Fire Fighter – America's Fireboat

Fireboat Fire Fighter Preservation Efforts are Officially Underway

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:18:00 GMT

Escorted by the United States Coast Guard, as well as local fire departments, the crew recently sailed the iconic fireboat from her home at the Mystic Seaport Museum to the Goodison Shipyard in Quonset Point, RI.

“Thousands of visitors tour Fire Fighter annually,” explains President and Director of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum Charlie Ritchie. “These much-needed renovations will enable Fire Fighter to continue operating as an important resource in educating future generations about the ship’s modern fireboat design, and the story of American firefighting.”

Capital improvements for the vessel are the result of extensive fundraising efforts. The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum, which is an all-volunteer organization, successfully secured both a generous grant from the RL Gardner Foundation of Riverhead, New York and a federal Save America’s Treasures grant.

Although preservation efforts are now underway, additional fundraising is still needed to complete the other capital improvements and to cover ongoing operational expenses . Companies within the fire protection and fire safety industry are currently being sought to underwrite the remaining costs with donations or gifts in kind. Needs include a new fire suppression system for the engine room to fight diesel and electrical fires, a ship detection system for fire, smoke, intrusion, power loss, engine room temperature high water, heating unit monitoring, and the installation of permanent deck fire capabilities. Telgian is spearheading these efforts and has donated the design of new piping for the Fire Fighter systems. Telgian Engineering & Consulting has already completed the scans and surveys of the previous water distribution system and are now providing the design and implementation required for this upgrade. This will enable Fire Fighter to continue performing her incredible water cannon displays.

“ Fire Fighter is known as America’s Fireboat and for good reason,” says Telgian CEO and Fire Fighter Board Member James W. Tomes. “ Fire Fighter protected the US during some of the most harrowing incidents in American history. And it is vital that this unique piece of American firefighting history and National Historic Landmark remain a fully operational vessel, memorial and teaching museum. Telgian is very proud to support these important restoration efforts.”

For more than seven decades, this firefighting icon safeguarded the NYC Harbor. During World War II, Fire Fighter stood ready as ammunition-laden boats left for Europe, providing courageous service on rescue missions such as the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the fire aboard the massive munitions ship El Estero . Following the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001, the fireboat was tasked with the greatest challenge of her career – pumping water from the New York Harbor after the Twin Towers collapsed and all water hydrants in the vicinity were destroyed. Fire Fighter and other FDNY Marine Units were the sole source of water for firefighting efforts at Ground Zero. And in 2009, toward the end of her active career, she even participated in the rescue of US Airways Flight 1549 passengers after its infamous emergency landing in the Hudson River.

In addition to donations, volunteers are also needed in the Quonset Point area for organizing and cleaning, polishing and painting, electrical and mechanical tasks (all tasks that do not require specialized tools and skills). To learn more about these volunteer opportunities aboard Fire Fighter , please contact Charlie Ritchie President and Director at ceritchie1@aol.com .

Fire Fighter is expected to be operational and available for your and event in Mystic, CT, Spring 2024.

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Fire Fighter Celebrates 85th Birthday at Mystic Seaport Museum Fire Fighter Festival, Aug. 26

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 16:54:00 GMT

Fire Fighter’s celebration is included in the price of admission to the Mystic Seaport Museum. All first responders will receive free admission to the event. A suggested donation of $10 will be accepted to help support Fire Fighter’s preservation efforts.

The Fire Fighter Festival static displays will include police and fire boats, antique fire trucks, hand-pumpers, and more. Guests can also look forward to thrilling active demonstrations, such as a Newfoundland dog rescue demo and water displays by Fire Fighter at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Visiting boats will join in the water displays, creating a spectacular show for all attendees. Additionally, there will be a Breeches Buoy demo, Newfoundland dog rescue demo, kids’ activities, crafts, and face painting.

Confirmed partners for the event include Mystic Fire Department, East Hampton (CT) Fire Department, East Hampton (LI) Fire Department, Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Greenport (LI) Fire Department, and Lifestar.

Fire Fighter , known as “America’s Fireboat,” has protected the United States during some of the most harrowing incidents in American history. Today, she remains a fully operational vessel, as well as a memorial and teaching museum docked at the Museum. A truly unique piece of American firefighting history, Fire Fighter is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For over seven decades, this fire service icon safeguarded the New York Harbor. During World War II, Fire Fighter stood ready as ammunition-laden boats left for Europe, providing courageous service on famous rescue missions including the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the massive munitions ship El Estero fire. Following the attack on 9/11, the fireboat was tasked with the greatest challenge of her career – pumping water from the Harbor after the Twin Towers collapsed and all water hydrants were crushed. Fire Fighter and other FDNY Marine Units were the sole source of water for firefighting efforts at Ground Zero.

Fire Fighter’s call for corporate support

As with anything 85 years young, preservation of Fire Fighter is needed. Corporations in the fire protection industry are being sought to underwrite the cost of capital improvements to preserve this national historic treasure including fire main piping design, HVAC systems, dry dock expenses, piping and more.

To learn more visit Fire Fighter’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/americasfireboat/ for regular updates and information about open volunteer opportunities, as well as special projects and events.

The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Fire Fighter as a fully operational vessel, memorial, and teaching museum. This is a volunteer organization and relies on the time, generosity, and wide expertise of the general public to help reach the goal of maintaining a truly unique piece of American maritime history.

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All Hands on Deck! Volunteers Needed for America’s Fireboat Fire Fighter

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:52:00 GMT

This is a fun opportunity for volunteers of all skill levels to learn about the history of Fire Fighter and the vital role of fireboats, while using their talents to make a real difference for this iconic piece of American history. No experience is necessary, and training will be provided. Volunteering as a group for school community service hours, or as a corporate service initiative, is encouraged.

Why volunteer for this fireboat? For over seven decades, Fire Fighter , known as “America’s Fireboat,” protected the United States during some of the most harrowing incidents in American history. During World War II, Fire Fighter stood ready as ammunition-laden boats left for Europe from New York Harbor, providing courageous service on famous rescue missions including the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the massive munitions ship El Estero fire.

Following the attack on 9/11, the fireboat was tasked with the greatest challenge of her career – pumping water from the Harbor after the Twin Towers collapsed and all water hydrants were crushed. Fire Fighter and other FDNY Marine Units were the sole source of water for firefighting efforts at Ground Zero. Throughout this longest ever emergency call, her vintage water cannons worked tirelessly pumping 24/7 for two solid weeks.

And in 2009, toward the end of her active career, Fire Fighter participated in the rescue of US Airways Flight 1549 passengers after its emergency landing in the Hudson River.

“Scouting groups, high school students, 9 / 11 survivors, maritime enthusiasts, retired professionals, teachers or anyone interested in seeing this unique piece of American history returned to her former glory are welcome to lend a hand volunteering aboard Fire Fighter ,” says Charlie Ritchie President and Director of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum.

Volunteer roles include:

Hands-on Restoration
- Includes painting, sanding, polishing, cleaning and a wide variety of other tasks for those who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves.
Docents and Tour Guides
- Engage visitors, lead tours, and share the history of Fire Fighter through guided tours aboard the ship.
Vessel Operations – Active professional mariners with valid USCG Licenses needed to assist with the underway operation of Fire Fighter.
- Marine Engineers: 500 tons and up, diesel and diesel-electric operations experience a major plus.
- Captains and Mates: 500 tons and up, Twin-screw, twin-rudder experience a major plus.
Skilled/Hands-on Restoration – Those skilled in a trade and willing to donate their time and expertise.
- Electricians, both industrial and commercial/household
- Engineers, diesel experience is a major plus
- Plumbers
- Welders

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Charlie Ritchie President and Director of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum at ceritchie1@aol.com . Visit Fire Fighter’s Facebook page for regular updates and information about open volunteer opportunities, as well as special projects and events.

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Nita Greer joins Board of Directors of The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:18:00 GMT

“We are pleased to welcome Nita Greer to the Board of Directors,” says Charles Ritchie, President and Founder of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum. “Her proven expertise will be instrumental as we continue to expand our outreach and share Fire Fighter’s incredible story.”

“It is an honor to serve on the Fire Fighter Board of Directors,” says Greer. “ Fire Fighter is a true American hero and a tangible example of the unwavering commitment and sacrifice of firefighters and fire protection professionals everywhere. I look forward to the opportunity to use my experience to help grow awareness of this iconic vessel, ensuring her preservation for the next generation.”

For over seven decades, Fire Fighter, known as “America’s Fireboat,” protected the United States during some of the most harrowing incidents in American history. During World War II, Fire Fighter stood ready as ammunition-laden boats left for Europe from New York Harbor, providing courageous service on famous rescue missions including the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the massive munitions ship El Estero fire.

Following the attack on 9/11, the fireboat was tasked with the greatest challenge of her career – pumping water from the Harbor after the Twin Towers collapsed and all water hydrants were crushed. Fire Fighter and other FDNY Marine Units were the sole source of water for firefighting efforts at Ground Zero. Throughout this longest ever emergency call , her vintage water cannons worked tirelessly pumping 24/7 for two solid weeks.

In 2009, toward the end of her active career, Fire Fighter participated in the rescue of US Airways Flight 1549 passengers after its emergency landing in the Hudson River.

Fire Fighter was designed by celebrated naval architect William Francis Gibbs in 1938 and gained rapid acclaim as a modern engineering marvel. Capable of pumping an astonishing 20,000 gallons of water per minute to nine topside fire monitors, she was powered by one of the first diesel-electric power plants ever installed in a fireboat. Her design was so cutting-edge and performance so impressive, that during her entire 72-year active career, Fire Fighter remained in virtually unchanged operational condition. She has outlasted all of her fireboat contemporaries and even the majority of the FDNY fireboats half her age.

Fire Fighter was decommissioned in 2010 and today is designated as a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She is currently docked at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT, and is available for tours, school trips and corporate events as a fully operational vessel, memorial and teaching museum. To preserve the fireboat’s incredible legacy, the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum is a 501c3 non-profit, volunteer organization which relies on financial contributions from corporate sponsors, as well as the general public.

For more information click to contact the fireboat Fire Fighter Museum .

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Featured in Boston Magazine

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:28:00 GMT

Click here to view the Featured Boston Magazine Article

“Fire Fighter is the most award-decorated fireboat in the world and a true embodiment of the commitment and sacrifice of firefighters and fire protection professionals across the nation,” Telgian president and CEO James Tomes says in a statement. Tomes serves on The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum Board of Directors. “The opportunity to show off the legendary power of the Fire Fighter through its water display in the Boston Harbor will help grow visibility for this historic vessel and also raise awareness for the preservation of this truly unique piece of American maritime history.”

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Did you know?

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:48:00 GMT

Fireboat Fire Fighter fully involved at a Brooklyn pier fire and massive explosion December 3 1956. Photo courtesy of The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum

In yet another cool thing happening on the water this summer, keep your eyes peeled for a “water cannon display.”

Read the full story here:

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2022/06/01/fire-boat-boston-harbor/

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America’s Fireboat to make a splash in Boston Harbor

Wed, 18 May 2022 19:32:00 GMT

www.americasfireboat.org/calendar

Telgian is bringing Fire Fighter to Boston to help drive awareness for the fireboat as well as raise funds to preserve the vessel.

Moakley Courhouse Dock poster

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Telgian CEO James Tomes joins the board

Wed, 04 May 2022 16:11:00 GMT

Telgian President & CEO James Tomes Named to the Board of Directors of The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Fire Fighter Board of Directors,” says Tomes. “The Fire Fighter is the most award-decorated fireboat in the world and a true embodiment of the commitment and sacrifice of firefighters and fire protection professionals across the nation.”

Designed by renowned naval architect William Francis Gibbs in 1938, Fire Fighter was considered a modern engineering marvel, capable of pumping 20,000 gallons of water per minute to nine topside fire monitors and powered by one of the first diesel-electric powerplants ever fitted to a vessel of her size. Her design was so advanced and performance so impressive, in fact, that throughout her entire 72-year active career, Fire Fighter remained in an essentially unchanged operational condition, outlasting all of her contemporaries and even the majority of the FDNY fireboats half her age.

Decommissioned in 2010, today The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the fireboat as a fully operational vessel, memorial, and teaching museum. As a longtime leader in the fire and life safety industry, Tomes is committed to the preservation of this heroic vessel which is a maritime icon within the fire service industry.

“I look forward to the opportunity to offer my experience and insight to contribute to the Fire Fighter by growing visibility for the historic ship and raising awareness of the need for the preservation of this truly unique piece of American maritime history,” says Tomes.

Tomes’s fire protection roots run deep. As President and CEO of Telgian Holdings, Inc., Tomes has been responsible for the fire protection industry-leading company’s success since 1999. And, as a force for positive change within the fire protection industry for decades, he has also served on multiple National Fire Protection Association global code development committees. In addition to the Fire Fighter Board of Directors, Tomes is active in an advisory capacity for numerous organizations including the Arizona Sustainability Alliance Board of Directors, Greater Phoenix Chamber Board of Directors, Arizona Bank & Trust Advisory Board, the San Diego Military Advisory Council, the San Diego Naval Medical Center Surf Clinic, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, among others.

“We are pleased to offer a warm welcome to James Tomes, as the newest member of the Board of Directors,” says Charles Ritchie, President & Founder of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum . “Our Board consists of an incredible group of talented individuals who are truly dedicated to the Fire Fighter mission. Jim’s enthusiasm and energy, coupled with considerable knowledge and expertise in the field of fire protection, will be instrumental as we continue our work together to preserve the Fire Fighter as a memorial and teaching museum.”

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About Telgian Holdings, Inc.

Telgian has been keeping people and facilities safe from fire and other disasters since 1985.

Telgian is trusted around the globe as a single-source solution for fire protection, life safety and security services. Partnering with clients across a wide variety of industries, Telgian provides innovative solutions that reduce exposure to loss from fire and other disasters. Staffed with some of the most knowledgeable experts in the industry, Telgian offers C-suite risk management guidance and can take a building project from site evaluation through design, to engineering and construction, as well as perform ongoing inspections and maintenance for the life of a facility. This results in productive, profitable environments that keep facilities of all types safe and compliant.

The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona with regional offices across the nation and throughout Latin America. This national and international coverage ensures that stakeholders with multiple locations across diverse areas can be assured of consistency and an exceptional level of safety protection for all of their buildings. The company services approximately 50,000 locations annually. https://telgian.com

About the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum

The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Fire Fighter as a fully operational vessel, memorial, and teaching museum. This is a 100% volunteer organization and relies on the time, generosity, and wide expertise of the general public to help reach the goal of maintaining a truly unique piece of American maritime history. http://americasfireboat.org/

For media inquiries, please contact Susan McNeill, smcneill@telgian.com .

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August 17th-September 19th – Mystic Seaport Museum

Sat, 28 Sep 2019 23:59:00 GMT

We originally were drawn to the seaport for the annual Antique Marine Engine Exhibition, and the folks at Mystic though it was a natural fit for our unique power plant, and many visitors, buffs and seaport staff greeted us with genuine respect and admiration. Afterwards though, the Fighter seemed to fit in as a natural part of the collection and many visitors were drawn to her – standing out amongst other National Landmark ships and exhibits…so much so that nearly 10,400 people visited for a free tour during the one month stay (4500 in New London) and we got to be present for the re-launching of the Mayflower II which drew even more people to the fireboat that weekend.

On September 11th, we moderated a film showing of “Fireboats of 9/11” in the Seaport’s Mason Room, to 40 visitors who asked questions and again thanked us fro bringing such a treasure of a vessel to be in Mystic on this most solemn day. …many people came down that day just to be on the decks of hero ship. In summary, our visit to Mystic allowed us to make new friends at the museum, the town, and many from out of state and other countries. And to top it off we enrolled a few more volunteers too…they loved us and we loved it there.

Thank You Mystic, Mystic Seaport and all our new volunteers and friends….we will see you soon, and every year we get better, so watch for that shiny fireboat coming up the river…we will be sure to blow our horn to let you know we are back!

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August 27, 2019 – New London

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 21:46:00 GMT

Recently we were invited in New London for an extended stay and to be on duty as a dockside attraction. Also, we did a water display for the folks attending the annual SailFest event and stayed on until August 17th for several events , but the highlight for us was being docked next to America’s Tall SHIp the USCG Barque EAGLE. It was such a sight being parked right next to her, and so the many people who visited the EAGLE, came across the dock to visit America’s Fireboat – Fire Fighter. Our stay in New London brought in over 5000 visitors and a very welcoming city and its citizens. We look to return to New London some day soon and visit with the cadets and the EAGLE again.

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Fireboat Fire Fighter is turning 80!

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:26:00 GMT

Always stay up to date with the latest news and events on the Fire Fighter on our Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/friendsoffirefighter

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Announcing New Fire Fighter Video

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 21:06:00 GMT

Watch a new short video about the efforts to save Fire Fighter – America’s Fireboat , narrated by Charles Osgood and directed by Noah Therrien. Watch and listen to our all-volunteer team who are trying to save this important vessel. Find out what you can do!

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Holidays on Fire Fighter

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:33:00 GMT

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Fire Fighter Rededication

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 14:11:00 GMT

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Join Us on Sept. 11 at the Shelter Island Library

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 01:02:00 GMT

Friday Night Dialogues at the Shelter Island Library

The Shelter Island Library is located at 37 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, New York.
Telephone: 631-749-0042

Admission is free.

We hope to see you for a panel discussion moderated by Judy Hole, trustee of the Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum, a viewing of The Fireboats of 9-11 , and a sneak peak of the new museum video.

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Fire Fighter Wins National Maritime Heritage Grant

Tue, 05 May 2015 20:23:00 GMT

Read the press release .

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