Contrary to popular belief, "Mutual Aid" to, or from, the FDNY is rare, if ever.
The last time I remember anything close to mutual aid from NYC was, I believe, before the WTC. Yonkers (a paid FD) had a fire in an H-type multiple dwelling one or two blocks north of the Bronx/Yonkers line. Yonkers transmitted a 3rd Alarm, which resulted in a serious water problem at the scene. Yonkers requested that the FDNY have companies respond and hook up to a hydrant or hydrants just south of the city line, and supply Yonkers with water using LDH, which they did. At some point, and, most likely, as an afterthought, the FDNY companies operated in the fire building, perhaps in a "relief" capacity.
While out-of-town FDs initially responded to the WTC, the FDNY did NOT request them. One story was that the Newark, NJ, FD showed up and reported to the FDNY chief in command. The NY chief asked Newark who called them to the scene. It was reported that the Port Authority, a bi-state, NY/NJ government agency, who owned the WTC, established some type of 'mutual aid' with NJ at that point and requested those companies to respond. Since the FDNY did not request them (and didn't want them) the FDNY chief told the Newark companies (who didn't want to be there) to "take up" and return to NJ.
Many Volunteer FDs responded to various NYC firehouses, but, again, they weren't requested by the FDNY. Some FDs were 'staged' at the Javits Convention Center, but were never mobilized.
Obviously, with 197 Engine companies and 143 Ladder companies citywide, there's really no need to seek mutual aid FROM Long Island, which is predominantly volunteer FDs.
The last time I remember anything close to mutual aid from NYC was, I believe, before the WTC. Yonkers (a paid FD) had a fire in an H-type multiple dwelling one or two blocks north of the Bronx/Yonkers line. Yonkers transmitted a 3rd Alarm, which resulted in a serious water problem at the scene. Yonkers requested that the FDNY have companies respond and hook up to a hydrant or hydrants just south of the city line, and supply Yonkers with water using LDH, which they did. At some point, and, most likely, as an afterthought, the FDNY companies operated in the fire building, perhaps in a "relief" capacity.
While out-of-town FDs initially responded to the WTC, the FDNY did NOT request them. One story was that the Newark, NJ, FD showed up and reported to the FDNY chief in command. The NY chief asked Newark who called them to the scene. It was reported that the Port Authority, a bi-state, NY/NJ government agency, who owned the WTC, established some type of 'mutual aid' with NJ at that point and requested those companies to respond. Since the FDNY did not request them (and didn't want them) the FDNY chief told the Newark companies (who didn't want to be there) to "take up" and return to NJ.
Many Volunteer FDs responded to various NYC firehouses, but, again, they weren't requested by the FDNY. Some FDs were 'staged' at the Javits Convention Center, but were never mobilized.
Obviously, with 197 Engine companies and 143 Ladder companies citywide, there's really no need to seek mutual aid FROM Long Island, which is predominantly volunteer FDs.
