THE HISTORY OF SQUAD CO. 41
During the 1960’s through the 1970’s the South Bronx as well as other New York City neighborhoods were going through a conflagration. Working fires were being fought in record numbers and South Bronx fire companies were going to work in amazing proportions. In 1968, the busiest engine and ladder companies were assigned a second piece of apparatus to “relieve” the work of the first piece.
During this time, Engine Company 41 received a second piece. This second section used the apparatus and manpower of disbanded Manhattan Engine Co. 72 (now a Bronx engine). This second section was used from 1957-1958 and again in 1968 to 1974. The company was designated as Engine Company 41-2. In 1974, the F.D.N.Y. was responding to 353,458 alarms. Working fires were at 130,324, with 52,473 structural fires. Engine Company 41’s second piece was disbanded and was reorganized to be Squad Company 5. Squad Company 5 was disbanded in 1976.
In 1981, the F.D.N.Y. began to experiment with a different color rig, lime-yellow and in 1982 Engine 41 received one of these pumpers.
On May 3, 1989, Engine Company 41 (now only one piece) was disbanded. Because the City needed to cut back on expenses, fire companies were then disbanded and Engine 41 was one of them. Engine 41 has played a vital role in the South Bronx as a fire fighting company. Due to a rise in fire fatalities in the area and protests by the residents of the area, Engine 41 was re-organized and placed back into service on July 1, 1990.
On July 1, 1990, a new chapter in the history of Engine Company 41 began. The company was reinstated but this time, Engine 41 would have a new responsibility. Engine 41 was designated Engine/ Squad 41 dubbed an “enhanced engine company”. Engine/ Squad 41 would not only respond to they’re first, second, and third due alarm boxes, but would perform squad company work at working fires outside of those areas. They were now responding as a squad company to working fires in Bronx Battalions 3, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, and to Manhattan’s Battalions 12 and 13.
As a Squad Company, members are trained in both engine and truck work. Upon their arrival at a job, the incident commander would utilize them to his desire. The company rides with an officer and five firefighters. As an engine, the riding positions are: The engine company chauffeur (Motor Pump Operator), the Officer, Nozzle, Back-up, Door, and the Control position. The Squad Company the positions are as follows: chauffeur, Officer, Iirons, Hook, Saw, and Roof position. The Officer, Hook, and Irons are the inside team, and the Saw, Roof, and Chauffeur are the outside team.
Members of a squad company are not normally assigned. Like a Rescue Company, firefighters or officers wanting to be a member of a squad, would request an interview with the Squad Company Captain. Experience in a busy company as well as other trades e.g.: carpentry, iron or steel work, construction are very beneficial and would improve your chances of getting onto this specialized unit.
In 1998, The F.D.N.Y. made several changes. Due to the increased awareness in Hazardous Materials, six engine companies were designated as squad companies. Engines 18, 61, 252, 270, and 288 were designated squads. Squad Company 1 in Brooklyn remained Squad 1. The establishment of the squads on F.D.N.Y. Department Order 68 states 'The Squads are equipped with ladder company tools and are trained and equipped to operate as a ladder or engine company. They will continue to respond to their assigned first-alarm boxes.' Effective August 1, 1998, Squad members will be Haz-Mat Technician Units equipped with a second apparatus and equipment for responses to haz-mat incidents. On July 2, 1998 Engine/ Squad 41 was officially designated Squad Company 41.
Also in 1998, Squad Company 41 received they’re new rig. They respond in a custom-built apparatus known as a rescue-pumper. The pumper has a 1000gpm capability with a 500 gallon booster tank.
With two Squad Companies now in The Bronx, Squad 41 has a new response area for working fires. Squad 41 would now respond to working fires in Bronx Battalions 3, 17, 19, 26, and in Manhattan above 90th Street on the East Side and 100th Street on the West Side covering Battalions 11, 12, 13, and 16. Squad 41 is located in Battalion 14’s district and responds to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd due boxes in these areas.
