Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Fire Alarm Box Gets Cleaned Up And A Fresh Coat Of Paint With The Assistance Of FDNY And Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy - Fire Engine Red Color Restored

Image of Old Southpoint Alarm Box From Judy Berdy (RIHS)

Once upon a time there was an emergency alarm box at the entrance to Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park that was very sad because it was neglected and allowed to become dirty, overrun by weeds and in need of a fresh coat of paint.

Image of Old Southpoint Alarm Box From Judy Berdy (RIHS)

Then, one recent day, Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy, asked the FDNY for assistance cleaning up the Alarm Box. On May 6 Ms. Berdy reported:

I was looking at the old call box near Southpoint Park. With a letter and some photos to the FDNY Commisissioner a miracle happened last night. The 90+ year old box has a new lease on life!

Thanks FDNY!

Ms. Berdy With Freshly Painted and Groomed Emergency Alarm Box

The Roosevelt Island Emergency Alarm Box at Southpoint Park is now very happy.

Image From Judy Berdy of RIHS

Here's the letter RIHS President Judy Berdy sent to FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano:

Dear Commissioner Cassano,

For the 34 years I have lived on Roosevelt Island, I have admired the fire alarm box That is located on our island. A beautiful new park, Southpoint Park is now open, just in the area south of the fence where the box is located.

It would be wonderful if the box were painted and restored to its original “fire engine red” color.

I am enclosing a map, since it is difficult to give an exact street address for the box. Looking forward to the restoration of this lovely landmark.

With best wishes, I remain

Sincerely yours,

Judith Berdy President

and another before and after picture of the Alarm Box.

Images from Judy Berdy (RIHS)

More information on the Alarm Box from the NYC Fire Museum via Ms. Berdy:

Your alarm post is called a “V.R.” post and first came into use in 1930. It originally would have had a mechanical box with a crank or pull-handle, and has been retrofit with a modern electronic ERS (Emergency Reporting System) alarm box with direct vocal connections to NYPD and FDNY. Somehow over the years the base of your post has been buried with sand – perhaps the road or sidewalk was raised at some point and the road crew just filled in around the base (not uncommon). Here’s a photo so you can see what the base would look like if it wasn’t buried: http://www.flickr.com/photos/badwsky/4790776292/in/photostream/

and some general information on the FDNY Alarm Boxes also from the NYC Fire Museum:

The first boxes (and posts) were installed by the FDNY in 1870. Currently there are around 14,000 working alarm boxes in the 5 boroughs. Around 4500 are still of the mechanical "spade handle" pull type and those were installed in the 1940s. Most of the mechanical boxes are left in the fringes of the outer boroughs. The rest are of the modern ERS (Emergency Response System) type; electrical with a microphone/speaker for voice transmission and a connection to both Fire and Police. They were made by Norelco (Phillips) and first retrofit into the existing posts in 1969-1970.

It's important to separate the "post" (base) from the "box" (the mechanism). The big cast iron post with the filial on top is called a "V.F. Post", and weighs about 1200 pounds. Posts are traditionally named in honor of the Bureau Chief in charge at the time and the V.F. is named for Valentine Fendrich, the Chief of the Alarm Telegraph Bureau in the 1930s. These V.F. posts were installed in 1930. The box itself would have been of the spade handle pull type or possibly with a brass turn-handle crank. Inside was a spring-wound auto-telegraph mechanism. There would also have been a manual telegraph key inside for the responding chief to use to notify FDNY Dispatch that the companies had arrived, to call for additional units or to signal that the fire was out and the company was back in service (available).

All Manhattan boxes are ERS. When the new ERS boxes were introduced in 1969-70, the old VF posts were retrofit to accommodate them, so your box (No. 1914, Outside City Hospital, West Road) has a 1930's cast iron post with the modern electronic faceplate.

There is one alarm box on every other street corner in Manhattan, and each has a unique number. As the old VF types break (usually because a truck backs into them or they rot out at the base due to years of NYC weather and salt) the FDNY replaces them with the skinny rectangular posts that are made for the ERS style box (called O.B.'s for Chief O'Bryan, or N.J.R's for Chief Nicholas J. Reinhardt) . They don't last nearly as long but are a lot cheaper and easier to replace.

You will also notice that usually one of the street lamps near a box will have an orange light mounted on top. When the box is "pulled" that light will come on -- this helps the chauffeur of the responding fire company to quickly see from a distance which box has been pulled.

It's unfortunate that many people don't realize that these boxes, which call police as well, are still active. They exist on their own exclusive electric telephone lines and not part of any outside system. This amazing 140 year-old system provides the only secure, redundant and fool-proof form of emergency communication in New York City. However, the days of the alarm box are numbered, due to their high cost of maintenance.

A happy ending.