FULLY INVOLVED FRAME IN EAST NEW YORK Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - Squad 252 responded to fill the 10-75 at Box 1878, 82 Milford Street, Atlantic Ave to Liberty Ave, in the East New York section of Brooklyn.  First due companies found a two story vacant frame fully involved upon their arrival.  As they arrived at the box Squad 252 was ordered to assist truck companies on the top floor of Exposure 2, a two story similar attached.  Fire was found in the cockloft of the building and a second alarm was transmitted.  Squad 252 along with the trucks continued opening up as the engines knocked down heavy fire above.

SQUAD COMPANY 252 MOURNS THE LOSS OF RETIRED MEMBER MICHAEL FRANCIS LaROSA Monday, July 14, 2008 - It is with deep regret and sorrow that we announce the passing of retired member Michael Francis LaRosa which occurred on Sunday, July 13, 2008. Mike, or “LA” as he was affectionately known around the firehouse, started his career with the New York City Fire Department as a member of Engine Company 252. On July 1, 1998 he became a charter member of Squad Company 252 and continued to proudly serve the people of New York from Central Ave until his retirement in 2003. LA was not only a great fireman but also kept life around the firehouse interesting to say the least. He was always quick with a joke or prank and knew how to make you laugh. He will be sorely missed.   The funeral will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008 in the Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home, Route 690 and First Street, Spring Brook Township, PA. All members interested in attending please meet at the firehouse in Class A uniform at 12:00pm. The bus will be leaving shortly after. Click on the link for the official announcement and to sign the guestbook: http://www.legacy.com/TheTimesTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=113427722       Michael LaRosa, "LA"     LA And Other Members At A Job (Mike is on the far left)

SUNDAY MORNING 2ND Sunday, July 13, 2008 - The Brooklyn communications office assigned Squad 252 to Box 0129, 20 Marcy Ave, Metropolitan Ave to Hope Street, after receiving numerous phone calls for a fire in a commercial laundry and dry cleaners. A 10-75 was quickly transmitted for a fire in a one story commercial building. Due to the volume of fire throughout the building a 2nd Alarm was transmitted and an exterior attack was ordered. Squad 252 was assigned to the exposure 2 building to evaluate the fire building from the roof. After most of the fire was knocked down by the tower ladders, members were ordered inside to check the stability of the structure as well as extinguish pockets of fire.

2ND ALARM IN EAST NEW YORK Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - While returning from a 10-75 in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, Squad 252 was assigned to a 10-75 in the East New section. Box 2055, 281 Vermont Street, Pitkin Ave to Glenmore Ave, was transmitted for a fire in a private dwelling. First due units reported a fire in the basement which had auto exposed to the building’s siding and was involving the back of the house. Due to exposure problems the battalion chief transmitted a second alarm. Upon arrival Squad 252 was order to exposure 2 to check for extension. All searches proved negative and the fire was contained to the basement and exterior siding.

SECOND FIRST DUE JOB IN AS MANY WEEKS Monday, July 7, 2008 - Squad 252 responded as the first due engine to Box 0808, 708 Knickerbocker Ave, Jefferson Ave to Cornelia Street, for a fire reported on the 1st floor of a multiple dwelling. Although normally second due to this box, Squad 252 was first due because the regularly assigned first due engine was at medicals. Upon arrival a 10-75 was transmitted for a fire on the 1st floor of a three story old law tenement. As Squad 252 was stretching a line occupants reported a child trapped inside the front of the fire apartment. Fire was found in a middle bedroom of a railroad flat style apartment. As Squad began knocking down the fire the first due truck company made their way past the fire to the child. The boy was removed to the street and immediately transported to the hospital by FDNY EMS with second degree burns over 70% of his body. He is expected to recover from his injuries. This story gained local media attention after it was determined that the child had threatened his grandmother with burning down the apartment and had in fact set the fire.       Front Of The Fire Building     Squad 252 Back-step

CLOSE SQUAD BOX Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Squad 252 responded to fill the 10-75 at Box 0858, 371 Marion Street, Saratoga Ave to Thomas Boyland Street, just outside of our third due engine response area. While responding, Brooklyn advised units of reports of people trapped. Upon arrival Squad members went to work according to their positions and assisted companies with primary searches throughout the building. While a 10-45 (victim) was being removed from the 1st floor by first due companies, members helped occupants off of fire escapes. The fire was located on the 2nd floor of a three story old law tenement.

SQUAD COMPANY 252 CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF SERVICE Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Squad Company 252 celebrated 10 years of service today, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. 10 years ago the New York City Fire Department re-instituted the Squad concept in an effort to establish additional special trained units to respond to hazardous material/technical rescue incidents and fires throughout the City. Engine Company 252 was re-organized as Squad Company 252 on July 1, 1998. Overall 252 as a company has been in service on Central Ave for the last 111 years (Org. April 1, 1897). We continue to proudly serve the City of New York from Bushwick, Brooklyn. In the margin of this homepage you will notice the "Founding Members of Squad Company 252." These are the original officers and members of the Squad when it opened on July 1, 1998. During the transition these men maintained the traditions of Engine Company 252 while establishing the new traditions of Squad Company 252 that we know today. Five of them, as well as Lt. Timothy Higgins, continued Squad 252's tradition of excellence as they responded to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. May they always rest in peace. The company will be officially celebrating its 10 year anniversary at this years Dinner Dance. It will take place on Friday, October 24, 2008 at Danford's on the Sound in Port Jefferson, Long Island. All members of Squad Company 252, past and present, should look for invitations around the end of August.

FIRST DUE SECOND ALARM Monday, June 30, 2008 - Squad 252 responded as the first due engine to a reported store fire 3 blocks from the firehouse. A 10-75 was quickly transmitted for Box 0819, Halsey Street and Central Ave. A heavy smoke condition was evident upon arrival. As 252 stretched the first line, first due truck comapnies began forcing the gates. Most of the fire was contained to the front of the store and was quickly knocked down. Due to a heavy smoke condition intitially venting from the basement a 2nd Alarm was transmitted.       Corner Fire Building     Squad 252 Members Taking Up Hose

GREENPOINT STORE FIRE Saturday, June 28, 2008 - Squad Company 252 responded to fill the 10-75 at Box 0042, 903 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint Ave to Kent Ave, in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Upon arrival the chief ordered the company to the basement to check for extension. After determining the basement was clear, command sent 252 to the floor above to assist companies in secondary searches. Slight extension was found in the floor boards on the second floor. The fire building was a four story old law tenement with a store on the first floor. The fire originated in the store.

3RD ALARM DURING FIRST HEAT WAVE OF THE SUMMER Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - As temperatures held steady in the high 90's during New York City's first heat wave of the summer Squad Company 252 was assigned to a 10-75 in the East New York section of Brooklyn for a fire in a laundromat. As Squad was enroute the battalion quickly requested an extra engine and truck above the all hands for fire through the roof of a one story commercial (taxpayer). Upon their arrival to Box 1926, 2090 Linden Blvd, Hendrix Street to Van Siclen Ave, 252 was order to assist companies in the exposure buildings with opening up. Heavy fire was found throughout the cockloft of both the exposure 2 and 4 buildings and a 2nd Alarm was transmitted. Conditions were punishing as companies worked to open up the high ceiling of the attached stores. Due to a collapse in the original fire building, tower ladders were put into operation. All companies were eventually withdrawn from the exposures and a 3rd Alarm was transmitted due to the weather and the extent of the fire.

OUTSIDE RUBBISH EXTENDS TO BUILDING Friday, June 6, 2008 - Squad Company 252 was special called to box 0263, 294 Powers Street, Judge Street to Oliver Street, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn for a structural fire. First due companies were originally dispatched for an outside rubbish fire. Upon their arrival a 10-75 was transmitted due to extension to the buidling. The fire had spread to the vinyl siding of row-frame and quickly involved the entire outside of the structure. Squad 252 conducted secondary searches as well as checked the exposures for fire. All searches proved negative.

SQUAD 252 RESPONDS TO 10-75 WHILE GETTING THE MEAL Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Box 4954, 62-07 Myrtle Ave, 64th Street to Central Ave, was transmitted for a reported fire in a multiple dwelling in apartment 2L on the second floor. First due units found a two story light commercial building with heavy smoke coming from the second floor. A 10-75 was tansmitted which assigned Squad 252 and Rescue 4 to the box. Squad 252 happened to be getting the meal for the night tour and was in close proximity to the job. Upon their arrival, Squad 252 went to their assigned positions and assisted first due companies with opening up and searches. The fire was quickly knocked down and all searches proved negative.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RESPONSE TO JFK AIRPORT Thursday, April 24, 2008 - Just before the change of tours Squad 252 received an unusual run to John F Kennedy Airport as a Hazardous Material Unit. JFK falls within the response area of Squad Company 270, however, they were operating at another box when Box 0302 was transmitted for a fire in a generator on airport property. First due units found a large generator on fire and leaking oil. Squad 252 responded with their second piece and stood-by as Haz-Mat Company 1 and other units used a special extinguishing agent to suppress the fire.       Squad Company 252 and Second Piece With Port Authority Crash Truck In The Background     The Fire Involved One Of The Large Generators On The Other Side of the Wall

CHILD STUCK IN A SWING Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - Squad 252 responded with Ladder Company 112 to Box 0812 at the corner of Halsey Street and Wilson Ave for a reported 8 year old stuck in a swing. Upon arrival they found a child who had become wedged in a plastic swing. Using a rebar-cutter and pneumatic sawzall, along with an axe and wodden chock to protect the child, they successfully extricated the child.

3RD ALARM IN A CHURCH Monday, April 14, 2008 - Squad 252 was called to fill the 10-75 for fire in the basement of a church at Box 0781, 75 Lewis Ave, Wlilloughby Ave to Hart Street. The building was a 200x200, four story, balloon frame church. As companies were aggressively attacking the fire in the basement, Command ordered the members of Squad 252 to assist companies on the floor above in opening up. Due to the construction, fire was found in various areas throughtout the 1st and 2nd floors. At the height of the alarm there were several lines in operation and a 3rd Alarm was transmitted.