x635

I have always wondered why so many departments don't have more visual warning on the front of their apparatus. Often times, you can only see the two standard flashers in your rear view mirror, and the lightbar is often not visible or obscured. Take seeing this in your rearview mirror (I'm not picking on anyone, just an EXAMPLE) vs. seeing this: Why is this?

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1191956.html

From the Greenburgh Town Email List:

Bump. Please see above post.

It's surreal reading this. Ron just emailed me yesterday. Ron last logged onto this forum on Monday night. Member Name: "The Goon" http://www.emtbravo.net/index.php?showuser=531 My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family, freinds, and BMFD.

NO, it's not Bedford, NY but Bedford, TX....this article should just reiterate that wiring of emergency vehicles should be done by experienced professionals and that the wiring needs to be inspected on a routine basis. FULL STORY: http://www.star-telegram.com/189/story/1195667.html

From another thread: Does anyone know what Pelham Manor FD has on order? Is it new, or used like the last engine they got? If anyone doesn't feel comfortable posting but knows what the deal is, please PM the info to me and I will post it and keep your identity on the down low.

I am "WestTac1" on Firehouse.com forums, and posted the information there. No further details are available besides what's been posted here. The drawings aren't available yet, and there's nothing to photograph yet. However, as mentioned, Seagrave, the dealer, and especially the sales rep have put a lot of thougt and talent into this, and this new generation of Aerialscope will be revolutionary. Many departments will be looking at this once they actually see that it is possible....

OK, this shows how out of the loop I am. 1. Has Northern Westchester Hospital started construction on their new ER yet? 2. Has Phelps opened their new ER yet? 3. Has White Plains completed this new ER yet? 4. Will Sound Shore be redoing their ER? 5. Mount Vernon Hospital....nevermind

Just because your agency has issues with them, doesn't mean that every agency will. Many agencies are going with this chasis and have been using it succesfully, including one of the largest users, Boston EMS. Did you ask those who had them before purchasing them before your purchase? Every agency has problems with a brand, meanwhile, other agencies use the same brand with no problems. For example, many people have a negative view of Wheeled Coach. However, one of the largest EMS fleets in the world, uses them- Los Angeles City FD. They have hundreds- and are VERY demanding with what they want in an ambulance. Also, what types of problems have you been having? Were they preventable issues (i.e. overlooked during inspections, problems that are caused by drivers, etc)? Also, have you tried a different dealer to service the chasis that is familiar and factory trained on both the chasis, engine and systems?

Overall, just a cool vehicle that bravo456 from EMTBravoWest.com posted photos of over on that forum: http://www.emtbravowest.com/index.php?showtopic=1970 Plus, I figured you guys could use a photo that gave you a little respite from the snow!

I should mention, as customary, the LACoFD lifeguard divsion gets it's trucks free, in exchange for the markering value of signs and their vehicles being on a crowded beach. Previousy, their sponsor was Nissan.

In the past week, there was a fire aboard a Metro North train at the Crestwood Station i(Harlem Line) in Tuckahoe (Eastchester Fire District), and yesterday at Peekskill (on the Hudson Line). Does anybody know what type of equipment was involved, how the fire started, and how the fire was extinguished? Besides being a Metro North fan, I also think is a very hazardous situation that presents a great learning oppurtunity on here, especially if those involved give us the rundown.

Ridiculous and interesting. http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/04/amtr...you-guessed-it/

Similar to what happened to FDNY L-31 a few years back I guess...there is a photo at the link below.

Does Harrison PD also still operate a Chevrolet Avalance? Also, do they have any other SUV's in their Patrol fleet?

Great shots, thanks for sharing! If you have one that you think would make for a good feature photo on http://www.emtbravo.com, please email me at seth@emtbravo.com Also, what wrecker service is that? The drivers vest says A&P, where are they out of? I like that medium duty they have, looks brand new. With Continental Village covering that stretch of road, they could certainly justify a Heavy Rescue, LA style!!! http://www.x635photos.com/displayimage-8-29.html Or http://www.x635photos.com/displayimage-8-1.html

You're automatically a terrorist if you take photos of a train. Or in a lot of cases now, even a firetrucks. Despite the numerous images of them available in the mainstream media, etc. SOME people fail to grasp the concept that the "terrorists" can get photos of whatever they want, especially with the proliferation of cameras in a lot of tiny of mobile devices nowadays. I can completly understand the liability aspect, and there are some that ruin it for the rest of us. Whenever I photograph trains, I am usually no where near the train, that's why I have a zoom lens. There's always spots you can find to safely photograph trains. Also, I've been lucky that there are also a lot of very cool MTA, Metro North, and Port Authority Police Officers and officials who actually appreciate the hobby. I've never encountered an issue, and have even been extended some awesome oppurtunities. It just comes down to being nice and respectful, as far as the Police Officers go, they have every right to be extremly cautious.....the trains are very vital and very much a popular target as proven internationally. These guys are what can potentially prevent a massive tragedy, but there needs to be some sort of interaction between the railfan and police community so that the rules can be clear on both sides. NJMedic gave me a great oppurtunity once to see a railroad terrorism drill up close, and I learned a ton. Down here, freight trains are all over, and there are ten million places to get beautiful shots of all kinds of trains. We even have a new heavy commuter rail line opening next month running into Austin, which is the state Capitol, which will be my new project. My train photography: http://www.x635photos.com/index-6.html And BTW, lol Dan!!

FULL STORY: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/...0,4195519.story "Minute By Minute" account via Newsday: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/...0,3673566.story

Not the SCUBA units, the TAC units.

FULL STORY: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachus..._medical_calls/

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/02020...h.10410368.html

The van vs. mod discussion has been split into it's own topic as to not hijack this thread. You can find the new thread in the "Apparatus Related Discussion" forum.

I don't understand why some fire districts don't require a Type I or III ambulance for their EMS contracts? With some of the transport times in Dutchess County, as well as the calls, and safety of the crew, I'm sure a mod would be a lot better off. You can get a Type III Chevrolet/Wheeled Coach Citimedic for a good price, and they are very nice units.

I liked working in a van when I worked in Mount Vernon, I swore by them. Everything was within your reach easily and they could be manuvered through tight city streets easily. But things change, and I guess it all depends on the system.Transport times, in my system even going Priority 1 traffic to the ED can be in excess of hour. We do everything from Urban 911 to Rural 911 to critical care transfers in a single shift, and often spend 24 hours in the truck. If you have a critical care patient with a vent, pumps, etc from one of the "band aid stations" way out in rural, and I mean rural, Texas, it can be more then that. It's not comfortable going to the hospital in a van, especially if you're a larger patient or paramedic. And if I have to do an ALS job to Dallas (3 hours-Parkland Burn Center), San Antonio (Brooks Army Medical Center Burn Unit, 2 hours) or Houston/Galveston (Texas Prison Hospital 4-5 hours), or hurricane evacuations, the van is impractical and just plain uncomfortable for all those involved. Also, with all the equipment I have to carry- vent, pump, CPAP, tubings, complete set turnout gear x 2, SCBA, in addition to two sets of ALS gear, etc, the van doesn't have enough room. (We don't have stairchairs, though- and I have yet to do one job that reqiured one down here!) The cost difference is not that much between a Type II and some models of a Type III, especially considering you can get a longer lifespan out of a mod because you can remount/refurbish it. An agency like Transcare can also have a price advantage due to the amount of units they purchase. Safety wise, a mod can take an impact better then a van, and can often be repaired in situations in which a van would be considered totalled. Additionally, I find the duallies found on a mod to make the ambulance more stable in evasive manuvers and when making a side to side movement. I see where it's economical for BLS transfers and simple ALS runs in an urban and suburban enviroment. But for the reasons mentioned above, vans are becoming more and more obsolete, just like the old "Station Wagon" style ambulances did, and over the next few years you're going to see some manufacturers start to phase out Type II from their offerings, as several already have.