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Winter 2006 Issue >> Contents >> The White Paper

The White Paper

Ace Photos from Steve White's Fire Files

New York firefighter and photographer Steve White sure gets around, and that's why we're presenting a collection of images he's captured this year (so far). This issue, Steve takes us to a factory fire at a Staten Island paper plant, to a ceremonial bread-burning in Brooklyn, then back to Staten Island to battle a brush fire at a landfill, and to rescue a burning tugboat that's loaded to the gunwales with fuel oil. And now, to the files...

Marine 9 ties up to a barge near paper plant, supplying water to the
tower ladders being operated inside the paper plant.

The fire lasted nearly three hours, and 150 firefighters were on-hand
to take part in the response.

The Fireboat Kevin Kane (Marine 6) hits the blaze underneath the
paper plant.

CASE #1
Date: 3/21/05
Location: Staten Island

Circumstances: “A fire in a sprawling paper factory that recycles used paper was reported at around 4pm. The first FDNY unit transmitted a 10-75 for a working fire. The paper recycling plant belongs to Pratt Industries, located at 4435 Victory Blvd., where workers recycle some 275,000 tons of paper and cardboard annually.

The structure measures 1,300-feet-by-75-feet. The fire was in located in the paper pit, which is 40 feet deep and 60-feet-by-120-feet in area. A second alarm was transmitted at 4:35pm. Multiple handlines were in operation, as well as two tower ladders. Ladders 86 and 87 (with Satellite 5) were able to fight the fire from within the facility.

The recycling paper plant is on the Arthur Kill, which is docked on the waterfront of Staten Island. A special call was requested for Marine 9 (the firefighter) to supplement the water supply to the tower ladders in operation. Marine 6 (Kevin Kane) also responded to the scene, and pulled up alongside the facility, using two monitors (deck guns) to fight the blaze. A third alarm was transmitted, which brought the total amount of firefighters on-scene to 150. The fire was brought under control at 6:46pm, with a duration of two hours and forty-five minutes. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries.”

The bread-burning ritual is a long-standing tradition within Brooklyn's
Hasidic Community.

In past years, however, frightened residents reported actual fires, not
understanding the Hasidic ritual that was taking place.

Now the FDNY coordinates safety protection at the event ahead of time.

CASE #2
Date: 4/22/05
Location: Brooklyn

Circumstances: "On April 22, 2005, the Hasidic Community in Brooklyn burned bread in the streets of Borough Park, Brooklyn. This yearly ritual is prepared for well in advance by the FDNY. One of the command posts was set up at the quarters of Engine 282 and Ladder 148, under the command of Division 8 Deputy Chief James Leonard. A mobile communications command center was parked in front of Engine 282's quarters, staffed by FDNY dispatchers.

In years past, Brooklyn FDNY dispatchers were deluged by 9-1-1 fire calls reporting numerous street fires due to the bread burnings. Now the mobile command post dispatches pre-chosen units standing by at the command post, using the 800-Mghz radio without tying up the Brooklyn Borough frequency. Units used were Engines 247 and 248, Ladder 148, Brush Fire Units 1,2 and 4, and ATV units 158 and 160."

Four engine companies and three ladder companies arrived to slug it
out with this brush fire. Flame fronts rose to 20 feet at one point.

CASE #3
Date: 5/4/05
Location: Staten Island

Circumstances: "A large area of brush erupted in flames at Staten Island's closed Fresh Kills Landfill. The fire occurred in the Travis section of Staten Island, which surrounds the landfill. Flames as high as 20 feet were reported by this photographer, who followed the four engine companies and three ladder companies into the dense underbrush. Two FDNY Brush Units were also utilized, as well as Oceanic (a NYC volunteer fire company) who used their brush fire vehicle. It took approximately one hour to knock down the fire."

The Fireboat Governor Smith pours water on the fuel barge that's tied
up to the tugboat on fire (right).

Land-based companies prepare to board the tugboat Brandon C. Roehrig.

Firefighters battle a second alarm fire in the engine room of a tug
at Marine 9's berth.

CASE #4
Date: 8/7/05
Location: Staten Island

Circumstances: "At approximately 2:45 pm, the engine room of the tugboat Brandon C. Roehrig caught fire in the Kill Van Kull, a waterway located between Bayonne, N.J., and Staten Island. The tug was towing a fuel barge loaded with 20,000 gallons of fuel oil. Fireboats Governor Smith, Kevin Kane and two smaller FDNY Boston Whaler fireboats responded to the blaze.

Five crewmembers were rescued as the Gov. Smith pulled alongside the tugboat. Land-based fire companies on the fireboats battled the blaze with two foam lines as the deck guns of the Gov. Smith protected the fuel barge. Ultimately, Division 8 Commander James Leonard ordered all firefighters off the tug and had another tugboat tow it to Staten Island's Old Navy Homeport, where they could attack the fire. A second alarm assignment was transmitted by Division 8 and land-based companies responded to the Homeport to await the tugboat. Car 7, Citywide Tour Commander Edward Kilduff arrived on the scene and took control of the response. The fire was brought under control after two hours."