Engine 303/Ladder 126 Celebrates its Centennial

It was a day to honor the past and look forward to the future on June 25 as the members of Engine 303/Ladder 126 celebrated 100 years of service to the community of South Jamaica, Queens.

During the ceremony on the companys apparatus floor, the firefighters also dedicated plaques to two firefighters from Engine 303 who have died in the line of duty.

To risk your lives to save others almost always perfect strangers that was the essence of what it took to be a firefighter 100 years ago, and that is the essence of what it takes to be a firefighter today, said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

Lt. Albert E. Donovan, who died on January 24, 1924, and Firefighter Robert Pettit, who died on December 15, 1944, each received a plaque during the ceremony.

Lt. Donovan died of a heart attack while operating at a three-alarm fire in Ozone Park.

Firefighter Pettit died near Taiwan during World War II aboard a Japanese prisoner of war ship when it was attacked by Allied airplanes during World War II.

Every one of the firefighters in this house exemplifies what this Department is all about bravery, honor and sacrifice, said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.

Dozens of past and present firefighters attended the ceremony, some traveling from as far as Florida.

Captain Richard OLeary of Ladder 126 said that in its 100 years, the neighborhood has changed, but the tradition of the firehouse has not.

He said he is proud the firehouse is one at which every FDNY firefighter wants to work.

Among them was Firefighter Daniel Hickey of Ladder 126, whose father, Battalion Chief Brian Hickey, worked at Ladder 126 for four years before making the Supreme Sacrifice on September 11, 2001, as a member of Rescue 4.

This is a great tribute, Firefighter Hickey said. A great way to honor all those who have served before us.

Firefighter Tom Gambino of Ladder 126 also lost his father, Firefighter Tom Gambino of Resuce 3, during the World Trade Center tragedy.

Two current members of Engine 303 are members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Firefighter Joseph Holtgrewe recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and Probationary Firefighter Christopher Little is currently serving there.