Engine 46 was organized on January 21, 1895, at Otsego and Reed Streets. In 1900 Otsego Street was renamed Water Street. The company was disbanded on April 7, 1957. Engine 53 moved into the station the same day Engine 46 was disbanded. This move was made to facilitate the renovation of Engine 53’s firehouse on Snyder Avenue. The station was closed permanently on December 18, 1957, when Engine 53 returned to their station upon completion of the renovations.
The company relocation survey of 1959 stated there was adequate fire protection in the area of Engines 18 and 36 at that time. However, as the area is developed, consideration should be given to placing an engine company in service in the area of Frankford and Linden Avenues. On June 29, 1966 Engine 46 was reorganized in a new station at Frankford and Linden Avenues. Battalion 13 was placed in service Thursday, October 5, 1967, at 1230 pm in Engine 46’s station. The following chiefs were assigned:
A Platoon – Joseph Fortunato
B Platoon – William Frey
C Platoon – Joseph Donahue
The battalion was composed of the following companies:
Engines 18, 22, 46, 58, 62 Ladders 31, 34 Rescue 6
Medic 49 was placed in service February 25, 2008.
These companies continue to serve that section of Northeast Philadelphia from the Linden Avenue firehouse.
The firehouse at Water and Reed Streets still stands. At one time it housed a restaurant but it sits now vacant.
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Ever wonder why the new fire station at Frankford & Linden Aves. in the Far Northeast was designated Engine 46 when it was opened on June 29, 1966? Instead of Engine 15, or 23, or 48, or 74. Well, either Commissioner James J McCarey(then Fire Commissioner) had the idea or the upper echelon of the fire department decided to honor the Commissioner by naming it Engine 46. That is where Commissioner McCarey was assigned at Water & Reed Sts. in South Philadelphia when he was promoted to Captain on January 11, 1950 as he advanced his way through the fire department.
In Philly, two-piece engine companies existed from the inception of the paid department in 1871 until the mid 20th Century. Generally, on fire responses, the hose wagon with most of the members aboard would go to the fire building while the pumper with 2 members would go to the nearest or nearby hydrant. The pumper would hook-up to the hydrant and supply hose laid by the hose wagon with water. With this bit of background, I’ll pass along a story told to me by Bill Kinee, fellow fire dispatcher and former member of Engine 46. On December 28, 1956 around 10:30am, Engine 46 in South Philly responded on the 4th alarm to which turned out to be a 9-alarm fire at the 4 story, I. Press Building on the N.W cor. of 8th & Chestnut Sts. in Center City. Upon arrival on the fireground, driving the pumper, Bill was instructed to go down Chestnut St.to find and hook-up to a hydrant as was custom. However, the first open hydrant(one not already occupied with a pumper) he could find was at 3rd & Chestnut, 5 blocks away. He hooked-up his 1945 American LaFrance 750 gpm pumper and stood-by at least 5 hours for usage which never came. An example of how a fireman could go to an extra-alarm fire and not be able to see the fire building and participate in active firefighting.
1963 I was appointed to inch and 55 at front luzerne I retired in 1990 I have been retired 32 years my dad was a firefighter before me his name was Rocco rochetti my name is Richard richetti I remember those days well
Can someone tell me what was at Otsego and reed before fire station