Broad Channel Vol. Fire Department
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Originally established as a bucket brigade in 1905, it was later formally organized in 1907 as the Broad Channel Vol. Fire Association after which the department occupied the original firehouse in 1908 where it remains operating present day. In 1942, the department was reorganized as a Civil Defense unit known as the Broad Channel Vol. Fire Department Emergency Auxiliary Corps which was the first in New York State to operate 24 hours a day from their own firehouse. Once again reorganized in 1951, the department operates present day as the Broad Channel Vol. Fire Department. Serving the waterfront residential community of Broad Channel in the Borough of Queens, BCVFD operates as one of the nine remaining active volunteer fire departments within the confines of New York City. Thirty active volunteers providing Fire, Rescue and Basic Life Support level EMS protection (Advanced Life Support is provided by FDNY*EMS Station 47 paramedics) answer an annual average of 300 alarms.
The department's home since 1908, BCVFD has been actively pursuing the replacement of this firehouse with a new modern four bay station better suited for their flood prone area. Following twenty years of navigating city and state regulations, fundraising efforts and setbacks with cost projections, the project is still progressing forward - in the interim, the members completed a major overhaul of the building addressing issues with storm damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. While not physically changing the footprint of the structure, the engine room was completely rebuilt with a truss system to allow for a matching roofline with increased ceiling height for apparatus clearance while the front bay door was upsized to a safe limit essentially making
it a foot wider and taller for increased accessibility. All electrical and HVAC systems along with the dispatch console were moved to the second floor to be more flood resistant while new aluminum siding and windows were installed by a local contractor giving the building a renewed exterior look.
Engine 201 - 2000 Pierce Dash 1500 gpm/750 gal.
Originally serving the Point Pleasant Beach Fire Co# 2 in New Jersey, this rig was acquired at no cost to the community using FEMA storm recovery funding. Entering service in the Summer of 2022, it replaced a 1991 Simon-Duplex/Emergency One 1750/500 engine that was donated by the Sleepy Hollow FD in Westchester County (a northern suburb bordering New York City) after Broad Channel's entire fleet was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Assigned to Renegade Engine Co# 1, it is adorned with hand painted artwork featuring their Blue Crab mascot (a local creature found in nearby Jamaica Bay) while the helmet shield features the badge number of the late Firefighter Kelly Werther.
Seating eight (five with SCBA), it features a 110 volt PTO generator with two 200' cord reels, multiple power receptacles and an outlet with FDNY 3" threads set up as a large diameter discharge for in-line pumping. Its' hose load includes includes pre-connected supply lines (front/both sides), a 100' 1-3/4" pre-connect with fog nozzle on the front bumper, two color coded 1-3/4" pre-connects stored in a "Broad Channel Pack" load (a combination of Mattydale and Horseshoe loads developed by a former captain of the company in 2005), a 2-1/2" pre-connect outfitted with a Blitzfire® monitor for use as an unmanned exposure line in alleyways while the rear bed features a "long stretch bed" of 300' 1-3/4" with a smooth bore nozzle mated to 600' of 2-1/2", 500' of 2-1/2" attack line with smooth bore nozzle and 2,000' of 3.5" supply line.
Operating as an "Enhanced Engine" (as are both the department's engines), its' equipment complement includes three additional SCBA, a thermal imager, four gas meter, Husqvarna®/Partner® saws (wood/masonry blades), assorted extinguishers and a full complement of truck company tools. For extrication, a portable Turbo pump provides power for a Hurst® model 32B spreader, cutter, combi-tool and/or various size rams. In addition, it carries assorted size rescue struts, stepchocks and cribbing as well as various size Hurst® air bags ranging up to 26 tons. Based on their waterfront location, it is outfitted for water/ice rescue including binoculars, a buoy map of Jamaica Bay, a life ring, four drysuits, PFD's, a 2.5" hose inflation kit for use as a flotation device, water rescue rope and SKED® Stretcher. A RIT pack, large area search rope bag and Stokes basket (equipped with a backboard, scoop stretcher and KED® extrication device) are provided for the crew to act as a Firefighter Assist & Search Team (FAST). A full NYS Part 800 compliant EMS bag with pulse oximetry/glucometry/RAD meter capabilities, pediatric kit and an AED provide BLS level first response emergency medical care.
Engine 203 - 1992 Pierce Lance 1500 gpm/650 gal.
Originally serving as Engine 424 with Hose Co# 1 of the Lynbrook FD in neighboring Nassau County on Long Island, this rig was acquired through Command Fire Apparatus of Lancaster, PA and is now assigned to Outlaw Engine Co# 2 (shown here in 2018, the rig has since had custom artwork added to the crew cab doors reflecting its' assignment to the company). Featuring a ten man tilt cab, it is equipped with a Feecon® around-the-pump foam system, a single 300' booster reel on the back step
and a Roto-Ray warning light giving it the distinction of being the only fire apparatus operating within New York City (volunteer or career) featuring this unique style of warning device. Also outfitted as an "Enhanced Engine", its' equipment/hose complement
mirrors that of Engine 201 with the only difference being a pre-connected attack line in the rear bed in lieu of the front bumper.
Engine 212 (Retired) - 1991 Ford L9000/Pirsch/Toyne 1500 gpm/500 gal.
Known as "The God of Hellfire" due to its' LOUD vertical exhaust, this rig was donated by the Chanhasset (Minnesota) FD in 2012 following Hurricane Sandy when Broad Channel's entire apparatus fleet was destroyed. It served in frontline service for a time and has since been relegated for use as a public relations/parade piece where it is a favorite at firematic events.