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Today’s Flashback Friday takes us back to 1887 and the invention of the Browder Life Net, a type of rescue equipment formerly used by firefighters. When used in the proper conditions, it allowed people on the upper floors of burning buildings an opportunity to jump to safety, usually to ground level. Firefighters believed that the practical height limit for successful use of life nets was about six stories, although rescues of 8 stories were recorded in Chicago.
On August 19, 1902, the New York City Fire Department conducted its first real-life rescue with the Browder life net. During rescue operations at a tenement fire that killed five people, a baby was dropped from a fourth-floor fire escape into a life net and survived uninjured. On November 10, 1904, three people were saved when they jumped into a life net during a fire in New York City. There were also several instances in New York, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, where the net was deployed, but due to victims jumping together, the structure failed, and the jumpers perished.
The modern aerial apparatus (a type of aerial work platform) often known as a ladder truck has made the life net obsolete, as this ladder equipment makes it possible for firefighters to carry out rescues more safely, at greater heights and with smaller crews. The net pictured here is on display at the New York City Fire Museum and located in the first-floor gallery.
• Today’s FDNY photo is from December 8, 1982 – a 2-alarm fire at 1610 Richmond Terrace on Staten Island.
Learn more about FDNY history with the Throwback FDNY Podcast, now available on Apple, Spotify and Google Play. Sign up for the Museum's companion Throwback FDNY newsletter, at nycfiremuseum.org/throwbackfdny
As 2022 comes to a close, please consider supporting the New York City Fire Museum during our 2022 Annual Appeal, now through January 6, 2023.
The Museum’s mission is to preserve, educate and celebrate, honoring the history and modern-day heroism of the greatest fire department in the world, the FDNY. Now celebrating 35 years at 278 Spring Street, FDNY history comes alive here through two permanent exhibition floors displaying the history of fire service in New York with countless fascinating artifacts that document the history of the volunteer and paid departments, from painted leather buckets to early motorized apparatus.
The Museum is a place of life-saving learning, hosting thousands of children from school and camp groups throughout the year to learn about fire and life safety from members of the FDNY’s Fire Safety Education Unit. We host numerous community and special events, ranging from exhibit openings to the Annual Golf Outing to family-friendly events such as the popular Santa Rescue. We are planning a full calendar of exhibitions and events in 2023 and hope to see you!
The Museum continues to be adversely impacted by the pandemic and needs your support now more than ever to help us continue our important mission.
DONATE TO THE ANNUAL APPEAL:
VIA WEBSITE: nycfiremuseum.org/donate
VIA CHECK: NYC FIRE MUSEUM: ANNUAL APPEAL
278 SPRING STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10013
Thank you to everyone who came out in support of the Fire Museum to attend our Annual Santa Rescue held on Sunday December 4, 2022.
The weather gave Ladder 1 🚒perfect conditions for ensuring Santa’s safety from the museum rooftop to Spring Street. After a brief intermission to take requests at the Museum, Santa will continue his journey on delivering presents to children across the globe.
Special thanks to Ray Milici for his live performance of carols throughout the event, Bazinga Parties Balloon Artists providing candy cane balloon art and FDNY Fire Safety handing out fire helmets and coloring books.
Today's 🧯takes us back to World War 2 and highlights one of the most impressive stories in the Museum. Firefighter Mark Wohlfield took leave from Engine 34 to serve his country in the Pacific Theater and found himself stationed in the Philippine Islands. When Japan attacked, the defending Army surrendered and Wohlfield found himself as a Prisoner of War. He suffered through the brutal Bataan Death March before escaping and linked up with native Philippine resistance fighters. Wohlfield fought with the resistance, using this machete, until America retook the Islands, and he was repatriated. Wohlfield returned to FDNY service, bur was forced into early retirement due to several diseases he had been afflicted with during his time in the Philippine jungle.
This machete, made by Robert Mole and Sons in Birmingham, England, along with its scabbard, is on display in the museum's first floor gallery.
🚨LAST CHANCE TO GET TICKETS TO OUR ANNUAL SANTA RESCUE! 🚨
You don't want to miss this fun family event! Ticket sales end tomorrow at 4:30pm for our Annual Santa Rescue scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 4 at 12:00 p.m. sharp.
In the best tradition of the fire service, FDNY Ladder Truck 1🚒 will bravely rescue Santa from his perilous perch on top of the New York City Fire Museum.
Once safely inside, Santa will take gift requests and pose for photos. It is free to watch the rescue outside of Museum, and admission to sit with Santa inside the Museum is $15 for adults and children. Children of all ages are invited to attend! 🎄
Help us do our important work to Preserve, Educate and Celebrate. We preserve the history of the greatest fire department in the world. We educate the public, especially children, on fire prevention, safety and survival. And we celebrate the men and women of the FDNY that have served this City for hundreds of years. Visit
https://www.nycfiremuseum.org/donate and donate today!
CYBER MONDAY 🚨 Save 22% Sitewide + Free Shipping Over $150. Enter Code MONYAY22 at checkout.
Support the New York City Fire Museum and find unique holiday gifts by shopping today, on Museum Store Sunday! Not only will you find quality gifts filled with inspiration and educational value, but your purchases, also directly support our mission.
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The holidays are all about giving – and the best gift you can give local businesses is your support. Come visit us today for Small Business Saturday® on Nov 26 to kick off the season in a meaningful way.
For the first time ever! Black Friday sale on event space rental! Save 30-50% off rental fee! Visit
www.nycfiremuseum.org & submit an inquiry today!
- No additional hidden fees or taxes.
- Book by 1/6/23, 4:59pm ET.
- Weekday dates between 10a-5p, from 1/3/23-3/31/23, 50% off.
-Weeknight dates between 5pm-11pm, from 1/3/23-3/31/23, 30% off.
- Weekend dates between 1/7/23-3/26/23, 30% off.
- Blackout dates: 12/15/22-1/3/23, 1/14/23, 3/4/23, 3/21/23-3/23/23
Only applicable to new bookings. Maximum 100ppl guest count. Not applicable to Bazinga Birthday Party Packages. Security deposit required for all events.
Shop all weekend; save all year! Black Friday is here, and we’ve got a deal! Save 22% off all items, enter code FRIYAY22. Deal ends Monday 11/28 at 11:59PM. Valid for online purchases only.
🚨BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS ARE HERE ALL WEEKEND LONG!🚨
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22% Off all online shop items today thru Monday!
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Get in the holiday spirit during our Annual Santa Rescue!
On Sunday, December 4 at 12:00 p.m. sharp, in the best tradition of the fire service, an FDNY ladder truck will bravely rescue Santa from his perilous perch on top of the New York City Fire Museum. Once safely inside, Santa will take gift requests and pose for photos. Enjoy live music and snacks on our 3rd floor. It is free to watch the rescue outside of Museum, and admission to sit with Santa inside the Museum is $15 for adults and children.
Children of all ages are invited to attend ! Purchase your ticket today!
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday with your loved ones. We will re-open on Friday November 25th at 10am.