Roosevelt (Welfare) Island - A Training Ground For FDNY Before Manhattan Park and Motorgate Garage

Image from Roosevelt Island Historical Society via NYCFire.net

Before Manhattan Park and the Motorgate Parking Garage were built, this is what that area of Roosevelt Island looked like.

From NYCFire:

In 1960 the FDNY Division of Training was created and a new training center was completed on Welfare Island in 1963.

The training center was located on what is now Motorgate and Manhattan Park.

The Training Center to relocate to Randall's Island in 1973.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society has more interesting photos of FDNY training site on Welfare (now Roosevelt) Island.

Here is a FDNY history of its training program:

The evolution of the present Bureau of Training began in 1869, just four years after the New York City Fire Department was founded as a paid force. The Board of Metropolitan Fire Commissioners, headed by General Alexander Shaler established an "Officers School" and wrote a "Manual of Instruction" for the commanding officers of engine and hook and ladder companies.

UPDATE: 7/21 - According to Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy:

The building south of the bridge is the old neurological hospital. It was shaped like an H with operating rooms in the center. North of the bridge are the old fire dept training center with the "smoke house".