FDNY Engine 229/Ladder 146

n Street. The opening of the Williamsburg bridge in 1903 brought a large boom in population to the area and it soon became the most densely populated neighborhood in New York City. It was clear a new ladder company would be needed to keep fire protection in the area. So, on January 1, 1916, Ladder Company 146 was organized and moved into the quarters of Engine 229 on Richardson St. (Where they still both live together happily to this day.) Ladder 146 was originally a tiller truck (like most ladder companies in the city) and eventually became a tower ladder in 1972. In March of 2011 they received the newest model of tower ladders with a walk-through cab. The aftermath of September 11th shined light on a need for enhanced units in the field that could act in the absence of rescue or squad units for technical rescue or haz-mat incidents. So in 2002, L146 was designated a SOC Support company and E229 a decon engine. Members received additional training and can now start setting up an operation that normally would require a squad or rescue. Only a few of these such companies exist in each borough.