FDNY Tales - Vic Hershkowitz

FDNY Tales - Ready to Serve


In the 1960's and continuing through the "war years" of the 1970's, the quarters of Engine 5 and Squad 5 was a very busy place on the lower east side of Manhattan.

The Squad response territory covered several Battalions and was a larger area than what the Engine covered. Frequently, the Squad would have a run that the Engine wasn't assigned to.

One night, as the meal was being prepared by one of the Squad members, a box came in for the Squad. The 'chef', was in the middle of cooking his 'secret' tomato sauce, when he had to run to the rig.

As the Squad was pulling out the door, Jack Quinlan, one of the engine men, yelled after the chef: "Does the sauce need some oregano?" The reply came back, "Yeah, throw in a couple of spoons."

When the Squad came back a while later, the chef quickly returned to his favorite simmering tomato sauce recipe, lifted the lid on the pot, and there, as instructed, were two spoons floating in the sauce! (Bob Mahoney)

Now it's your turn. If you have a story that you'd like to submit, or have an idea for a story please let us know. Send it to: fdnytales@Fire-Police-EMS.com

Thanks, Ira Hoffman