Engine 93/Ladder 45 Celebrate 100 Years

A plaque is unveiled, which marks the 100 year anniversary of the firehouse.

Firefighters past and present gathered at Engine 93/Ladder 45 in Upper Manhattan on March 20 to celebrate the firehouse’s centennial.

“You may not wear the same clothes, listen to the same music, wear the same gear or ride the same rigs as you did 100 years ago,” Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said. “But you continue to put your lives on the line to protect this community.”

Engine 93’s original fire apparatus, which was used on the company’s first day of operation on March 20, 1913, was on display during the event.  The apparatus is on loan from the New York City Fire Museum.

Many noted that when the firehouse first started, the area was mostly farm land and sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the many high rises found in the neighborhood today.

The fire apparatus used when Engine 93/Ladder 45 first went into service 100 years ago.

Chief of Department Edward Kilduff, who worked several tours at the firehouse at the start of his career, fondly remembered the time he spent there.

“I was always learning and always laughing … that was special.”

Capt. Greg Wellbrock, Engine 93, noted that “The high standards of the early days lives on today. We’ve been there. And our pride and humility have lived on.”

Numerous retired members returned for the ceremony.

“This [ceremony] is about our past, present and future members,” Capt. Pat Gleason, Ladder 45. “And our members will strive to keep the traditions alive for the next 100 years.”