Throwback FDNY: Recent Episodes
New York City Fire Museum
The New York City Fire Museum's Throwback FDNY podcast is here to help present the extraordinary history and unique heritage of the fire department in the five boroughs. Each episode, we’ll turn a spotlight on three specific years and share a story from each that we hope brings the Fire Department’s past to life, a must for FDNY history buffs of all ages! This initiative is brought to you with help from the FDNY and the FDNY Foundation.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 19-teen’s including, in 1911 when John Kenlon was appointed Chief of Department, in 1914 when the Department got its first ambulance for humans, and in 1919 when the Department’s band was formed.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY...we’re revisiting stories from the 1970’s including, in 1972 when the Model Cities Program, in 1975 when the FDNY begins its first Emergency Medical Technician Program, and in 1978 as Augustus Beekman is appointed Fire Commissioner.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… In 2023, some of the New York City Fire Museum's biggest supporters gathered at the 3rd annual golf outing and fundraiser at the Muttontown Club in East Norwich, N.Y., to aid the Museum's mission to preserve, celebrate, and educate. The event honored FDNY Chief of Department John J. Hodgens and Matt Duthie, the Senior Vice President of Newmark Property Management. The Museum thanked Platinum Sponsor Silverstein Properties.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… an incident in 1861 leads to the first Medal of Honor being awarded; and it has an FDNY connection. In 1867, Doctor Charles McMillan is appointed to be the first official Department Medial Officer. And, in 1942, the FDNY Military Services Division is established.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we being in 1913 when the Firemen’s Monument is unveiled; then in 1879, a new apparatus is introduced into the FDNY to combat fires in the city’s skyward-reaching buildings; and in 1954, a notable fire prevention advocate is named Commissioner of the FDNY.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we begin in 1945, as a military bomber hits the Empire State Building; then in 1970 a terrorist group launches a campaign of arson in New York City; and in 1992, Mychal Judge is appointed as an FDNY Chaplain.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY…in 1913, the New York Fire Department Band is formed. In 1940, Patrick Walsh is appointed Chief of Department. And in 1978, a fire in a Brooklyn supermarket claims the lives of six of New York’s Bravest.
Throwback FDNY to 1867, the New York Fire Patrol is named. In 1938, former Manhattan-based volunteer firefighter Alexander Cartwright, Jr. is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And in 1958, a fire on Wooster Street in Manhattan, claims the lives of two firefighters and four fire patrolmen.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… in 1868, Minthorne Tompkins is the first member of the FDNY to receive a medal for valor; then 1889 Hugh Bonner is made Chief of Department and a medal is named in his honor; and a fire in 1975 causes over 260 firefighters to call in sick the next day!
In this episode of Throwback FDNY, we begin with the Department's venture into the domain of pre-hospital emergency medical care in 1914; then in 1966, “Breadbox” ambulances are introduced in New York City; and in 1974, the city graduates its first class of paramedics.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY... we venture back to the days of the Brooklyn Fire Department, starting in 1785 with Brooklyn getting its first fire engine; then a devastating fire ravages one of the Department’s districts in 1848, and finally, the appointment of Thomas Nevins as Chief of the Brooklyn Fire Department in 1870.
Throwback FDNY to the Department appoints its first chaplains in 1899; in 1932, Georgiana McMennamin, the last FDNY Matron is hired, and 1982, Harriett Duren, one of the first female firefighters is appointed.
Throwback FDNY to Wesley Williams, the first Black officer in FDNY history, the "Model Cities" program is instituted to help combat economic disparities in New York City's most fire-ravaged communities and a lasting tribute to Captain Richard A. Vernon
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… The Equitable Building fire in 1912 prompts a major innovation in the FDNY, the FDNY takes on the responsibility of providing fire protection at New York’s first commercial airport in 1939, and the “four-day Commissioner” Elmer Mustard is appointed in 1940.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY...Chief Joseph Martin earns his famous nickname at a fire in 1899. One happy story emerges from a Manhattan fatal fire in 1946 and an aircraft carrier burns at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1960.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… New York City firefighters march off with General George Washington in 1776. The First New York Fire Zouaves are organized in 1861. And the FDNY Military Memorial is unveiled in Headquarters in 1945.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the loss of three pieces of FDNY apparatus in a fire at the Crystal Palace in 1858. Edward Croker becomes Chief of Department in 1899, and the origin of the FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention in 1911.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the 1864 attempt to burn down New York during the Civil War, the 1920 bombing on Wall Street, and, starting in 1975 – why there are no lockers at airports anymore!
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… we begin in 1918 with a Fire Department within the Fire Department, next, is the Ritz Tower Fire and Explosion in 1932, and we introduce you to an Olympic Firefighter from 1948
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the World Building Fire of 1882 and how it changed the FDNY, the last run using horses in 1922 and in 1947 firefighter Mark Wohlfeld returns to duty.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… The Department holds its first Medal Day ceremony in 1870, the General Slocum fire claims the lives of 1,021 in 1904, and Assistant Chief Augustus Beekman becomes the 22nd Fire Commissioner in 1978.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… The Deep Roots of FDNY EMS Extend Back to 1869, FDNY Introduces the City to the First Firefighter/EMTs in 1975 and the 1954 Passing of Dr. Harry Archer.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the Bureau of Fire Investigation is Created in 1854, New York Firefighters Respond to the Great Fire in Baltimore in 1904 and Tactical Control Units Are Launched in 1970.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the 1850 Arrival of the Charitable Swedish Nightingale, the Tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire of 1911 and the First 41 Women Join the Ranks of Firefighters in 1982
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… The First Known Black Woman Firefighter Molly Williams Answers the Call in 1818, Trailblazing African-Americans Make Inroads into the Fire Service Starting in 1898, and Robert O. Lowery’s Historic Appointment to Fire Commissioner in 1966.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… The 1870 Appointment of Thomas “Never Lose a Man” Nevins to Brooklyn’s Chief of Department, the 1916 Bombing of Black Tom Island by Saboteurs, and the 1960 Park Slope, and Staten Island, Plane Crashes
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the devastating Brooklyn Theatre Fire of 1876, the tenure of Chief of Department John Kenlon begins in 1911 and 1957 formation of the Radiological Unit.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… A military structure takes root in 1867 under General Alexander Shaler, the 1940 origin of the training publication, WNYF, and the deadly 1949 Holland Tunnel Fire.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the Bureau of Training’s 1883 Origin as the School of Instruction, the Short-Lived Chief of Staff and Operations post introduced in 1946 and recalling the 1966 23rd Street Fire.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY… the First Chief of Department is sworn into office in 1865, operations at the massive Grace Land Pier Fire of 1947 and the 1965 rollout of the extraordinary, extra large and extra expensive Superpumper System.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY hosted by the New York City Fire Museum's Executive Director Gary Urbanowicz… The Department’s first motorized vehicle hits the streets in 1901, fire protection at the 1939 World’s Fair and how a Lower Manhattan blaze in 1970 helped strengthen high-rise fire codes.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY hosted by the New York City Fire Museum's Executive Director Gary Urbanowicz… The 1891 launch of the Fireboat New Yorker, Firefighter Edward Thompson’s 1962 appointment to Fire Commissioner and the Department’s first foray into computerization in 1980.
In this episode of Throwback FDNY hosted by the New York City Fire Museum's Executive Director Gary Urbanowicz … New Amsterdam’s 1648 Bucket Ordinance, Chief John Kenlon’s foresight after the Equitable Building fire of 1912 and the lasting legacy of the 1994 Watts Street fire.