhattan. The incident led to the deaths of Captain John […]
Microturbines are a relatively new technology used for stationary energy-generation applications. They are small-scale electricity generators that burn gaseous (natural and bio-gas) and liquid (gasoline, kerosene and diesel) fuels. Their electrical outputs, in general, range from 25-500 kW, while conventional gas turbine sizes range from 500 kW to 250 megawatts (MW). Low output microturbines are […]
The Pak-Tracker, one component of FDNY’s Fireground Accountability Program, can be used to locate a signal coming from any member’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), whose PASS device is in full alarm mode. The Pak-Tracker then will emit an audible alarm when the signal is received and display the identity (unit and assignment) of the member’s […]
In the early 1980s, the Department designated engine companies around the City as field communications satellite units. The purpose of these units was to augment the operations of the Field Communications Unit. Although the concept was a good one, it eventually failed because training was not maintained and the program was rendered ineffective. Since 2001, […]
Editor’s Note: Part I of this article by the same authors appeared in the 1st/2012 issue of WNYF. Part II focuses on FDNY techniques to force these windows. The type of window system used during construction plays a major role in how a structure will be affected by fire, explosions, hurricanes, tornadoes or any other […]
In the spring of 2012, FDNY decided to conduct experiments in cooperation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) at Governors Island. The planned tests would include 20 “live burns” of non-fireproof structures. Scientists, engineers and Firefighters were assigned to create significant structural and content fires. The engineers would […]
In the winter of 2006, the FDNY experienced two challenging, wind-impacted fires in high-rise fireproof multiple dwellings. On January 26th, a fire at 40-20 Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway, Queens, seriously injured and trapped several members. If not for the heroic actions of members on the fire floor, tragedy would have revisited the FDNY at […]
On October 29, 2012, hundreds of FDNY members responded during a night of fires and floods, leaving their own homes unguarded and putting others before themselves, as New York’s Bravest always do. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many FDNY members were left devastated or displaced, in need of a helping hand from their FDNY […]
Editor’s Note: A two-part article, this narrative addresses the 1994 fire at 62 Watts Street, focusing on building type, construction, weather and FDNY operations. Introduction On March 28, 1994, a residential fire occurred in a first-floor apartment at 62 Watts Street in the borough of Manhattan. The incident led to the deaths of Captain John […]
