Cause for Alarm, Tracking New York's Most Serious Fires

Brought to you by CITY LIMITS Cause for Alarm The number of fire companies and chiefs who are assigned to a fire follows a system of alarms. An "all hands" fire is one at which four fire companies are working. Chiefs on the scene can arrange for more units to arrive by escalating the level of alarm. A fifth alarm, for instance, could bring 36 800 units and at least six chiefs. 600 400 200 CITYWIDE BROOKLYN BRONX MANHATTAN QUEENS STATEN ISLAND Source: FDNY Research assistance by Laura Gottesdiener All Hands 2nd Alarm 3rd Alarm 4th Alarm 5th Alarm or higher