“The Firehouse Kitchen Table”

By Mark Gregory

111 Truck, FDNY  (The Nuthouse)



There is a very important tool in the fire service that’s purpose is greatly underestimated by many. This tool has more hours of use than any piece of equipment stored on our apparatus. It is not the halligan tool or the lead attack line on your first due engine. Quite simply, it is “the firehouse kitchen table”. Now, some of you are probably saying “what the heck is Urban Firefighter Magazine running a post about a piece of furniture for?” Well my friends read on.

Firehouse kitchen tables have been around for hundreds of years; they come in various shapes and sizes. Some are very plain and business-like. Others are masterpieces that have been built from scratch. They are decorated with the names of our fallen comrades and the artwork of our company logos. The table we had in Rescue 2 was built from a cable reel and roping covered by numerous coats of polyurethane.  The ‘Nuthouse’ (Ladder 111) table is covered in gold leafing and supported by fire hydrants. No matter what type of table you have in your station, one thing that the table holds together for us all is tradition.

Issue 1

Greed Is Good-Ray McCormack

Ray McCormack Lieutenant, Ladder 28, FDNY. Ray speaks to the competitive spirit of firefighters who understand the importance of being in the game. His observations on developing a winning mind set enables any engine company to see why “Greed Is Good”. (Page 2)

Gene Rowell-Erich Roden

Erich profiles an exceptional firefighter from Chicago who talks about playing professional football and fighting fires; and why they both parallel each other in Gene Rowell’s world. (page 6)

The Garage Fire-Erich Roden

Erich discusses a common fire in the urban setting, the detached garage, and how to safely operate during these fires. (page 12)

Bill Noonan-Erich Roden

Erich Roden profiles legendary fire photographer: Bill Noonan, and gets his take on getting that iconic fire photo; and why it’s important to stick around after the fire. (page 32)

Ventilating Peaked-Roofs: The Milwaukee Method-David Rickert

David Rickert Firefighter, Truck 9 Milwaukee Fire Department. The Milwaukee Fire Department has a unique method of ventilating peaked-roofs; and David describes the equipment, tools and step-by-step process that make it the safest and efficient manner of peaked-roof ventilation. (Page 18)