Firetruck Tours

21/10/2020

Update from the shop 10/21. Thanks for following us. Our 1988 Mack pumper is going into the shop as we restore it. Working on spec sheet and next steps with goal to be rolling in Brooklyn in the spring. Questions? Post them below! Thank you!

13/10/2020

Thanks everyone for sticking with us. We are making a visit to the shop very soon to check on the progress of our restoration of our Mack pumper. We expect to make progress over the coming months to get it on the road. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.

20/10/2019

Head over to Governors Island with Kevin and find out about the ghosts of Governors Island on the awesome walking tour!

Ghosts of Governors Island   Visit the secret sixth borough of New York City: Governors Island! Location of military executions (by hangman AND firing squad!), a mass grave, two abandoned cemeteries, and history galore. This is the only tour that shows you where the bodies are buried (they’re sti...

20/09/2018

1776 was the first of the "Great" fires to strike Manhattan. These ultimately led to the formation of the FDNY. The Great Fire of 1776 is one of the reasons there are no structures from the Dutch or English colonial era standing today at the foot of Manhattan (sorry Fraunces Tavern).

On September 20, 1776, following defeat at the Battle of Brooklyn and amidst British occupation, New York was devastated by a great fire. Fanned by onshore winds, it swept through lower Manhattan moved up the west side, destroying Trinity Church and, ultimately, nearly a quarter of the small city.

Learn more at our new exhibition, "The Battle of Brooklyn," open this Friday, September 23: http://ow.ly/J7JY304lOe1

Franz Xaver Habermann (1721–1796), engraved by J. Chéreau. Représentation du feu terrible à nouvelle Yorck, 1776. New-York Historical Society.

02/05/2018

Happy Anniversary to FDNY, established on this date in 1865

30/03/2018

The Celebration of Life in Washington Square Park today for FM Zanetis. RIP

24/03/2018

It's absolutely gorgeous outdoors. Perfect weather to take our history walking tour. Meet us in Madison Square Park at 10:45 at the flagstaff between 24th-25th Street. See you there!

One of the stops will be E-14. Here's a great blog post about it's architecture. http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2010/10/lebruns-1894-engine-company-no-4.html

Just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Philadelphia architect Napoleon LeBrun moved his family to New York City. LeBrun won the ...

23/03/2018

1905 horsepower. We are going to talk horses on our Saturday walking tour "Manhattan Fires from Colonial Times to Subway Disasters" meet at Madison Square Park. http://firetrucktours.nyc/event/manhattan-fires-from-colonial-times-to-subway-disasters/

23/03/2018

Rest in peace Firefighter Davidson. This has been a real tough couple of weeks for the department.

It is with deep regret that FDNY announces the death of Firefighter Michael R. Davidson. Firefighter Davidson, 37, was assigned to Engine Company 69 and bravely served the Department for 15 years. He was cited for bravery on four separate occasions. Firefighter Davidson was critically injured while fighting a 5-alarm fire in Manhattan. He was transported to Harlem Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Firefighter Davidson is survived by his wife, Eileen, and four children. He is the 1,150th member to make the Supreme Sacrifice while serving our city.

23/03/2018

DYK that 2,300 WWI veterans served in the FDNY? And that 8 died in the line of duty (2 on the same exact day). But only one was killed in combat. Find out more on our walking tour "Manhattan Fires From Colonial Times to Subway Disasters" on Saturday, March 24. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/manhattan-fires-from-colonial-times-to-subway-disasters-tickets-43103104546

22/03/2018

Saturday fire department history tour will include the 1966 Wonder Drug location on 23rd St. One of the worst tragedies for prior to . Info & tix firetrucktours.nyc

21/03/2018

Saturday is our first walking tour of the season. Come out and learn about the history of the fire department from the Colonial Era to today: the 2 guides are a city history author and an active fire officer. We will see legendary fire sites, talk about the Bravest, and explore New York history. Advance tickets recommended. http://firetrucktours.nyc/event/manhattan-fires-from-colonial-times-to-subway-disasters/?instance_id=1

Manhattan Fires from Colonial Times to Subway Disasters Saturday, March 24, 11:00 a.m. Meet at Madison Square Park flagpole, Fifth Avenue and 24th Street, Manhattan On this 2-hour walking tour from Firetruck Tours we are going to cover some of the most important fires and disasters in New Y

21/03/2018

This is the traditional bunting ceremony of the FDNY. It symbolizes that the Firehouse and the department are in mourning. Lt. Chris Raguso will be laid to rest soon.

19/03/2018

On this day Firefighter Cooney lost his life while battling a fire at the piers of Governors Island. Rest in Peace! http://firetrucktours.nyc

14/03/2018

Today is the 140th anniversary of the tragic death of Firefighter Charles Connolly of Engine 6. He died on this date in 1878, age 25.

14/03/2018

RIP brother. Another one gone too soon.

12/03/2018

The James Gordon Bennett Medal was established in 1869 and was the first decoration awarded for valor in the FDNY. It is awarded annually for the most outstanding act of heroism determined by members of the department Board of Merit. It was first awarded in 1869 to Lt Minthorne Tompkins of L-1 and Capt Benjamin Gicquel of E-9. Medal Day is in June.

09/03/2018

Sunday, March 25, we remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. On our walking tour we'll have the descendant of a fire survivor from the garment factory. Tickets available now. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legends-of-the-triangle-shirtwaist-fire-tour-tickets-43613466051?aff=erelpanelorg

One of the most tragic events in New York history, and a disaster that prompted changes in the manufacturing industry, workers rights, and firefighting practices, is the Triangle Shirtwaist fire of March 25, 1911. Now on the 107th anniversary of the fire, this tour will visit the site and follow in....

08/03/2018

Today we remember Firefighter Thomas Shortell of . He died in combat on this day 8 March 1945 while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps on Iwo Jima. His line of duty death will never be forgotten.

08/03/2018

Update & 10 more photos of our retired engine MF-8808 as we restore it and ready rig for tours http://firetrucktours.nyc/readying-the-rig-for-restoration/

Today’s update is about our rig before we took it into the shop to be renovated, where it is currently. For the first few months of ownership, the partners investigated where to have the body work and modifications done. It was winter, the weather was lousy, and we stored it outdoors at the time. ...

05/03/2018

04/03/2018

03/03/2018

News: On our Sunday, March 25 tour, we will be joined by family of a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911. Hear family stories as part of this special tour. Tickets on sale now for the anniversary tour. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legends-of-the-triangle-shirtwaist-fire-tour-tickets-43613466051?aff=erelpanelorg

One of the most tragic events in New York history, and a disaster that prompted changes in the manufacturing industry, workers rights, and firefighting practices, is the Triangle Shirtwaist fire of March 25, 1911. Now on the 107th anniversary of the fire, this tour will visit the site, observe the p...

02/03/2018

Kevin Fitzpatrick, senior guide of Firetruck Tours doing it today at Liberty Island. Come rain or shine the tour must go on!

02/03/2018

On March 1, 1905, Ladder 108 "Seigels Eagles" (Which at the time was Ladder 58 and had not been renumbered yet under the new FDNY) responded to box 231 for a fire in the Valvoline Oil Company's Plant Located at Maspeth Avenue and Newtown Creek in the borough of Queens. Assistant Foremen George F. McGeary was ordered to move L-58's apparatus as it was next to an oil tank and in danger of being destroyed. The tank suddenly exploded killing Assistant Foremen McGeary and injuring 5 other members. His official LODD is March 2, 1905.


Firetruck Tours™ combines licensed New York City Sightseeing Guides with retired and current city firefighters to give tours of the five boroughs.

01/03/2018

We have 2 walking tours this month. Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25. Come out and talk about fire department history with us going back to 1776. http://firetrucktours.nyc/history-walking-tours-in-march/

While the rig is underway and being restored (which we will be sharing more about here in the coming months) Firetruck Tours™ is going to offer walking tours. I’ve been leading walking tours since …

28/02/2018

Our new website is live. We have photos and tour information to share. Thanks for visiting! http://firetrucktours.nyc/winning-the-auction-company-starts/

In October 2015, Firetruck Tours New York won the city auction of a retired 1988 Mack pumper from the FDNY fleet. Read more about the history of our rig here. The rig had only been retired a couple…

27/02/2018

Today we remember the victims of the 1993 World Trade Center attack: John DiGiovanni, Robert Kirkpatrick, Stephen A. Knapp, William Macko, Wilfredo Mercado and Monica Rodriguez Smith, who was pregnant at the time. Today, on the 25th anniversary of the bombing, we will not let their names be overlooked or forgotten. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-world-trade-center-1993-htmlstory.html

Twenty-five years ago, a bomb ripped through an underground parking garage in New York’s Twin Towers, injuring more than 1,000 and ultimately killing six people. The attack was a precursor to the devastating attacks of 9/11, which have largely overshadowed the tragedy of 1993.