Uncle Sam's Warriors

Uncle Sam's Warriors The photographic history past & present of the Troy, NY fire department. [email protected]

www.youtube.com/

June 2004. Jack Mulligan and Jeff Reilly hang the giant flag over 4th Street downtown. Even though there's no parade a...
06/03/2026

June 2004. Jack Mulligan and Jeff Reilly hang the giant flag over 4th Street downtown.

Even though there's no parade anymore, It'd still be nice to hang the Colors for Flag Day.

Troy was a very patriotic city. Uncle Sam and the Flag are rooted deeply in Troy's history.🇺🇸🇺🇸

Two serious fires at the same time on today's date, Friday, June 2nd 1972.2-2-261 was transmitted at 15:41hrs for 2218 5...
06/02/2026

Two serious fires at the same time on today's date, Friday, June 2nd 1972.

2-2-261 was transmitted at 15:41hrs for 2218 5th Ave, a 3 story frame dwelling, when fire began on the 2nd floor from a culinary mishap by a child cooking.

Troy patrolman Ray White was passing by and saw two youngsters in distress, he was able to enter the 2nd floor and rescue a toddler from the burning apt.

Pumpers 1, 8, 3, 4, 5, Squad 1, Trucks 3 & 2, Bttn Chief Nash and Dep. Chief Sheehan responded. Buildings on either side at 2216 and 2220 5th Ave were also damaged. Hosemen Jim Smith, Aaron LaPort, Bill Minahan and Capt. Rich LaParl were treated for injuries. The outtap was transmitted at 18:56hrs.

During the fire, Box 165 was transmitted at 16:45hrs for a fully involved unoccupied building at 5 Stanton Street. The building was part of a housing development project & was destroyed.

Pumpers 6, 7, Truck 1 and Dep. Chief Phoenix responded. Arson was the apparent cause and the outtap was transmitted at 18:40hrs.

As a side note, Troy Record photographer Harry McKenna, who shot the below photo, died suddenly a week later.

Another one bites the dust.Spare 2 broke which was covering for Spare 9 that broke over the weekend which was covering f...
06/01/2026

Another one bites the dust.
Spare 2 broke which was covering for Spare 9 that broke over the weekend which was covering for Engine 1 that's been broke.

Today on June 1st, 1977, at 07:00hrs, The Fire Alarm Signal Station closed, and personnel reported to the 3rd floor disp...
06/01/2026

Today on June 1st, 1977, at 07:00hrs, The Fire Alarm Signal Station closed, and personnel reported to the 3rd floor dispatch center of Central Station down the street.

The era of alarms being dispatched from Headquarters, with the sound of the fire apparatus pulling out of the firehouse 2 floors below lasted until May 1996, when they moved to the present location with the county dispatch in South Troy.

Sadly, and disgustingly, the Signal Station building, which was on the National Register of Historic Places, and owned by the county, was neglected and deteriorated to the point that it was torn down in December 2022.🖕

Box 365 was transmitted today on Saturday morning, June 1st, 1968 at 05:50hrs, 1st plt. for Dr. John J. Sulzman's home o...
06/01/2026

Box 365 was transmitted today on Saturday morning, June 1st, 1968 at 05:50hrs, 1st plt. for Dr. John J. Sulzman's home on Spring Ave at the Crossways, just over the city line.

The fire apparently began in a barbecue pit and extended into the home, causing heavy damage.

Firemen Pete Dechiaro, Frank Magnetto & Nick Pascucci were injured during a smoke explosion which blew them down a set of stairs. They were pulled out of the building by Bttn. Chief Tom Nash.

Pumpers 7, 5, Squad 1, Truck 2, Bttn Chief Tom Nash, Dep. Chief Phoenix and Chief Zapf responded along with volunteer units from Mt. View and Wynantskill. The outtap was transmitted at 07:55hrs.

2-2-261 on May 31st, 1971, 2nd platoon, 2 vacant duplex dwellings from 550-556 Jacob Street at 17:45hrs. The fire starte...
05/31/2026

2-2-261 on May 31st, 1971, 2nd platoon, 2 vacant duplex dwellings from 550-556 Jacob Street at 17:45hrs.

The fire started on a rear 2nd floor porch in the vacant building at 550-552 Jacob Street and extended to neighboring vacant buildings at 554-556, and an occupied building at 560 Jacob Street.

Seven 2.5 inch pumper lines were used along with Scott Air Packs, with Pumpers 1, 8, 5, 4, 3, Trucks 3 & 2, Squad 1, Bttn Chief Walsh, Acting Bttn Chief Henry McLaughlin and Dep. Chief Phoenix responding. The outtap was transmitted at 20:00hrs.

Squad 1 with Capt. Francis Fitzgerald responded back to 550 Jacob Street at 20:50hrs to use a booster line on smouldering embers.

May 31st, 1955, Box 969 at 12:45hrs for a fire in the janitor's closet at Knickerbacker Jr. High School. Pumpers 11, 12...
05/31/2026

May 31st, 1955, Box 969 at 12:45hrs for a fire in the janitor's closet at Knickerbacker Jr. High School.

Pumpers 11, 12, 4, Squad 1, Trucks 1 & 3 responded. Outtap at 13:29hrs. Fireman Don Christensen in the doorway.

Sunday morning, May 30th 1976, 2-2-263 was transmitted at 01:44hrs for a vacant building at 210 8th Street after Troy pa...
05/30/2026

Sunday morning, May 30th 1976, 2-2-263 was transmitted at 01:44hrs for a vacant building at 210 8th Street after Troy patrolmen Joe Burns & Jack Dwyer discovered heavy smoke in the area.

The building had fire on all 3 floors, and occupied homes at 208 8th Street and 805 Jacob Street were damaged. Fireman Dick Hallenbeck was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for facial injuries.

Engines 8, 1, 4, 3, Trucks 3 & 2, and the RS responded. The outtap was transmitted at 05:15hrs.

This was the 3rd fire in the building in the last year. This was also Dep. Chief Russ Sheehan's last fire, his retirement was effective on June 6th, ending an almost 40 year career.

Two serious fires after midnight at the same time on today's date, Saturday, May 29th, 1971, 2nd platoon.Box 251 was tra...
05/29/2026

Two serious fires after midnight at the same time on today's date, Saturday, May 29th, 1971, 2nd platoon.

Box 251 was transmitted for a fire at 03:38hrs for 370-372 River Street. Troy patrolmen Sal Verdile & Bob McDonald discovered the fire on the 2nd floor of the vacant building at 372 River Street. Patrolman McDonald was taken to St. Mary's Hospital with severe cuts to his hand from broken glass.

Heavy smoke & water damaged was reported at 370 River Street, housing George's Shoe Repair Service and occupants on the floors above.

Pumpers 1, 5, 8, Trucks 3 & 2, Squad 1 and Bttn Chief Stasack & Dep. Chief Sheehan responded. The outtap was transmitted at 04:49hrs.

During the fire, 2-2-589 was transmitted for Napoli's Restaurant at 668 2nd Ave at 04:17hrs. The 2nd floor & roof were severely damaged by fire of undetermined origin.

Pumpers 11, 4, 5, Truck 1 & Bttn Chief Dickson responded with Pumper 8, Squad 1 & Dep. Chief Sheehan taking the 2nd alarm in from the River Street fire. The outtap was transmitted at 06:19hrs.

The 2nd platoon had 3 serious fires during that shift.

Thursday, May 29th, 1975, 1st platoon, 2-2-275 at 19:54hrs for the vacant rectory of the former AME Zion Church on 5th A...
05/29/2026

Thursday, May 29th, 1975, 1st platoon, 2-2-275 at 19:54hrs for the vacant rectory of the former AME Zion Church on 5th Ave & Jay Street.

Arson was the cause, the fire was started in a rear room on the 1st floor & extended up a stairwell to the 2nd floor & roof.

Engines 4, 8, 11, 1, the RS, and Trucks 1 & 3 responded. Engine 3 relocated to Engine 4. The outtap was transmitted at 22:00hrs

Address

Troy, NY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Uncle Sam's Warriors posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Uncle Sam's Warriors:

Shortcuts

Share

Category