People have always been fascinated with fires, firemen, firetrucks and firefighting. So a large number of trucks and firemen in the city always attracts a large crowd of onlookers. And, owing to its pedestrian environment, residents of the city come into much closer proximity to firefighters on a regular basis. As you can see from the photo, citizens are intermingled with the firefighters themselves who go about their business quite unfettered. This call did not appear too serious - in a real serious situation, the area would be cordoned off, of course. However, in spite of the close familiarity, being in close proximity to a group of firemen with their regalia - heavy bunker gear, boots, helmets, axes, pike poles, radios etc. is still quite intimidating. The Fire Department of New York is the largest in the country and has been in operation since 1648. For a history - click here for the official FDNY website. Many of their firehouses are quite spectacular - click here and here for two previous posts I have done. Their motto, New York's Bravest, has always applied; September 11 has just brought their efforts more in focus ...
Monday, March 12, 2007
FDNY
People have always been fascinated with fires, firemen, firetrucks and firefighting. So a large number of trucks and firemen in the city always attracts a large crowd of onlookers. And, owing to its pedestrian environment, residents of the city come into much closer proximity to firefighters on a regular basis. As you can see from the photo, citizens are intermingled with the firefighters themselves who go about their business quite unfettered. This call did not appear too serious - in a real serious situation, the area would be cordoned off, of course. However, in spite of the close familiarity, being in close proximity to a group of firemen with their regalia - heavy bunker gear, boots, helmets, axes, pike poles, radios etc. is still quite intimidating. The Fire Department of New York is the largest in the country and has been in operation since 1648. For a history - click here for the official FDNY website. Many of their firehouses are quite spectacular - click here and here for two previous posts I have done. Their motto, New York's Bravest, has always applied; September 11 has just brought their efforts more in focus ...
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6 comments:
It seems to be every little boy's dream--to be a fireman. This photo tells a great story. So glad that they're there when needed!
yeah- i definitely run into firefighters a lot more often here than elsewhere, particularly in Manhattan...here was my last big run-in:
http://velvet-sea.blogspot.com/2006/11/fdny-responds.html
Best wishes and safety to these brave men!
Kate - Yes, my parents were very worried because I wanted to be a fireman. They had aspirations for me to go to college, which I did.
Brian
Brave men indeed. They look totally pro in that gear.
Last time I was in NYC I was in a deli picking up a sandwich and saw a couple firemen getting their lunches. I had not been to NYC since 911, and the sight of them in the work uniforms sorta unnerved me, made me pause and lose my breath. Those uniforms and the guys that wear them are embedded in my mind because of that fateful day.
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