x635

This is only a part of a a really neat, unique display at a house in Hartsdale..... [attachmentid=1795]

Date: 12-22-06 Time: 0736hrs Location: Saw Mill River Parkway Southbound @ I-87 (Irvington) Frequency: Units Operating: E177, R49, 220?, Irvington VAC, Greenburgh PD*EMS ALS, Westchester County PD Sam 1 Description Of Incident: Motorist witness a car stike a guardrail, parked his vehicle and got out to assist other motorist, and was himself struck by another vehicle, which then struck his car. Shortly thereafter, there was another MVA in the immediate area of the accident scene. Writer: x635

Date: 12-22-06 Time: 1235hrs Location: Wheeler Ave/Tompkins Ave Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: E260, E259, R47, TL5, C2371, Pleasantville PD Description Of Incident: Oxygen tank leaking next to flammable liquid tank up against building. Writer: x635 1237: 2371 on scene, establishing Tompkins command 1238: 2371 requesting Westchester County Hazmat Team. Precautionary lines stretched. 1400: 2371 reports hazard mitigated, all units in the process of picking up

That's it? I wonder when my LA City ALF tiller will be released? Still, a nice piece that I will add to my collection.

VERY exciting news, and is going to make riding Metro-North even easier for those who want to go down to the city, or even now Long Island!

These comments are in regards to those who are in OUR business and what was mentioned at the DES meeting last night. Many people who are anti-photography in our business, in my opinion, are ignorant or aren't sure of their skills, so they are afraid that their incompetencies may be caught on camera. Also, I don't believe that a department can put restrictions on your photography off-duty. I can understand your department putting restrictions on you while you are on duty and working a job. As far as getting dragged into court, well, what are you supposed to do- never take photos? Because even if you take photos of a park or at a public event, you can be dragged into court as well. And I woulnd't put it dragged....you may be asked for your photos as evidence, as part of the investigation, or you may be a witness. I know in many muncipalties, police officers often "shoo" buffs from a fire scene, or keep them at a distance. There are those of us who have specific departments we follow and photograph, some who do it professionally or as a hobby, and behave professionally on scene. Now, there are some that ruin it for the rest of us. And there's also the issue about one of us getting hurt at the fire scene. People have been taking fire photos for many years. Now, with the proliferation of digital cameras and websites such as this, there is much more of an interest in it, and where printed photos could only be shared within small circles, digital photos can be shared around the world very easily. I also agree that photos are a great learning tool and critiquing tool. Maybe departments should have a program where you as a credible person/photographer sign up as a photographer for that department, and you sign waivers, and you get a pass that allows you access to the scene. As a condition of this program, you must give copies of all photos taken to the department. In closing, I find it sad that this is a major topic of discussion at a chiefs meeting, especially when there are so many other pressing issues affecting the fire service in this county. I hate how some people make this hobby out to be a major issue. Oh, accountabilty, response times, staffing, training, communications, battalion coordinators....who cares....LETS GO AFTER THE PHOTOGRAPHER! Seems some want to censor everything.....can't talk on this forum, can't take photos, just keep quiet and hidden and all our problems will be hidden. No, let's not address the problems....let's cover them up! And that's one of the main reasons. The way things are going, special interest photography will soon be illegal.

Here's an interesting article on Empress and part of their history: http://georgesmay-casehistories.com/empress_ambulance.html

See a photo on x635Photo.com that you like and want to share with a friend? Did you know that if you see a photo you like onx635Photos.com, that there is a feature where you can send, via email, that photo in an "e-postcard" to a friend. When you view the full size version of the photo (by clicking on the thumbnail), you will see a little envelope on the near the top right of the photo. Click on that, and a form will appear. Enter the infomation required, and send the e-postcard photo to a friend. [attachmentid=1791] And here's an example of what the E-Card will look like when your friend recieves it: [attachmentid=1792]

Date: 12-19-06 Time: 2155hrs Location: 80 East Hartsdale Ave. Frequency: Units Operating: Greenburgh PD 64, GPD Animal Control 93, 94, Hartsdale FD Engine 170 Description Of Incident: Units dispatched for a female needing assistance extricating a rabbit from underneath the front passenger seat of her 2000 Audi. Unit on scene reports rabbit is entrapped underneath the seat, working to free rabbit. Writer: x635 2215: GPD Communications advising if Animal Control needs assistance, they will request Engine 170 from Hartsdale FD to respond. 93 will advise if needed shortly. 2220: Hartsdale Engine 170 Responding IFO 100 E. Hartsdale Ave to assist GPD with rabbit extrication. 2222: Engine 170 on scene 2238: Engine 170 Captain reporting rabbit extricated, Engine 170 In Service, "Thats All Folks"

Date: 12-19-06 Time: 1225 Location: 4 Seely Place C/S Ardsley Rd Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: Greenville L-4, E-150, E-151, R-29, Hartsdale E-170, Fairview E-175 & 2122, Scarsdale TL-29, White Plains Engine 66, Yonkers E-314, SQ11, L70, B2, B-Special Ops, New Rochelle Squad 22(Cover Greenville), Eastchester TL-17 (Cover Greenville) Greenburgh EMS, Greenburgh PD, Scarsdale EMS, 60 Control FieldCom 1, Con Edison Description Of Incident: Structure fire (Residential) Writer: x635 (O/S), x901 (O/S), Truck 4 (O/S), tbendick (O/S), HFD750 (O/S), DFFD227 (O/S), HFD23 (O/S) *All times approximated 1225: Ladder 4 on location with heavy smoke showing. Requests 2nd alarm & Con Edison to scene. D/W/H 1226: Engine 170, Engine 175 responding 1228: Ladder 4 requests Scarsdale Tower Ladder 29 & White Plains Engine 66. Heavy fire in attic and walls. 1235: Fire through the roof. All hands working, opening up. 1235: L-4 requests Engine & Truck from Yonkers to scene, Eastchester TL-17 & New Rochelle SQ22 to cover Greenville. 1240: Multiple lines in operation. Multiple compaies opening up roof. 1300: All hands still working, multiple lines in operation 1335: Hartsdale Car 2173, Fairview Car 2122 responding with additional manpower. 1330: Switching to defensive operation. 1400: Fire darkening down, still heavy pockets of fire. Partial roof collapse. 1435: Multiple firefighters being treated for smoke inhalation, exhaustion, muscle injuries etc. 1538: Units still working, still several pockets of fire. 1550: Fire under control, all hands still working 1650: Several companies still working- overhaul, some M/A units being released ????: All units clear, M/A covers released NOTE: Large, older construction Type III residential dwelling with multiple renovation, plaster/lathe walls, and slate roof. Roofers working on copper gutters at time of arrival. PHOTOS: http://www.emtbravophotos.com/News/121906.html

Although I'm trying to find out what it's used for (I thought I had heard once that BPD had to maintain their own facilities, including snow removal), I thought this particular PD/DPW hybrid was awesome! Actually, Boston PD had several of these, including some with sanders. I wonder if these are used during snow emergencies to plow PD/FD/EMS to calls? Ver unusual that my PD and DPW interests mix! [attachmentid=1757]

I'm pretty sure this is a Humat gate. I saw it on numerous Boston area apparatus yesterday. This particular one was on Boston Engine 9. I know (or think) that these are also used in LA and maybe Scarsdale too. Anyone want to give me a refresher on how they work, what the advantages are, and why they are so prevalent in the Boston area? [attachmentid=1754]

Caught this link of another forum http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l18/Lt_K...hite/Rescue.jpg Seattle FD's new Pierce Arrow XT Rescue. Looks really good!

On this forum, I've noticed several people who talk as if they've seen and done it all, yet some are juniors or haven't been around this much. And some screen names I don't know the experience behind, and I'd like to learn more. So, I figured we'd do a little experience roll call- where do you come from, how long have you served, etc, like I wrote below. I hope to say "Wow, I didn't know that" about some members of this forum. Here's my background (sounds like my resume- but I want to set an example): Born and raised in Hartsdale, NY. Education: Ardsley High School, Ardsley NY Graduated 1997 Northeastern University Boston MA (at 22-23 years of age, Northeastern University Paramedic Class 47 alumni) Associates Degree. NU Deans list. Westchester County Career Chiefs Fire Academy, Class 03-05, Graduated 12/17/05. Instructors award. Fire Explorer since I was 14 years old, Explorer captain from 15 1/2-18, at 18-22 was a volunteer firefighter and explorer post advisor. Career EMT from 18-22, career dispatcher from 20-22, and a career Paramedic from 22- to now, 27. Career Firefighter from 26 to now, 27. Accepted with Hartsdale FD after deciding between offers from Montgomery County, MD and Los Angeles City FD, CA. Volunteer experience: Ardsley FD Career Experience: Empress EMS-EMT-I (Yonkers & Mount Vernon EMS) , Stamford Hospital ED (EMT-I), Westchester County Police Dispatcher, 60 Control Dispatcher, UMass*Worcester ED (Paramedic), Westchester EMS-Paramedic (45 Medics), Hartsdale FD (Firefighter) Worked (alongside) with: ALL Westchester County FD's, PD's, ESU's and EMS agencies, Stamford Fire, EMS &PD, Norwalk Fire, EMS, and PD, Worcester Fire, EMS and PD, Boston Fire, EMS, and PD, FDNY, Newark NJ EMS, Fire & PD and various other agencies. Ridden Along With , trained with, or extensively observed operations: FDNY, Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, UMDNJ Newark EMS, FDNY*EMS, Fort Lauderdale FD, Woburn MA FD, Boston FD & EMS, Greenburgh PD & EMS and various other agencies. Professional course and certifications: Too lazy to list. Total time in emergency services: 13 years (never worked another line of work). Seems petty in relation to somes career span, but I am lucky to have had such a wide array of experiences during this time. Other related experiences: Very amateur photographer (but budding), and creator/founder, adminsitrator and webmaster of The EMTBravoGroup websites. Fire/EMS/PD/DPW, Plane, Train, and truck enthusiast. Internet addict. Diecast collector. Scanner enthusiast. Love to read. Have a ton of hobbies and projects I keep myself busy with. Engaged. Wedding July 7, 2007. Homeowner. Proud resident of Hartsdale, NY. So that's me, and thats where I come from. Having seen so many other systems, such as LA, spark many of my ideas and thouhts, and desire to progress Westchester's emergency services to be the best in the country.

WOW! That's just crazy!

Chances of getting on are very good- if you try hard. Although details have yet to be announced, CA departments usually don't have a residency requirment or preference.Onthe past exam, if you were a Nationally Registered Paramedic, then you get preference. VERY competitive, though, to get on, and stay on through the academy. You have to be at the top of your game from the time you start the testing process. One of the BEST departments in the world to work for, though.

Firedog, Circuit City's version of BB's Geek Squad, is having a contest. http://web.firedog.com/acrossamerica/default.aspx

I'm just curious if anyone has submitted their department for this contest yet? This is a great contest, and found money for your department....and you!

If you've read my thread or blog about White Plains Honda, then you know the history of this story about me trying to get a car for my fiances Christmas gift. So today, I went to Croton Dodge, got excellent service and price as usual, and now Kristen has a new Dodge Nitro SXT. Should have gone to Croton Dodge in the first place. Read more about it here: http://x635.blogspot.com/2006/12/happy-end...y-car-saga.html She loves it! See the photo of the car at the above link. Thanks to everybody for all their help, support, and contacts!

See this post: http://x635.blogspot.com/2006/12/swindled-...ains-honda.html Can anyone help me find EMAIL ADRESSES for the Honda Corporation? I've already emailed a bunch of people, but cannot seem to find any email addys for Honda corporation or a dealers association for them myself.

Situation happily resolved thanks to Croton Dodge!. http://x635.blogspot.com/2006/12/happy-end...y-car-saga.html Thanks to everybody for the help and support. I should have known better then to shop at a dealer that has to advertise as much as they do.

If anybody could help me out with getting hooked up with someone for posed shots (with the proper approval) of the following apparatus, it would be appreciated. I know some of you on this forum have offered in the past but I am completly disorganized. I'm looking to shoot: -Montvale NJ's Crown Engine -Norwalk, CT Truck 2 -Rye's New Engine -Sleepy Hollow's New Engine -North White Plains new-to-them Engine -Valhalla Utility 9 -Spring Valley's Metz Aerial -New City's new Tower Ladder -Bethel, CT's Sutphen Tower Ladder & Mack Tanker And anything else new or interesting that I should shoot. Please email me at x635@EMTBravo.com if you can hook me up with someone to get these shots. Late morning (around 11AM) is preffered). Sun is nice, but not absolutely required- cannot shoot in rain though. Looking to shoot whenever possible.

Thanks for the info guys. Although after sitting at the highway garage for a couple of years, and given it's age, I'm sure the former T-5 needs some TLC. BUT, BHFD keeps their apparatus in such excellent condition, and this tanker is so compact really making it a very versatile unit, it would be a great unit for a department in need of a tanker that can't afford a new one, or even a department looking for a "tactical tanker" that can get right close to the scene.

The thruway wreckers have a purposse for the red lights and sirens. They are first line emergency response for the Tappan Zee Bridge. Any disabled vehicle or minor accident has great potential to become an even bigger incident on the bridge if not removed or blocked ASAP. Since the bridge has no shoulder, red lights and sirens are neccesary for the wreckers for thatr reason as well. These wrecker operators on the bridge also have an extremly dangerous job. As a side note, at one time the Thruway Authority even operated a Engine company for the bridge...photos anyone? You also see red lights and sirens on PAPD Bridge and Tunnel units for the same reason.

Every time I hear "Career Vs. Volunteer", it makes me want to cringe. Anyone who says "Career Vs. Volunteer" and then goes on to say how we should all just simply get along is contradiciting themselves when they use the word "vs". What is this, a war? It's my perception that a lot of volunteer firefighters think "paid guys" are evil or "forgot where they came from". I also see a lot of that sediment on this board. On the flip side, there are paid guys that have their ignorant notions as well. It irks me even more when I see the kids in their late teens/early 20's retaining the same sendiment that has been around forever. Many of these youngsters are shooting themselves in the foot...the more jobs there are, the better their chances. There's been lot's of tension between the two sides forever. Although I've only been a career firefighter for just over a year, I have over 10 years experience working with volunteer and career agenices in a variety of roles. We both have problems and flaws, and this is just my opinion. Hopefully I can give some of my personal insight into the issue. Career Firefighting is a job. Yes, it's more then a job, but it is just a blue collar civil service job when it comes down to it. But it's tricky- what other profession do you see someone getting paid for a job AND doing it for free? It truly is a calling and a love...for most career guys. Volunteers I admire because they spend countless hours of their personal time training, maintaining equipment, and drop whatever they are doing to respond to calls. I can't imagine doing all this for free, and I give them a lot of credit. They do this in addition to a full time job. I understand the love and respect volunteers have for their departments, and I could understand many of them would be lost without it (When I was a volunteer, I felt the same way) Many of us came from volunteer roots. However, there are two sides to the issue. Whereas if you are a Paramedic, volunteer or career, you have to meet the same standards to keep your credentials. There are two seperate sets of standards for volunteers and career firefighters- if a firefighter is the same volunteer or career- why can't we all meet the same set of standards? Career firefighters have to go through a rigourous, long, and involved process to earn their roles, and risk getting fired if they screw up. Leadership is the same way....a career officer is determined and governed by a totally different set of standards then a volunteer officer. I think that is one of the big issues. What is the reason why we can't all be on the same level? Some of the issues I hear is that because if volunteers were to be held to the same level as career, that you would lose a lot of volunteers. That doesn't make any sense...being a firefighter is a profession, and anyone who wants to be one should be held to the SAME standard regardless, since it's the same job regardless if you get a paycheck or not....especially if you want to make claims that we are all the same. NO EXCUSE in my mind that the two levels should be any different. Sure, we can both fight fires, and both have gotten training......but here's an example. Why does a career firefighter have to pass CPAT, and a volunteer doesn't? Why does a career firefighter have to retire at 62, but a volunteer doesn't? And when I refer to the word "Profession", it means your paying occupation. Yes, you can act professional, but a professional is someone who does something for a living, generally. We're not just "paid guys", we are career firefighters......this is what we do for a living. Say you worked for DPW, and got paid to plow snow and its something you do every day and work hard at it, and then a bunch of guys from the community come down and do your job for free, and they aren't held to the same standard as you are. Yet they call themselves "Professionals" too. This is how I earn my living and put a roof over my head. Another issue I see is that career firefighters don't want to take volunteers away, or don't want more jobs to "boost their local", they just don't want to see moves like hiring paid janitors to staff volunteer departments, circumventing hiring processes and essentially robbing the people who take these jobs of benefits and protection that should be theres. These people who take these jobs are being taken for a ride. These moves are often made by volunteer departments who are afraid that going career would "take them over"....but what is not understood is that if they are looking out for the best for the community, what is the problem? If you hire a proper career firefighter staff weekdays between 7AM-7PM to have proper daytime manpower, then what are you...excuse me....then what is the community losing by that? Aren't you embarrased that your department has to retone for manpower for a routine alarm? Doesn't that scream something wrong to you? And if you could give the qualified younger members of your department good paying, secure jobs in their hometown, why rob them of that oppurtunity? Do they want the job, or do they want the hangout? Also, taxpayer funded incentives to recruit and retain volunteers need to be studided hard and looked at to see if they are the proper long term solutions. Our tax money shouldn't be used to put temporary fixes on things and ignore the long term solution. We need to study where the fire service is going in this county....the young guys who live with their parents now and are active in their departments...how long are they good for? Is having 22 year old officers with no experience good? Same goes for the older guys. It's not my feeling that "Oh, they're doing my job for free". That is not the point. Both sides struggle with staffing. Career with proper manning levels, and volunteers usually with daytime coverage. I also notice an increasing amount of youth staffing volunteer departments, and a lot of older members, with not a whole lot inbetween. On the volunteer side as well, there's often an inconsistent response....you never know what you are getting exactly training and ability wise. Career Firefighters, many of us, want to maintain our job as professional, and look good to the community. I've heard of booze fueled incidents in different area volunteer FD's over the past couple of months that have been totally brushed aside, and other wild behavior where the firehouse is used as a social club. That's another thing- if you want to be a firefighter, fine. But a firehouse is not a place to consume alcohol. This is something that has the potential to make us all look bad. The whole volunteer and social club in one thing needs to end...that is not professional and invites problems. The union part is something many people think is the root of the evil. But the union's doing what the union is supposed to do....looking out for it's members best interests, and fighting for that. If you look at it, unions really fight for things that are needed by their departments, memebrs, and communities. There is much tension to this issue, but why I do not understand. There's politics and conterversy everywhere in every business, but anyone who participates in anti-career or anti-volunteer behavior is frankly an idiot. Those who truly want the best for their community take the right actions. People who want to hold grudges or hate one side or the other are often ignorant or have inflated egos., and really don't have any interest besides a conflict. And to those who like to get defensive, and use the tired lines such as "they forgot where they came from". That's complete BS. I came from volunteer ranks, and ALWAYS wanted to be a career firefighter. I always wanted the best for my department and community. I forgot nothing....becoming a career firefighter was always my aspiration. Stop using that played out cliche' I agree that not every department is going to be career, nor is it right for every community, and I don't think that anyone thinks that Westchester should or could be 100% career, but every department and every firefighter should be held to the SAME standard and same response times if you want to be called a firefighter. Combinations departments do work...it's tricky, but it can be done. It's my feeling that initiatives by the county would help tremendously, but thats another subject for another day. So, in closing....career firefighters aren't evil. They go to work, do their job, and just like volunteers, want the best for themselves and their communities. Many of us...volunteer and career want to be more progressive, whilst it seems many want to just maintain status quo, or put on bandaids on things- and there are only a select few holding us back from where we need to be. We have a whole lot of problems in this county, and this is one of many...yet it seems things never change. I hope we can have a constructive conversation about this. This is not a rant, rather I just want to open up about these issues that are discussed by many in different circles, and see what your view on these issues are...and where you see the future going....and most importantly....can both sides ever find a way to work together to better the fire service, and drop the anymosity?