NYC Urban Sketchers Blog: SUNDAY: Sketch the Great Firehouses of NYC

Thursday, October 8, 2015

SUNDAY: Sketch the Great Firehouses of NYC

Sunday, October 11, 2015

We are all thankful to the brave men and women

who place themselves in danger every day saving lives.

On Sunday we will honor NYC Firefighters by sketching two of their most iconic Firehouses

Our first stop will be to sketch the house located at 42 Great Jones St.
Engine 33 resides there with Tower Ladder 9 (Chemical Protective Clothing - (CPC)) and Purple K Unit 33 (Purple k is a type of dry powder extinguishing agent carried on these rigs used to control gasoline, petroleum oil and paint fires as well as flammable gases such as propane and butane Purple K is also used on electrical fires) They are part of the 6th Battalion, Division - 1, servicing the Bowery.

In the Afternoon we will visit the house at 147 East 67 Street. Engine 39 is there with Ladder 16 and High-Rise Unit 2 (They carry equipment, lights, and generators that are used in combating high-rise building fires. Click to see video.)

Background:
Each firehouse contains 1-3 fire companies. There are six different types of fire companies that operate six different types of fire apparatus, or "rigs". Each company serves a different and unique purpose at a fire or emergency. The five fire company types are: Engine Companies, Ladder (or Truck) Companies, Squad Companies, Rescue Companies, the Haz-Mat. Company, and Marine Companies.

Each individual fire company is commanded by a Captain and three Lieutenants. The Captain is in charge of that company's firehouse. In a firehouse that contains more than one fire company, the Captain assigned to the engine company is in charge of the firehouse. When a Captain is not on-duty, one of the three company Lieutenants commands the unit. Each company, depending on the specific unit (i.e. Engine, Ladder, Squad, Rescue, Haz-Mat.) is assigned 4 firefighters on Engine Companies with the fifth man or woman being the on-duty officer. Ladders, Squad, and the Rescue Companies staff the units with 5 firefighters per tour or shift, excluding the on-duty officer. During each tour, each firefighter is assigned a specific "riding position" on the company's apparatus that designates what task each member is to perform at the scene of a fire.

DETAILS:
When: Sunday starting at 10 AM. Sleeping late? You're missing the good stuff, but come anyway - join us when you can.

Where: First stop will be the firehouse at 42 Great Jones St. It's 3 blocks east of Washington Sq Park and near the 8 St. stop of the N or R train or the Astor Place or Bleeker Street stops on the #6 train. (see map below)

Lunch: 12 Noon - We'll enjoy the good weather and have lunch al fresco in Washington Park. Bring your own or buy something on the way.

Afternoon: 1:15 We will travel uptown to the firehouse at 147 East 67 Street. Take the #6 train to Lexington Ave (63rd St) or the 68th Street stop at Hunter College.

POST Sketching Event - 3:15 NUS (Not Urban Sketching)

Dr. Sketchy will have their HAMMER HALLOWE’EN!show. If you've never checked out Dr. Sketchy it's weird and lots of sketching fun. Doors open at 3:30 PM. at the Flûte Bar, 205 West 54th St. Session runs from 4-7 pm. Please bring your own art supplies. Seating is first come first serve! $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and a 2 drink minimum from Flûte Bar's delicious happy hour menu.
(Click for details.)