FDNY Rescue 1 - Last Run for the Pierce

New York City Fire Department Rescue Company 1 responding through Columbus Circle with the Pierce in what would turn out to be one of its last runs as the primary rig. The next morning the Pierce was taken out of service and the spare Mack put in service during the transition to the new Ferrara.

Manhattan, New York, New York, USA. 03.2012

[stevenb]

You have to remember this is New York City. This truck though 5 years old has seen roughly 20 years of service in those 5 years because it responds to so many more calls than most other fire departments, so it does wear out faster, but the city also needs to maintain a good spare fleet and these are some reasons why it was retired after 5 years.

[jazzbutterworth]

They bought it in 2006 & it went into service in January 2007. They run about 8 or so (no less) calls each day. It;s like 12, 000 calls each year so...

[irtrdavenueel]

The Pierce didn’t leave quietly though because it became the new spare rig in 2012 but Rescue 1 used a few more times when it became a spare

[bdude]

Lol the oldest truck I have in my fire co is our rescue which is 1992! But when you put it into perspective Rescue 1 runs as many calls in one day as we run in a whole month!

[Firegod]

American fire apparatus are, and always will be, the best in the world.

[bdude]

We are volunteer so It doesn't go out very often. Only when we get a rescue or a fire so pretty much whenever there is a big call lol. Were actually close by in bucks county.

[wannabenj]

It's amazing....Rescue 1 covers all of Manhattan.They should have a couple of trucks to back them up.Guess that's why they are the best

[NeilLB]

We've got a Ferrara. They can build some of the nicest, and some of the junkiest. Depends on who you are I suppose. We call our Ferrara engine the "Fiero". We all remember how wonderful the Pontiac Fiero was right?

[kurtdog]

This truck was put into service over 5 years ago, and now, they're putting the rig into reserve status, an putting their current Ferrara into service as the front line rescue rig.

[willman]

Even for a rescue this is a short life, the story I heard was that the powers that be were not fond of pierce for unknown reasons. This truck was a prototype truck not uncommon for FDNY to order a single unit for testing prior to making a large order. Pierce didn't bid on the contract for the 5 new rescues and Ferrara won it.

[Battleship]

Cool! we actually sold a 91 engine in 09. we actually donated it to the station because their first response was a modified beer truck

[Skalwoods]

PS... Philly Fire Rocks.... Visited the station by South Ave last summer.

[IengineT]

The Pierce was a from a fed grant and fdny only had 2 pierce rigs the rescue and support rig for hazmat which is being replaced w a ferrara typical life of a fdny rig is 10 to 12 years the pierce is a reserve rescue think its located in queens yard not 100% on that and all rescue companys have door open just what they do.

[codeparis]

It was put into service over 5 years ago.

[omfgCantGetaUsername]

The PFD also have reserves and backup reserves dating back to '92 as well but not that many. Lol No Rescue Co in the US other than NYC would run as many calls as they do in a day the fact they have 5 of 'em. Lol not even Chicago and LA together. Most cities only have one or two Rescues. We have a Rescue 1(Takes all calls) and Rescue 1A(Barely called) and it's to assist the other rescue when it's big call.

[PierceFan]

That is a good point. They should put the new Ferrara as a spare :)

[ZorlocMortimer]

5 years in NYC is probably like 20 years for a normal non city department running a few hundred calls a year

[thesdb-]

Sometimes they still keep it. Especially in huge cities like NY. Or they give it to small fire depts./ volunteer fire detps. somewhere in the country

[codeparis]

Rescue 1 goes out about 10 times a day in heavy Manhattan traffic. I'm surprised these rigs last as long as they do.

[SpartanML]

All the manufacturers use the same key components in their trucks so the argument of which one is better is a moot point.