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From an article in the 1970 4th
Issue WNYF
By Clarence E. Meek, Hon. Asst. Chief
Chief Meek states in the article that after
some years of research and questioning of “old timers” he learned
from an old friend, the late Governor Alfred E. Smith, of the
buffalo Corps of the New York Fire Department, and for the first
time had a story which could be authenticated. Al Smith – four times
elected governor of New York State and a candidate for president in
1928 – told of his experiences as a member of the Buffalo Corps. An
informal association of youths and young men who were the pioneers
of a fraternity which gradually became know as “fire buffs.” In
those days of the great herds of buffaloes on the western plains the
name signified something in the same sense as Lions, Bears, Tigers,
etc., are the names of athletic clubs and teams. There was
evidently no particular significance in the selection of “Buffaloes”
as a name for an organization of men and boys who affiliated with
the companies of the early paid Fire Department as helpers and “go-fers.”
When Al Smith wrote his autobiography he told
of his love for the Fire department and his experience as a Buffalo.
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“After the great blizzard of 1888 the
schools were closed and there was not much for the boys to do, so I
became a volunteer worker in No. 32 Engine Company, located on John
Street. Volunteer work of that nature was agreeable to me because I
had always had a strong desire to be a fireman and I performed my
duties under what was then called the Buffalo Corps. The Buffaloes
was an order of young men interested in fire fighting and in the
glamour and excitement of the engine house.”
While a member of the Legislature and
during his terms as governor, Al Smith’s interest in firemen,
volunteer, paid and exempt never diminished and many legislative
actions benefiting firemen and fire departments were sponsored by
him. As recognition of his devotion to the F.D.N.Y., one of NYC’s
fireboats was named Governor Alfred E. Smith.
Well, finally a good authenticated reason we
are called buffs. In Shreveport when I was little they called
buffs, sweats. If you were a good sweat you had the
privilege of riding-out when the company was sent on a call. The
rest of the country term for riding-out is ride-along.
There are all kinds other terms used in
Shreveport Fire Houses that are unique. There are many that were
used back in the old days that are slowly disappearing from the
vernacular. Like when a fire was put under control the chief would
radio in to “tap the fire out.” This was because the fire alarm
operators would send out two taps on the Gamewell tape register and
big bells in the fire stations. Another term used was when a
company was put back in service they were “back on the track.” In
the old days a 2nd alarm was called a general alarm. The way
it was struck on the Gamewell was the gong would hit 2 then 2 and
then the box number. Engines and trucks would respond without being
designated by the alarm operators. Every unit knew its 1st and
2nd alarm district and would respond automatically.
One of the new terms sometimes heard is
“confirmative” instead of “affirmative.” They still use
“on-the-air” when they go out of the house and want dispatch to know
the company is in service and listening on the radio.
If you know of any unique old or new terms used
by firefighters in Shreveport please email them to us.
webmaster@signal51group.com
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