RESCUE SQUAD, The origins of Rescue Co. 1, FD of the City of New York, 1915-1925
ON THE BOOK SHELF
By John M. Malecky March, 2025
Rescue Squad
The origins of Rescue Co. 1
Fire Department of the City of New York, 1915-1925
By Paul Hashagen
Available from:
FSP Books
433 Main Street, Suite 2A
Hudson, MA 01749
1-800-522-8528
E-mail: support@fire-police-ems.com
Price: $19.99
This book is soft cover and measures six inches by nine inches, with 292 pages which includes a glossary. It includes the first 10 years of operations of Rescue 1, which was the first rescue squad established in the country. It was organized in 1915 for the purpose of rescuing firefighters. As time went on, its duties expanded. It is written by a firefighter who retired from the FDNY with 25 years of service, 20 of which were spent assigned to Rescue 1. He has written two other books about Rescue 1. His writing is truly a labor of love. In this book with the help of many and what I would perceive as countless hours of research, he chronologically writes about the many operations of Rescue 1 laid out in individual chapters of each year. Each chapter also is reported on chronologically month by month. They are laid out in great detail, plus there are individual names of each member from beginning to end. Since respiratory protection was non-existent for other fire companies for the most part, firefighters were hampered by smoke and other gases which resulted in prolonged fire extinguishment, injuries and death. The rescue company was equipped with specialized smoke helmets, which allowed them to get through dangerous conditions to rescue firefighters and others. They were equipped with a pulmotor
(an early form of a resuscitator) for reviving those who stopped breathing. The truck had other specialized tools and equipment. Their crew members were also specialists in the trade (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.), which increased the effectiveness of the company. And as with all firefighters, they were fully enthusiastic in their work. They performed heroics and made unbelievable rescues. This book, which is all taken from records, shows the miraculous ways that the squad saved many. Unfortunately, there was death of firefighters and civilians recorded in the book, but it is another writing by a retiree who loved his work and his assignment.
No information from the author.
