It was late in the tour and we were returning to quarters when the dispatcher informed us to respond to a stalled elevator. We were only a few blocks away from the location and noticed that the traffic signals weren’t working during our response. Radio traffic was heavy, so we waited to notify the dispatcher of the problem.
Entering the building, we noticed how dark the hallways were and realized there was also no power. Figuring we had an isolated blackout-most likely only a few blocks in area because of a transformer or manhole fire, we went about our job. The power to the elevator was still shut down, and we removed the victims from the stalled car.
Getting back into the rig, the chauffeur informed us that the whole city was blacked out; we were then dispatched to numerous runs for stalled elevators. We decided to conserve our flashlights-only one or two members used them going up the dark stairs and hallways, but we all used them when removing the elevators’ occupants. Back in quarters about an hour later, we began putting the reserve ladder apparatus stored in quarters into service.
Immediately after placing it in service, we were relocated downtown to assist with numerous stalled elevators in high-rise office buildings. Prior to leaving quarters, we all made sure we had a set of sneakers with us and a few extra T-shirts; if we were going to be walking up numerous flights of stairs with tools in hot temperatures, we wanted to be able to do it comfortably and without wearing ourselves down. Plus, everyone made sure they had a charged flashlight, extra batteries for the portable radios, and a full water cooler.
Responding downtown into streets lined with autos trying to make their way out of the city with no operating traffic signals should be something every chauffeur should experience once in their career. Remaining calm while driving through tight spaces and encountering pedestrian traffic so heavy on the roads because the sidewalks are too overcrowded (no subway service) is bound to increase driving skill and efficiency.
Things got so bad in some areas with major gridlock that we had to respond by going down one-way streets against traffic for numerous blocks. Although this sounds dangerous, we responded on the right hand side of the street, as normal driving would have it, and we responded with lights and sirens. In some instances, we moved quite slowly and always came to stops at intersections to ensure our safe arrival at the scene of our next emergency.
Many times we decided to get out of the rig and walk down the side streets to the reported location of the stalled elevator. We did this mainly so we wouldn’t have to waste time trying to maneuver the apparatus through gridlock; if we were needed on another run, we could most likely respond a little more quickly to the next incident.
After arriving back in our neighborhood, every block looked like a water park with people of all ages cooling off. We stopped to put sprinkler caps on many of the open hydrants, but we knew we couldn’t keep up with controlling all of them or with some of the unruly crowds. If we caught a job, one engine may be assigned to search the area and close them.
A few hours later, we responded to a reported fire on the 14th floor as an extra truck; with no working elevators, the chief was being proactive and ordering extra companies in place for insurance. As we reported into the command post, we could see the line shooting out the windows; the fire was knocked down. It was caused by a candle and was confined to a small section of the room. The units already operating on the fire floor could handle it, so we just stood fast.
As we got relieved, watching the sun come up between the clusters of buildings, the city of darkness transformed, and another box about 10 blocks from our current location was being transmitted for fire in a dwelling. We responded. As we got closer, we could see the column of smoke. The first unit on scene transmitted the working fire signal, and the first-due truck’s aerial ladder was raised to the roof of the converted brownstone. Fire had control of the front room on the second floor, and it was a quick stretch up the exterior stairs and into the building to knock down the fire. Most of the units operating were relocated units because the regularly assigned units were operating at the fire we had just left. Even though many of these units don’t respond or operate daily with each other, they followed department procedures and extinguished the fire quickly. We performed a secondary search on the fire floor and overhauled the apartment.
While the engine was washing down, we picked up a “hot spot” on the wall with the thermal imaging camera. Opening up the wall, we realized that the original old sliding pocket doors were enclosed and fire had extended there. The engine washed the area down, and we were ready to take up when we heard the tenant say she had a candle in that room.
When we got back to quarters after a long 40-hour shift, the relieving officer asked me if I had any suggestions, I said: “Tell all the tenants if they’re using candles to place them in a pot of water away from everything to help prevent any more mishaps.” Also, “Stay calm when dealing with the overheated civilians; have sneakers, a few T-shirts, a full water cooler, and a flashlight with you; and stay hydrated.”
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 30-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladder chapter and co-authored the Ventilation chapter for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009) and is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos on www.FireEngineering.com.
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