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New York firefighters guests of Mid-county’s Station No. 43 PFB
D. K. VINSON
FOR THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| (From left) Station No. 43 PFB Captain Ron Raschio with Portland City Commissioner Jim Francesconi, Bob Woolington Engine Co. 14 PFB, and Stan Jessemine Engine Company 7 FDNY (located six blocks from the World Trade Center), at the Rogue Ales House reception in June. |
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| Photos by Tim Curran |
On June 7, Portland Fire Station No. 43 at Northeast 133rd Avenue and San Rafael Street played dinner hosts to visiting firefighters from New York Engine Company 306.
The honored New York firefighters, in a celebration both ancient and modern, were presented a sumptuous banquet. A barbecue featuring salmon, halibut and steaks measured out but a teardrop in an ocean of thanks.
Ron Ingemunson, who proudly served 14 years at Station No. 43, and recently retired from the Portland Fire Bureau, arranged the visit. Ingemunson has made three trips since Sept. 11 to Engine Company 306. Specifically, the men and women serve in the Bayside area of the borough of Queens in New York City.
The shared sense of healing through tragedy and loss by firefighters nationwide prompted Ingemunson to go to New York to offer his assistance wherever needed. Because of the tremendous loss suffered by the Fire Department of New York, now known throughout the world as the FDNY, Ingemunson’s chief role in New York became that of mourner. He attended funerals for those lost on Sept. 11 representing not only himself and the Portland Fire Bureau, but also the broader band of brothers and sisters of firefighters. As a result, “Ingy,” as his friends call him, has developed a close relationship with the firefighters of Engine Company 306, also known as the Bayside Bulls.
Because of Ingemunson’s compassion and commitment, Robert Reichardt of Engine 306 called Ron, “the greatest guy in the world” and was among a handful of firefighters who paid their own way to Portland as a show of respect and gratitude. At the Friday evening barbeque, Station No. 43 was presented with a piece of debris salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage.
In March of this year, Ingemunson lead a group of Portland firefighters to New York City. Among them was Lt. Dennis O’Grady of Station No. 43. O’Grady had the privilege of bunking at Engine Company 306 during his stay and the honor of marching with that Company in the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan. A significant moment for O’Grady during the parade occurred on Fifth Avenue and 56th Street. The contingent halted, turned around to face the site of the World Trade Centers, and observed a moment of silence before continuing
“Everyone was absolutely silent, said O’Grady, “even the crowd. It sent chills up my spine.” The Portland Fire Bureau’s Station No. 43 contingent so enjoyed marching in the St Patrick’s Day Parade, they told their New York counterparts about the Rose Festival Parade in June in Portland. As a result, a 16-member group representing the FDNY arrived the Friday. before the Grand Floral Parade.
They were greeted warmly upon their arrival at Portland International Airport by a group of local firefighters. Kevin Rooney, of Engine 306, reported that when other travelers at the airport became aware of who they were, the visiting firefighters were asked for autographs. Lt. Tom Wojcik, also of Engine 306, said the group welcomed the attention from Portlanders, as they are considered “just guys again” back in New York City.
| Portland Fire Bureau Statistic as compared to FDNY | ||
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| Portland | New York City | |
| Population Served | 531,600 | 8,008,278 |
| Area Served | 149.5 square miles | 321.8 square miles |
| Firefighters | 662 | 11,495 |
| Engine Companies | 28 | 204 |
| Ladder Companies | 9 | 143 |
| Total Incident Responses | 59,652 | 449,296 |
| Fire Incidents | 2790 | 60,339 |
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| The above statistics are for Fiscal Year 2000-01. Portland statistics are from Portland Fire and Rescue Website (www.fire.ci.portland.or.us), Bureau Reports and Statistics. New York statistics are from the Official New York City Web site (www.nyc.gov/fdny), Fire Commissioner’s report. |
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