How to visit a fire station in New York?

If you’re a firefighter or just love firefighting, you’ll find plenty to admire in New York. New York firefighters are widely regarded as true heroes, especially since the September 11, 2001 attacks. You’ll be impressed by their massive trucks racing through the avenues with their distinctive sirens (watch this video of a fire truck crossing Times Square). Some of you may also want to visit a firehouse. It’s possible, but there are a few rules to keep in mind.

Rules for visiting a New York firehouse

• Firehouses are not open to the public. You can only enter if a firefighter clearly invites you inside. Don’t try to slip in through an open gate—you might end up talking to the NYPD instead of firefighters.
• To visit a firehouse, politely approach the firefighter on duty and strike up a conversation. Then ask “is it possible to have a look inside?” If the garage is open, you should be able to get close to the trucks. Always ask permission before taking photos.
• If the firehouse is in the middle of an emergency call, don’t bother asking—the answer will be no. Your best chance comes when you see firefighters cleaning or organizing equipment. In other words, firehouses can only be visited during quiet periods.
• If you’re a firefighter yourself, bring your professional ID. FDNY firefighters enjoy talking with firefighters from other countries and will welcome you as a colleague. Consider bringing a patch from your department—you might be able to trade it for an FDNY patch.
• Keep this in mind: New York firefighters get many requests for visits, and some firehouses—especially the large ones in central Manhattan—stay locked tight. For the best chance of a visit, try smaller units or firehouses in upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, which see fewer tourists.

New York firehouse addresses

Ready to explore New York’s firehouses? Here are some worth visiting:

• Engine 10, Ladder 10
  Address: 124 Liberty Street
  This firehouse sits directly across from the 9/11 Memorial. It’s often closed because firefighters prefer not to be disturbed by the heavy tourist traffic in the area. Still, you can admire the striking mural of an American flag on the garage doors. On the sides, look for the massive sculpture honoring the 343 firefighters who died on September 11, 2001. A moving place.
• Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9 Time Square
  Address: 782 8th Avenue, at the corner of 8th Avenue and 48th Street
  These firefighters are used to tourists and even sell company t-shirts. This company lost 15 firefighters on September 11, 2001. A visitor noted: “They’re really friendly—we were able to visit and take photos.”
• Engine 7, Ladder 1, Battalion 1
  Address: 100 Duane Street, a short walk from the World Trade Center
  This firehouse occupies a beautiful stone building with three garages featuring bright red doors. Filmmakers Jules and Gédéon Naudet were following this company during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Engine 205, Hook & Ladder Company 118
  Address: 74 Middagh Street, Brooklyn
  Located just under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side. This firehouse lost 8 firefighters on September 11, 2001.
• Squad 1
  Address: 788 Union Street, Brooklyn
  Being in Brooklyn means you’ll avoid the tourist crowds. This small unit lost 12 firefighters on September 11, 2001—a significant portion of its workforce at the time.
• Engine 273, Ladder 129
  Address: 40-18 Union Street, Flushing neighborhood, Queens
  This firehouse has a distinctive feature: the garage doors display the colors of the Mets baseball team.
• Engine 68, Ladder 49
  Address: 1160 Ogden Avenue, the Bronx
  Another firehouse where you’ll encounter very few tourists. This company proudly supports the New York Yankees baseball team. You can talk firefighting and baseball at the same time!

Firehouses in photos