Knights of New York (eBook)

Prologue

From the dawn of time, volcanoes and lighting created a force that would change the world. Humanity would name this force “fire” and learn to control this phenomenon. The first homo sapiens used the power of fire to warm the human body and cook the food necessary for survival. The pits used to harness the power of fire became social gathering locations. Eventually, the power of fire promoted communal living. As the years passed, individuals joined tribes; tribes developed into villages; villages became colonies; and colonies grew into cities. The use of fire proved to be a powerful force for good.

Darwin would eventually proclaim its discovery as one of humanity’s most outstanding achievements. However, left unchecked, it also proved to be a menace to society, destroying everything in its path. Due to human carelessness, or maliciousness, small fires could become conflagrations. As societies learned how to use the power of fire, they also learned how to protect themselves against its destructive force.

Marcus Licinius Crassus was a military commander in the Roman Army. He also was an entrepreneur, always in search of coin or wealth. He recognized that fire protection was not an essential service provided by the Roman Empire. He took advantage of this issue and created the first fire brigade known to humankind. Using 500 former Roman soldiers, he turned misfortune for others into a profitable business for himself. At the first sign of fire, Crassus and his brigade would rush to the scene. Crassus would negotiate with the owner. If the owner of the structure agreed to pay the firefighting fee, the brigade would extinguish the fire with water buckets. If an agreement could not be reached, the brigade would let the structure burn to the ground.

It is safe to say that organized firefighting did not start as a benevolent profession. Instead, it was used for profit and wealth creation. Crassus’s idea of firefighting was not one based on community service or sacrifice for others. However, as history progressed, that changed. The fire service became a noble calling and a vocation built on principles. The real question is: who originated these principles?

To answer that question, we need to examine the Crusades and learn about a group of altruistic guardians known as the Knights of Malta or the Knights of St. John. The Crusades were holy wars that occurred during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. During this period, the Knights of Malta were known for extinguishing fires used to injure their comrades. These silent guardians used red cloaks, worn over their armor as a symbol of prestige, to smother flames engulfing fellow brothers in battle. They also used a specific type of shield shaped like the Maltese Cross that Firefighters wear today.

The shape of the modern-day Maltese Cross* has changed slightly from the days of the Knights of Malta. However, the eight points on the cross represent the same principles that guided the Knights hundreds of years ago.

*Modern-Day Maltese Cross

The Eight Principles

1. Gallantry—Dedication to service
2. Perseverance—Never give up
3. Loyalty—To those you swore an oath to protect
4. Dexterity—The ability to adapt and overcome
5. Explicitness—Communicate clearly and with a purpose
6. Observation—To be mindful of your surroundings, constantly aware
7. Tact—Professionalism
8. Sympathy—Caring without judgment

The Maltese Cross signifies that all Firefighters meet a certain standard of service because of the principles they follow. That standard of principled service is an integral part of the FDNY.

In 1624, the Dutch claimed the southern tip of Manhattan. By 1646, they also settled in the borough of Brooklyn. The new settlers developed communities in both areas. As these populations grew, so did the incidence of fires. To promote a safer environment, local leadership promulgated the first fire ordinance in 1648 for both settlements. The provincial Governor appointed Fire Wardens to enforce these new fire safety rules. These were the first steps toward organized firefighting in America.

Forty-two years after the arrival of the Dutch, the English seized both settlements. Manhattan was renamed New York (NY) after the English Duke of York, and Brooklyn was renamed Kings County. At the end of the revolutionary war, New York became the eleventh state to join the United States of America. As the cities of Manhattan and Brooklyn continued to grow, essential services, such as fire protection became an integral part of the communities. Volunteer fire brigades protected both cities. Unfortunately, these organizations were notorious for fighting with each other while buildings burnt to the ground. Whoever controlled the fire scene received the insurance money for services rendered. This business practice could no longer be tolerated.

In 1865, a New York State act abolished the volunteer Fire Department system. The Brooklyn and Manhattan Fire Departments were now under the Governor’s control and formed into the Metropolitan Fire Department. However, this act was ineffective, and both Departments remained separate until 1898, when the Tweed Charter combined them into one organization under one city. The agency was now under the New York City mayor’s control and renamed the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). As New York City continued to grow, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx joined Manhattan and Brooklyn. All five boroughs were now under the protection of the FDNY.

The modern-day FDNY protects three hundred-two square miles and more than eight million people, one million structures, significant infrastructure, and waterways. The FDNY is the second-largest Fire Department in the World, with over seventeen thousand employees. The civilian leader is the Fire Commissioner; the operational leader is the Chief of Department. The Department’s executive branch is comprised of uniform Staff Chiefs, plus Deputy, Associate, and Assistant Commissioners. The Staff Chiefs oversee the operational Units, and the Deputy, Associate, and Assistant Commissioners oversee the administrative Units.

The Department’s operational side is divided into four major Bureaus—Fire Operations, Emergency Medical Service Operations (EMS), Training, and Fire Prevention. Smaller Bureaus and Centers also exist, such as the Bureaus of Safety, Fire Investigation, Communications, and the Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. The largest Bureau, Fire Operations, is broken down into five Borough Commands, nine Divisions*, and fifty-three Battalions. In addition, one hundred ninety-seven Engine Companies, one hundred forty-three Ladder Companies, eight Squad Companies, five Rescue Companies, one hazardous material - Haz-Mat Company, twelve hazardous material tactical Units, better known as Haz-Tac, one Field Communications Unit, three Marine Units, countless marine vessels including three one hundred forty-foot ships, and numerous specialized apparatus are quartered in two-hundred-fifty-four firehouses across the city. The Bureau of EMS Operations has a similar structure with four-hundred-fifty ambulances.

Note: The words Companies and Units are interchangeable.

*FDNY Fire Divisions

Note: The seventeen chapters within this book honor the past and present Fire Divisions. Throughout the Department’s history, the number of Fire Divisions has fluctuated from one through seventeen; currently, there are nine.