New York Fire Patrol
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This article is about the salvage corps in New York City. For the fire department, see New York City Fire Department.
| New York Fire Patrol |
|
| FDNY emblem with crossed halligan bars | |
| Motto: "Always Ready" | |
| Established | 1803 / 1839 |
| Staffing | Career |
| Strength | 100 |
| Stations | 3 |
| Squads | 3 |
| Fire chief | Richard Heffernan |
The New York Fire Patrol was a salvage corps created by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters which operated from 1839 until October 15, 2006. Their original mission was two-fold: to discover fires and to prevent losses to insured properties. The Patrol responded primarily to fires at commercial structures, however they would respond to high loss residential fires at times. During the fire the Patrol would spread canvas salvage covers, remove water, operate elevators and secure utilities.
After the fire the Patrol would attempt to prevent further damage to facilities and equipment, with the goal of reducing insurance claims for the damaged goods. Over the years, they grew adept at preventing water damage by immediately pumping out excess water from fire department hoses, at preventing computer and electronics damage by covering and removing equipment as soon as possible, and at preventing damage from the elements by covering broken windows and doors with tarps as soon as possible. The Patrol was also credited with saving hundreds of lives from burning buildings throughout the five boroughs over the course of two hundred years. In the late 20th century the Patrol was reduced to three Patrol Houses, one each in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and one in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn which was responsible for Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Throughout their history, 32 patrolmen died in the line of duty, including Keith M. Roma, Badge 120, on September 11, 2001.
Despite appeals to the New York Board of Fire Underwriters and the City Council, the Fire Patrol's "ratchets rang for the last time" at 0800 on October 15, 2006. The New York Fire Patrol became the last of all the Insurance supported salvage corps to operate in the United States.
