Trics Of The Trade: The Rescue/Pumper and the FDNY Squad Concept - Part 1

What exactly is a rescue/pumper? The answer to a question like that is dependent upon where you are in the good Ole' U. S. of A. As I have traveled about and talked to people in regards to rescue/pumpers, I have inevitably heard a great variety of answers. Some were good and some were great.

The squad concept was actually used during the first and second world wars in New York City. Around 1955, when New York City saw a massive increase in fires, they returned. With the advent of civil unrest, the demise of good neighborhoods and the insurance companies unwittingly making it profitable to lose a building to fire, it was a perfect combination to start burning down the city. Unscrupulous landlords would hire a petty street criminal-turned arsonist for a mere pittance to go and start a fire in a building. Once the building was no longer inhabitable, the landlord hit for the big bucks. But the landlords weren't the only ones taking advantage.

The tenants were doing pretty good themselves. When they caught on to the fact that they would get relocation monies and services, furniture and clothes all on the back of the city, it seemed like everyone was doing it. Hence, the services of the FDNY were pressed and they needed more manpower. One of the solutions was to create squad companies as a supplemental manpower pool. Going from fire to fire to work at the bequest of the chief in charge, these squads did what ever was needed at the scene. They worked until the fire was declared "under control" and were released to go to the next working fire.