Yonkers Fire Department

Early Years

Firefighting in Yonkers first originated in 1852, when the first fire company in Yonkers, Protection Engine Co. 1, was formed. The following year, in 1853, the Hope Hook & Ladder Co. 1 was formed, as well as the Lady Washington Engine Co. 2. As of 1855, all fire companies in Yonkers are privately owned and not under the jurisdiction of the village authorities. Thus, the village appropriated funds to purchase the fire apparatus from the private citizens who owned the fire companies. As a result, from 1868 until the late 1890s, 14 additional fire companies were formed including The City of Yonkers Fire Department, established in 1896. By 1888, the volunteer fire companies in Yonkers had grown to 386 firemen. In 1895, fire commissioners were authorized by the Yonkers Common Council after the city charter was revised.^[3].

On August 6, 1896, the Fire Commissioner's Board decided to appoint 6 paid firemen to the Palisade Avenue Firehouse. The first 3 paid firemen were appointed to the Hope Hook & Ladder Co. 1, while the second 3 men were appointed to the Lady Washington Engine Co. 2, both quartered in the same firehouse. This became the origins of the paid Yonkers Fire Department.

Twenty-one days later, James J. Mulcahey was elected the first paid Chief of Department. Additionally, with the new paid fire department in place, the YFD Telegraph Bureau was established in the Palisade Avenue Firehouse. A large number of fire alarm signal boxes were placed in various locations throughout Yonkers. 38 Fire Alarm Boxes and 40 miles of telegraph wire made up the system. On September 1, 1896, the first roll call of the Yonkers Fire Department was called. In October 1897, 5 paid firemen were added to the firehouse on Vineyard Avenue (Station 2).^[4]

1900s

YFD Station 6, the quarters of Engine 306, established in 1902, located on Oak Street.

In 1900, the YFD responded to their first mutual aid fire to the Village of Bronxville. In June of that year, funds were acquired to convert 2 volunteer firehouses and an old police department horse stable into paid firehouses, and plans for a new firehouse on Oak Street were drawn up. On May 1, 1901, 2 new firehouses on Radford Street (Station 4) and Shonnard Place (Station 5) that had been built earlier that year were occupied by Engine Co. 4 and Engine Co. 5. On September 16 of that year, Engine Co. 3 was placed into service at Station 3 on Riverdale Avenue. In August 4, 1902, twenty new firemen were appointed to form Engine Co. 6 at Station 6 on Oak Street and to form Engine Co. 7 at Station 7 at 456 Central Park Avenue. In 1907, Engine Co. 8 was established at Station 8 located at 268 Woodworth Avenue and Truck Co. 3 was placed into service at Station 5 Firehouse located at 53 Shonnard Place, the quarters of Engine Co. 5. On December 22, 1909, Engine Co. 9 was placed into service at Station 9 on Swain Street (Pondfield Road West) with 3 additional firemen. That same year, the Yonkers Fire Department first tested a motorized fire engine.

In May 1910, two motorized hose wagons were placed into service at Engine Co. 6 and Engine Co. 8. On November 5 of that year, Engine Co. 10 was placed into service at Station 10 Saw Mill River Road with Engine Co. 8's former apparatus. The first motorized pumping engine arrived in 1911 and was placed into service at Engine Co. 5. In 1912, a two shift/platoon system was enacted so firemen could work shorter hours. In 1913, the Telegraph Bureau was moved to City Hall. The system was now made up of over 150 Fire Alarm Boxes and over 100 miles of telegraph wire. The Fire Chief's office was also moved to City Hall. That same year, the YFD's first motorized ladder truck arrived from the American LaFrance company. The Chief of Department and 2 Assistant Chiefs were also given automobiles. By the end of 1913, 8 pieces of fire apparatus were motorized. In 1914, Truck Co. 4 was placed into service at the Station 4 Radford Street Firehouse. By May 22, 1916, the entire Yonkers Fire Department was motorized, marking the end of the horse-drawn fire apparatus era. At the end of 1916, the YFD had over 126 firemen.^[5]

1920s thru the 1930s

In 1921, Station 11 was constructed at 433 Bronxville Road with Engine Company 11 placed into service and quartered there along with Truck Company 3 that was moved from Station 5 (53 Shonnard Place) to Station 11. By August 1921, the YFD had grown to 10 Engine Companies and 4 Truck Companies, along with many new fire stations that had been built to replace older ones. In 1927, construction was completed on the New Fire Headquarters/Station 1 at 5-7 New School Street, to which Truck Company 1 and Engine Company 1 would be quartered there. This new 4 Bay and 4 Storied Structure, would replace the old Palisades Avenue Fire Headquarters, that was to be used as not only as Fire Station 1, but as well as for Training and Administrative Operations. On March 30, 1930, Rescue Co. 1 was formed at Fire Headquarters/Station 1. Engine Co. 12 was placed into service in June of that year at Station 12 at 75 Fortfield Avenue. In 1931, a new Station 7 was constructed for the quarters of Engine Co. 7, at 441 Central Park Avenue. On January 5, 1932, Truck Co. 5 was placed into service and quartered at the new Station 7. In 1933, Engine Co. 8 moved to a new Station 8 firehouse at 539 Warburton Avenue. On June 25, 1939, a new pension plan for firefighters, controlled and administered by the State of New York, replaced the City of Yonkers Pension Plan.

1940s thru the 1950s

With the start of World War II, an auxiliary force of civilian firefighters was trained by the Fire Department in firefighting procedures in case of an enemy attack. The auxiliary firemen numbered about five hundred. These men were assigned to firehouses near their homes and in the event they were needed they were to report to the firehouse. They were disbanded when the war ended. During the war, several companies were removed form active service. Engine Co. 5 at the then Station 5 at 53 Shonnard Place was put out of commission on February 1, 1942 (It was never returned to service), with Station 9 on Swain Street closed and Engine 9 moved to 53 Shonnard Place and thus Station 5 was 'renamed' Station 9. Also, Rescue Co. 1 and Truck Co. 5 were removed from service on February 1, 1942. Both were returned to service on April 19, 1943, but Truck Co. 5 was again placed out of service again until February 17, 1946. In August 1946, when the Yonkers Fire Department was 50 years old and consisted of 17 paid fire companies. Also in the 1940s two-way radios were put in place in the Assistant Chief's Cars and the apparatus of Rescue Co. 1.

In January 1956, the YFD was divided into 2 divisions: the East Division and the West Division. Each were commanded by an Assistant Chief and oversaw a group of 5-6 firehouses each. A new firehouse (Station 13) was built in 1956 at 340 Kimball Avenue, and on March 27 of that year, Truck Co. 6 was placed into service there. On August 13, 1956, Engine Co. 13 was also placed into service at Station 13 on Kimball Avenue. On December 1, 1958, another new firehouse (Station 14) was built at 2187 Central Park Avenue, and Engine Co. 14 was established and placed into service there. On September 29, 1959, the Telegraph/Fire Dispatch Bureau was relocated to Station 12, the quarters of Engine Co. 12.

1960s thru the 1970s

On March 13, 1961, Truck Co. 5 was moved from Station 7, the quarters of Engine Co. 7, to Station 12, the quarters of Engine Co. 12, on Fortfield Avenue. On September 1, 1961, the department acquired its own radio system. Also in 1961, YFD took delivery of their first heavy duty Rescue Apparatus running as Rescue Company 1 out of Fire Headquarters-Station 1. It was a 1961 Mack B/Gerstenslager Walk-In Heavy Duty Rescue Apparatus. On December 21, 1967, Truck Co. 7 was organized and placed into service at Station 14, the quarters of Engine Co. 14. On July 31, 1970, the YFD acquired the Bureau of Combustibles. In 1971, the YFD turned 75 and consisted of 13 Engine Companies, 7 Truck Companies, 1 Rescue Company, and a force of 405 uniformed firemen.^[6]

Below were the Fire Station/Company Assignments on January 1, 1971:

In 1971, all Engine Companies (1 - 1971 American LaFrance Pumper [Engine 2]; 1 - 1968 Mack C Pumper [Engine 4]; 1 - 1967 Mack C Pumper [Engine 1]; 2 - 1961 Ward LaFrance/Fire Brand Pumpers [Engine 7 and 8]; 4 - 1958 American LaFrance Pumpers [Engine 3, 10, 12, and 14]; and 4 - 1956 Ward LaFrance Pumpers [Engine 6, 9, 11, and 13]) had 1000 gpm. pumps and all Truck Companies (1 - 1967 Aerial Ladder [Truck Co. 1] and 6 -1958 American LaFrance Mid Mount Aerial Ladders [Truck Co's 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7]) had 100' aerial ladder devices. The Fire Alarm system consisted of 875 Fire Alarm Boxes and 40 miles of underground cable and over 130 miles of above-ground wire. In January 1971, Station 3 at 81 Riverdale Avenue was closed, as part of the Riverdale Avenue Arterial Construction Project. Engine Co. 3 was temporarily moved to and quartered in Station 1/Fire Headquarters until the New Station Station 3 Firehouse on Vark Street was opened on August 17, 1971. On March 16, 1972, Truck Co. 2 was moved from Station 2 on Vineyard Avenue to Station 9 on Shonnard Place. At the beginning of 1973, the YFD fought for the inclusion of an officer on each piece of fire apparatus. In 1974, the Yonkers Fire Department took delivery of its very first Tower Ladder Platform Truck (Tower Ladder 1) replacing Truck 1 at Fire Headquarters/Station 1. It was a 1974 Mack Baker 75' Tower Ladder. It was also the very first 'Lime Green' piece of front line fire apparatus in the City of Yonkers. On December 23, 1974, the first "handi-talkie" two-way radios were distributed. A year later, in 1975, the Fire Investigation Unit was established. On March 10, 1975, each Truck Company's number designation was changed to match the number of the Engine Company it was quartered with. Thus, Truck Co.'s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 became Truck Co.'s 1, 9, 11, 4, 12, 13, and 14. On April 16, 1975 two Assistant Chiefs were detailed as "Executive Assistant Chiefs." One was responsible for Fire Suppression and the other for Staff Operations. This detail was made permanent in September of that year. A third Executive Assistant Chief was added in 1976 and made responsible for Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Safety and Training. The following year the title "Executive Assistant Chief" was changed to "Deputy Chief". On April 30, 1975, to mark the end of the Vietnam War, each piece of Yonkers Fire Department Apparatus, was brought out onto their respective outside aprons and ran their lights and sirens for 1 minute.

Due to a financial crisis within the City of Yonkers, on January 1, 1976, Engine Co. 1, Truck Co. 11 (formally Truck Co. 3), and Rescue Co. 1 were de-commissioned from service. Engine Co. 1 (which was quartered at YFD Headquarters/Station 1) and Truck Co. 11 (which was quartered at YFD Station 11) were never returned to front line service. Rescue Co. 1 remained de-commissioned from front line service for 24 years until March 6, 2000 when it was re-commissioned. On November 23 of that year, the YFD adopted the 10-Code system, similar to the one used by the New York City Fire Department, for radio communications. Each radio code had a different meaning and/or function.

On March 10, 1978, the fire apparatus numbering was changed to conform with the numbering system of Westchester County, New York. In order to eliminate confusion during mutual aid, all fire apparatus in Westchester County were given different numbers. YFD Engine Companies received numbers in the 300's and YFD Truck Companies received numbers in the 70's. It was at that time, that Truck Companies were now known as "Ladder" Companies. Thus Engine Company 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14 became Engine 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, & 314 respectfully and Truck Company 1, 9, 4, 12, 13, & 14 became Ladder Company 71, 72, 74, 75, 73, & 70 respectfully.

On October 19, 1979, under the new apparatus numbering, Engine Co. 305 was commissioned and placed into service at Station 2 on Vineyard Avenue, while Ladder Co. 76 was commissioned and placed into service at Station 11 on Bronxville Road, the quarters of Engine Co. 311 (formerly Engine Co. 11).

1980s

In 1980, a new Station 8 located at 571 Warburton Avenue was opened, replacing the old carriage house Station 8, located at 607 Warburton Avenue. On July 17, 1980, all Fire Alarm Boxes were removed from street corners, as the city deemed it too costly to repair the system. On August 18, 1980, Ladder Co. 76 was moved from Station 11 to Station 3 on 96 Vark Street. On September 15, 1980, Station 2 (quarters of Engine Co. 302 and Engine Co. 305) on Vineyard Avenue was permanently closed due to structural issues. Because of this, Engine Co. 302 was relocated to Station 9 on Shonnard Place and Engine Co. 305 was relocated to Station 1-Fire Headquarters on New School Street. In December 1980, the title of Chief of Department was replaced with the position of "Fire Commissioner".^[7]

On April 16, 1981 Yonkers Fire Department Union local 628 employees (approximately 410 firefighters and officers) walked off the job due to a contract dispute. The strike lasted 2 days.^[8]

On April 19, 1982, due to another financial crisis within the City of Yonkers, Engine Co.'s 302, 305, and 311, as well as Ladder Co. 76 were all de-commissioned and removed from front line service (Engine 305 and Ladder 76 would never be returned to front line service). Due to these changes, Ladder Co. 70 was moved from Station 14 to Station 11 to provide coverage in the Cedar Knolls section of the city. Also, the Battalion Chief's Aides were cut.

In June 1983, Engine Co. 302 and Engine Co. 311 were re-commissioned, with Engine 302 quartered at Station 1/Fire Headquarters. However one month later both companies (Engine 302 and Engine 311) were de-commissioned once again (Engine 302 would never to return to front line service). Also in 1983 the Communications Office (Telegraph Bureau) was moved from Station 12 to 10 St. Casimir Avenue.

In 1984, Engine Co. 311 was once again re-commissioned and reactivated at Station 11 and the Battalion Aides were assigned once again to each Battalion Chief. In addition, Ladder Co. 70 was moved from Station 11, back to the Station 14, the quarters of Engine Co. 314.

1990s

In 1990, the Department recognized the need to begin to develop a special unit to cope with the rise in Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) incidents as well as to comply with the new OSHA regulations, which specifically detailed the training requirements for personnel handling Hazardous Materials. Initially all line officers and firefighters were trained to the Haz-Mat. Operations level, while a team of 6 officers were further trained to the Technician level. These 6 officers provided 24/7 coverage on more serious Hazardous Materials incidents while maintaining positions in Engine or Ladder companies. Subsequently, the department felt that it needed to create, as part of its overall structure, the YFD Special Operations Division. This new division of the Yonkers Fire Department would house the majority of and maintain all YFD Special Operations Apparatus and Equipment that would supplement all First Line Companies. YFD Special Operations Apparatus are activated at Major Incidents such as WMD or Hazardous Materials Incidents, or for a trench or building collapse. The YFD Collapse Unit, part of the YFD Special Operations Division, would be quartered at YFD Station 11 on Bronxville Road, with the crew of Engine 311 used to staff the unit should it be needed. The YFD Special Operations division also oversees all Reserve Apparatus, making sure that they are fully equipped and ready to be placed into service whenever they are needed. The YFD Special Operations Division was established and originally located within a 'City Owned Building' at a vacant facility up at the original Ridge Hill Property, between the New York State Thruway and the Sprain Brook Parkway, where they were able to conduct all specialized training needed for their operation.

Also in 1990, the City of Yonkers outfitted all firefighters with new OSHA-approved Bunker Pants and Coats. In 1991, the Safety Division was instituted and manned with a full-time Incident Safety Officer (ISO). The Safety Officer responds to all structure fires and supports the health and safety needs of the firefighters. The position is now known as the "Safety Battalion".

Beginning in 1991, all probationary firefighters were trained as Certified First Responders. Many senior Department members also opted at that time to receive medical training and became New York State Certified First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. Firefighters have performed a variety of emergency medical tasks, from delivering babies to administering CPR. Also in 1992, the communication office of Fire, Police and EMS is moved to the Cacace Justice Center and an Enhanced 911 emergency response system is instituted.

On June 18, 1992, a Hazardous Materials Unit, designated as Squad Co. 1, is commissioned and located at Fire Headquarters (Station 1). The unit was staffed 24/7 by an officer and 1 firefighter. The unit also was used as a quasi-rescue company assisting Ladder Companies at all working fires. During 1993, all members assigned to the unit received extra training and were certified by New York State to the Hazardous Materials Specialist level. Support companies were designated to assist the Squad when more than two persons were needed to handle the incident. In 1995, a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is installed in the communications center.

In 1996, the Yonkers Fire Department celebrated its 100 Anniversary. The designations of the Assistant Chiefs of the East and West Divisions, formerly known as Division Chief 1 and Division Chief 2, were changed to Battalion Chief's 1 and 2, with the East and West Division becoming Battalion's 1 and 2. Additionally, civilian employees were hired to replace the firefighters in the Dispatch Office. Also, the Fire Department Repair Shop, formerly located at Station 7, the quarters of Engine Co. 307, was moved to the DPW Repair Shop located at 1130 Nepperhan Avenue.^[9]

2000 to 2009

On March 6, 2000, Squad Co. 1 was de-commissioned in order to be able to re-organize as Rescue Co. 1 at Fire Headquarters (Station 1). Thus, Rescue 1 was back in service, as a front line company, 24 years from when it was decommissioned back on January 1, 1976.

In 2004, Engine Co. 311 was deactivated from service at Station 11 and Squad Co. 11 was subsequently commissioned and placed into service at Station 11 (along with the YFD Collapse Unit). Squad Co. 11 operates as an engine company for its first due area (Cedar Knolls) as well as, when called upon, to go to most 2nd Alarm fires, in other areas of the City of Yonkers, to which they are not part of the first alarm assignment. In addition, they are responsible to man the Collapse Unit, when it is called upon. Finally, Squad Co. 11 responses in place of Rescue Co. 1, should Rescue Co. 1 not be available, as well as for support to Rescue Co. 1 for all Haz-Mat and USAR assignments.

In 2007, in conjunction with the City of Yonkers selling the Ridge Hill Property for commercial development, the Yonkers Fire Department - Special Operations Division was moved from their Ridge Hill Facility/Operation to their current location at 460 Nepperhan Avenue.

2010 to present

The former department headquarters, 2017

On June 28, 2010, due to another financial crisis in the City of Yonkers, the Safety Battalion was removed from service. Now, for all 10-30 Alarms called in, the next available Battalion Chief (either Battalion 1 or Battalion 2) would respond to the scene, becoming the Safety Battalion at the incident.

In 2012, the 3rd and 4th Floors of the Yonkers Fire Headquarters/Station 1 on 5-7 School Street were deemed unsafe and thus both the Executive Offices of the Yonkers Fire Department and the Offices of Local 628 Yonkers Firefighters Union, that had been located on the 3rd and 4th floors, were moved to a new facility on 470 Nepperhan Avenue.

On June 5, 2015, the Building Department of the City of Yonkers determined that the entire Station 1 (Former Yonkers Fire Headquarters) was unsafe and thus condemned Station 1 on 5-7 School Street. Subsequently, Tower Ladder Company 71 was moved to the quarters of Station 3 on 96 Vark Street. Rescue Company 1 was subsequently moved to the quarters of Station 8 on 571 Warburton Avenue, and the Mask Service Unit # 1 was moved to the quarters of Station 9 at 53 Shonnard Place.

On July 30, 2015, Rescue Company 1 was moved from Station 8 on 571 Warburton Avenue to Station 7 on 441 Central Park Avenue and Spare Ladder 76 was moved from Station 7 to Station 8.

In July 2017, the City of Yonkers agreed on plans to build a New, 4 Bay, Station 1 on the Corner of New School Street, Palisades Avenue and Elm Street. Construction is anticipated to be completed in October 2019.

Currently, the Yonkers Fire Department operates out of 11 Fire Stations, with 10 Engine Companies, 6 Ladder Companies, 1 Squad Company, and 1 Rescue Company.

Operations Division

The Operations Division provides firefighting and emergency medical services. It consists of two firefighting battalions, the Marine Unit(Fire Boat),Fire Repair Shop, Fire Communications, and the Special Operations Unit.

The current Deputy Chief of Operations is Kevin Ford

The Fire and Emergency Response services staff consists of a deputy chief, 13 battalion chiefs, 31 captains, 75 lieutenants, 314 firefighters, and one civilian employee. The Fire Communications Office's staff consists of a lieutenant and one firefighter.

Personnel Division

The Deputy Chief of Personnel is responsible for Personnel, Training, Labor/Management Relations, Planning and Development and Manpower. The current Deputy Chief of Personnel is Thomas Fitzpatrick.

Currently in the Personnel Division, there are four subdivisions, each with its own staff. The Administrative Office's staff consists of a fire commissioner/chief of department, a deputy chief, a Captain, and seven civilian employees.

Fire Prevention Division

The Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention is responsible for managing the Fire Prevention Division, the Fire Investigation Unit and Fire Safety Education. This includes overseeing the inspection of existing buildings and those under construction or renovation, processing all complaints or inquires and enforcement of New York State Fire and Building Codes, investigation of the cause and origin of all fires of consequence, and Fire Safety Education programs for the citizens of the city. The current Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention is Joseph DeLasho

The Fire Prevention, Education, and Safety Education Unit staff consists of a deputy chief, a captain, two lieutenants, seven firefighters, and a civilian employee.^[11][12]

Current Stations and Apparatus

Below is a complete listing of all YFD fire station locations and fire companies, by battalion, in the city of Yonkers. ( * Tower Ladder Company 71 is temporarily quartered at Station 3, Rescue Company 1 is temporarily quartered at Station 7, and the Mask Service Unit (Air Cascade) 1 is temporarily quartered at Station 9) ^[13][14] Each piece of frontline apparatus is staffed with a minimum of 4 Firefighters, including a Driver and an Officer.