On Monday, December 19, 2011 two firefighters from Rescue Company 2 were severely burned while operating at Box 920, 1100 Prospect Place off of Albany Ave.  Both Firefighter James Gersbeck and Firefighter Robert Weidmann were admitted to Cornell Burn Center in Manhattan where they will undergo several weeks of treatment and procedures.  Rescue Company 2 has established the "FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund" to benefit James, Robert and their families.  Please click on the link below to be directed to Rescue 2's website where you will find more information on the fund and how to donate.

Squad 252 is in the process of stream-lining our process for notifying past and present members of company events and outings. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS EFFORT A SUCCESS. If you are a past member of Squad Company 252 or Engine Company 252 and would like to be notified about company events and happenings, please email your name and email address to squad252@hotmail.com. Electronic mail will become our primary means of notifying you of whats going on in the company. We will no longer be using postage mail to send invitations. We thank you in advance for your help!

An early morning fire broke out at Box 0151, 515 Meeker Ave, Humboldt Street to Russel Street, in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Just as Squad 252 arrived on scene, units gave a report of fire in the cockloft of the building. The chief immediately sent the members of 252 in to assist companies with opening up on the top floor. Many layers of ceiling made the job of exposing the cockloft tedious. Fire was found throughout the cockloft and was quickly knocked down by the engine companies on scene.

A small kitchen fire was found at Box 0839, 1464 Bushwick Ave, Granite Street to Pilling Street. The fire was located on the 2nd floor of a five story class 2 building. Squad 252 was assigned as the first due engine and found a heavy smoke condition with a small fire contained by the sprinkler system. The area was washed down and all searches proved negative.

A 10-60 signal in the New York City Fire Department indicates a major incident. Upon its transmission, a number of additional units as well as special units are assigned. Among these units is an additional Squad Company. 252 was assigned as the additional squad for a building collapse in Brighton Beach. A 10-60 was transmitted for Box 3650, 2929 Brighton 5 Street, Brighton 5 Court to Brighton 5 Walk. Initial reports indicated at least 3 workers trapped in a significant collapse of a five story building under construction. Being extremely far from quarters, it took Squad 252 approximately 20 minutes to get to the scene. Upon the company's arrival, Rescue Company 2 and Squad Company 1 were still actively working to free the 3rd and final worker. Members of 252 and Rescue Company 5 were ordered to the first floor to erect temporary shoring directly under the point of extrication. This was accomplished with 4x4 lumber as well as Paratech struts. Shortly after the companies arrival the 3rd victim was freed. Secondary searches followed along with selective debris removal. It has been determined that the collapse resulted from the improper pouring of the 3rd floor. One worker perished as a result of injuries sustained during the collapse.

Box 0810, 798 Knickerbocker Ave, Eldert Street to Halsey Street, was transmitted in the early morning hours for a reported fire on the second floor of a dwelling. Additional information was received en-route advising of the possibility of a woman in a wheelchair trapped in the building. Squad 252 arrived as the first due engine and transmitted the 10-75. Heavy fire was found in the rear of the second floor of a three story frame. Members stretched an 1 3/4" line to attack the fire while the truck companies conducted searches. The fire was aggressively attacked and kept to the rear of the one apartment. As truck companies opened up minor extension was found on the floor above. All other searches were negative.

Box 0812, 209 Weirfield Street, Wilson Ave to Central Ave, was transmitted for a report of a fire on the ground floor. Squad 252 was assigned as the first due engine and transmitted a 10-75 upon arrival. Heavy smoke was found pushing from the front door of a three story, brownstone type frame. Fire was found on the first floor and a line was stretched. The fire was quickly knocked down as Ladder Company 112 conducted searches and opened up. The fire was kept to the area of origin and all searches proved negative.

On Saturday September 24th Sgt Dakota Meyer, USMC visited the members of Squad Co. 252 at their firehouse in Bushwick. The company commander, Capt John Hopkins, recorded the event in the company’s official journal: “Sgt Dakota Meyer, USMC Medal of Honor Recipient enters quarters”. Sgt Meyer is the USMC’s first living Medal of Honor recipient in thirty-eight years and was awarded the medal for his courageous actions under intense hostile fire on September 8th, 2009 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. The members and officers of Squad Co. 252 are proud of Dakota and all of those who continue to serve our nation in harm’s way.

An early morning fire in a Crown Heights brownstone required the use of all hands on arrival and an extra engine and truck. Box 1613 was transmitted for a fire at 1322 Prospect Place off of Utica Ave. Squad 252 responded on the 10-75 signal. While en route the 38 battalion reported heavy fire on the 1st floor (basement) of a 3 story brownstone. Upon arrival, members of 252 were ordered into the basement to assist Engine Company 214 with the line. They had knocked down a large amount of fire and were continuing to operate on fire in the rear of the building. Additional lines were stretched to prevent extension to the upper floors. All searches proved negative.

Squad Company 252 honored their fallen brothers with a Mass in quarters during this years 10 year anniversary of September 11th. The officers and members of the company observed the four moments of silence, done every year to mark the first plane hitting the North Tower, the second plane hitting the South Tower, the collapse of the South Tower and the collapse of the North Tower.

Services were opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Welcoming remarks were made by Captain John Hopkins followed by the reading of the names of the fallen by the senior man of the company, Thomas Meehan. A Catholic Mass was performed by Father Conrad Osterhout and Brother Crispin of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, St. Crispin Friary, located in the Bronx.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Conrad and Brother Crispin as well as all of the families for sharing their day of remembrance with us. It was an honor. We all hope to continue to make you and your loved ones proud. May God bless William, Timothy, Thomas, Peter, Patrick, Tarel, and Kevin and may he continue to bless the FDNY.