x635

I know that F.A.S.T. matters on this forum have been discussed extensively from all angles. But, I was thinking and have a question. BUT, let's NOT turn this into a debate on FAST team responses, etc and try to keep it to the topic on hand. Is there a County or State accreditation for F.A.S.T. teams, or can any department just make up there own rules and call themselves "F.A.S.T.", much like Rescue trucks without the rescue personel.

What exactly is an NYPD "Task Force", in terms of Manhattan South Task Force, etc. I'm assuming it's a precinct that does specific details in the named area encompassing several precincts.

Well, I finally got my photo of Wassiac's Tank 228. But I have a couple of other questions. Since I've never heard of Wassaic FD before (only thing I know is it's at the very top/end of the line for Metro North's Harlem Line in northeastern Dutchess), they must be a smaller FD. What other apparatus do they have? Are they all blue? Can anyone assist me with who the body on this tanker was made by? Also, I assume they got a new tanker? What is it? [attachmentid=2901]

Interesting.

DISCUSSION MOVED TO EMTBRAVO BOOK CLUB SECTION: http://emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=18675 The FDNY Operational Reference, 7th Edition, has now been published and is available for purchase here: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/books/bf1117.shtml I HIGHLY reccomend this book, especially if you're into FDNY. Extremly comprehensive guide, everything you ever wanted to know about FDNY! DISCUSSION MOVED TO EMTBRAVO BOOK CLUB SECTION: http://emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=18675

I'm very,very sorry that I missed this event, and some of these photo ops. Hopefully, grumpyff will share more of his photos here that he did over on Firepics...lots of local apparatus there.

The photo of this tanker was taken a while ago in CT, not Dutchess. I still can't drive and don't get out much to take photos and this one randomly appeared for me while out with Kristen.

Nice photos Nutty1! Just one observation, the hosebed is a tad high, what is the tank size?

Special thanks to mnfbhmc1 for providing this information. Definetly a great resource for the communities along the railroad line, especially those without hydrants. This is shown to all people who take the Passenger Train Rescue Class given by the County and Metro North. In Probie school, I took this class and "Spankie" said that it could respond within an hour usually and would be towed by the nearest availlable work engine, FL9/10, or Genesis. Does anyone have this in their SOP's for a general-alarm fire, or has anyone made use of this resource? PHOTO BY X635 [attachmentid=2845] Photo by me, x635 http://www.x635Photos.com

With the Excursion now gone from the Ford Lineup, leaving no diesel SUV on the market, has anyone heard what FDNY will be using for their Battalion and Division trucks? I would assume they'd have to go with gas. Also, I'm not exactly positive that the Excursion is gone. This one looks awfully like it fits in the Ford '07 model year lineup with the updated grille. http://x635photos.com/displayimage.php?pos=-954

As many of you know, I LOVE books. This past October, I aqquired a book published in 1921 entitled "What Every Firefighter Should Know" published by Fire And Water Engineering Co. of New York. Recently, I aqquired "Los Angeles City Fire Department Officers Guide" published in 1959. While browsing through both books, I noticed something. Despite all the new technology, techniques, and tatics, when you get down to the nitty gritty, the ART of firefighting hasn't changed much. Both books contain comprehensive and concise information that is still pertinent today, in fact, I find is better then some information that's put out there these days. Not only does it contain information on bread-and-butter firefighting, but it also goes into subjects that nowadays we call "Special Operations". Although "tradition" does hold us back, we can learn a lot from our past. Maybe I'll scan in some pages to give you an example in the next few days......

The Smeal dealer, New England Fire Apparatus, is in North Haven, CT (Spy shots Izzy!) so they probaly were being delivered.

So I dug out my film print photo collection today. I never really took photographing things seriously until I got my D-Reb and Canon Digital Elph. Before that, I was a horrible, horrible photographer plus I was too shy to get the shots I wanted. I want to share these shots with you, so I'll be posting them on this thread as I scan them in (over a period of several months). Most of these photos were taken somewhere between 1996 and 2000. I'll start off with this one. For like 2 days, Greenburgh PD went to new paint and lettering scheme that looked really good, then they decided to cheap out and go with a very boring striping scheme. Greenburgh used to be on the cutting edge with strobes, having the best Whelen Edge bars on any Police car in the county, before Yonkers took over with their Super Edge. I remember seeing this on a couple of their new Caprices, and the scheme was gone fast. Again, all these photos come from my PRINT collection and were scanned into the computer. All these were taken somewhere between 1996 and 2000. [attachmentid=2541]

That would be AWESOME! And not to far-fetched, although with gas prices going the way they are I doubt this would come to fruition. The Expedition was supposed to get a specially-made diesel engine when they cancelled the Excursuion, but I guess that is another Ford error. I expect them to go with a pickup, as mentioned above. But, with the mayor, I'm suprised their not going with Ford Escape Hybrids. Not that a smaller SUV is a bad idea....can get through traffic easier, eats less gas, etc. They would just need something that could take a beating. Out of curiousity, how much room does a Division or Battalion actually use out of the whole vehicle??

I'm considering subscribing to the FDNY Fire Bell Club newsletter. On their website, their sample newsletter seems very informative and interesting. Now, in 2007, is the newsletter still the same great source of information? (Besides WNYF, Fire Apparatus Journal, and the websites) Also, how do you join the Fire Bell Club? It seems they have some interesting events. What do they do? What is their function?

It's a slow process. The results usually take a while, since they have to be processed by New York State then Westchester County-the beauracrcy slows what could be an instantaeous process (like other modern tests) into a several month wait. You sometimes takes the agility before getting a canvas letter. Each muncipality is different in their hiring process. I took my agility on a 100+ degree day in August, one month before the academy started. I was interviewed the month before, got the canvas letter a month before that. I'm having some trouble remembering, but I think the last test we got the results the following October. This year, I had heard they were going with CPAT. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for the info, Ex-2114!

This is from the Los Angeles City FD Officers Guide Book, Pub. 1959, Foreword From the x635 Book Collection. [attachmentid=2882]

The former Ardsley Car 2011. A 19-something Chevrolet Suburban. After getting a new Suburban for 2011 in 1995 (currently Car 2012), this car was sold. Even after requests by the FD to keep it and assign it as Car 2012, and then a request by the PD so they'd have a 4x4 for the steep Ardsley Hills. The Village Board denied both requests, and ended up getting about $2,000 for a very well maintain and in good shape Chevrolet Suburban with 80,000 miles on it. Ticks me off. Should have been kept. [attachmentid=2881]

Route 9A by Center Street in Ardsley in the late 1970's. Flooding was a big problem in downtown Ardsley, which the Saw Mill River runs right by, until a United States Army Corps Of Engineering Project solved the issue by the early 90's. The "Westchester Garage" building is currently being used as the temporary headquarters of Ardsley FD while they await completion of their brand new firehouse on Ashford Ave. [attachmentid=2880]

Montgomery County has most recently been using Pierce, with several deliveries of Engines, Tower Laders, and Tillers.

OK, I have some more: Elmsford Quad 2, 19?? International/Oren (post-refurb-not sure of the original chasis) comes down Heatherdell Rd. at the Ardsley FD Centential/WCVFA Parade in 1996. After Quad 2 was replaced by Ladder 55, it briefly served Westchester County Fire Training Center, and after that Elmsford Water Department. I assume it has been disposed of since. The inscription on the hood reads "Work Horse". [attachmentid=2878]

I'm curious....what ever happened to the old (PRE 1996 ERGER) NYC*EMS headquarters in Maspeth, Queens? Have never even been to Maspeth, so have no idea about what this facilty was.

As tbendick mentioned, it's the small vehicles shops. My investigation has revealed the building has seen better days. It's in a very industrial part of Maspeth. Not only does it contain the light veshops, but two secured storage yards. One across the street holds new deliveries, mostly ambulances. The other yard, which is ajacent to the facilty and has a for sale sign for the property, contains all types of FDNY vehicles. For example, ambulances and fire apparatus they are disposing of, FDNY excavation equipment, special services units, and various other trucks and vehicles that make up the "hidden" fleet. FDNY definetly needs and deserves a new, modern, and central fleet compound, like the LA City shops. I'm sure the city could find the property.