Fire Stations in New York City

A fire station (also known as a firehouse, fire hall, or firemen’s hall) is a structure that houses firefighting apparatus and related vehicles. It may also contain working and living space for firefighters and their support staff. Fire stations frequently contain a number of narrow towers that are called hose towers, which serve as storage for firefighting hoses, and other specialized equipment.

Typically, a fire station contains an engine company, ladder companies, rescue units, a fire command center and other fire department support services. Fire stations are often built in a distinctive style to identify them. Some have bell towers, clock towers, or other ornamentation to distinguish them from their surroundings. Fire departments use their fire stations for many activities, including regular inspections and cleaning of apparatus, training drills, and public activities such as community fire prevention weeks. Some fire stations also host fund-raising activities by the “fire buffs” or “firemen’s association”.

The FDNY faces many unique challenges in fighting its responsibilities, due to the fact that New York City’s building types vary so widely and it is home to many secluded bridges and tunnels, high-rise buildings, large parks, wooded areas, and other natural hazards. The FDNY responds to incidents that range from auto accidents to hazardous materials emergencies, and everything in between.

In addition to fires, the FDNY is regularly called upon to respond to elevator emergencies, apartment complex fires, natural gas leaks, explosions, transit incidents, unstable buildings or structures, confined spaces, and more. The FDNY has a number of ways to receive fire calls, but the most common method is by calling 9-1-1 and speaking to a New York City Police Department operator, who will then transfer the call to the proper borough fire department communications dispatch office.

When a civilian reports a fire or emergency incident, the dispatcher will assign an incident number to the call. The dispatcher will then read the incident number to the responding units, as well as any additional information that the Bureau of Fire Communications or a supervising dispatcher deems important.

Typical information read to the responding units include the type of call, the box number, a description of the scene, and any other pertinent information such as type of building or structure, line stretch (how far the hoses need to be run), water conditions, smoke level, and any other special requests.

A FDNY dispatcher is trained to assess the situation and respond appropriately with the appropriate resources to address the call. This includes the use of various forcible entry and ventilation tools, oxygen tanks, ground extension ladders, and other basic firefighting and rescue tools. There are 197 Engine Companies and 143 Ladder Companies in the FDNY.