Flushing Firehouse Marks Its Lucky Centennial

For the Chinese, the number eight is a lucky one, as its sound resembles the word for fortune. So it is all the more auspicious that 2008 marks the centennial year of the firehouse serving central Flushing, the Queens neighborhood that is one of the main hubs of the city's Asian-American population.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane 100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT: Uniformed Firefighters Association Recording Secretary Joseph Miccio (second from left) presents fire officers and union delegates at Engine 273/Ladder 129 in Flushing with a recognition-of-service plaque Oct. 22. The companies celebrated their 100th anniversary and memorialized two members killed in the line of duty.

Engine Company 273 and Ladder Company 129 celebrated their 100th anniversary Oct. 22 with a plaque dedication for two Firefighters killed in the line of duty: Ernest Mattes, who died in 1935, and Richard Schultz, a 1959 casualty. Firehouse officers noted that when company members researched the two Firefighters in anticipation of last week's ceremony, they learned that the two fallen members had never been given special recognition.

'A Fun Group'

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta highlighted the companies' rescue of a kitten 13 years ago, which they adopted as a still-present firehouse pet. Flushing Councilman John Liu joined in the sentiment, saying that the firehouse members performed diligently while "not taking themselves too seriously."

He added, "This is a really fun group here."

Councilman Liu said the firehouse had a special place in his childhood, as he and two of his fellow second-graders used to visit after school for a glimpse of the firefighters.

"We used to hang out here, at this Long Island Rail Road overpass, watching the trains go by and hoping and praying that these doors would open so we could see some firefighters and maybe a fire truck or two," he said.

Long Way From Rural Origins

Elected officials and Fire Department Chiefs noted that the firehouse in the last century has adapted to the changing nature of the neighborhood, which was originally a rural area that has since became of bustling center of commerce and a densely populated immigrant community.

Representatives of the Flushing Chinese Business Association were also present at the ceremony. The group gave the firehouse a $10,000 donation this year.

Wearing his Fire Department ceremonial outfit, Uniformed Firefighters Association Recording Secretary Joseph Miccio presented service awards to the firehouse's union delegates.

"It takes a special group to be serving the community as one every time a bell goes off and they go out that door, protecting lives and helping people," he said.