x635

Awesome! I didn't realize there were two of them. Interesting choice of chasis as well.

Thanks for the info. I never noticed these on BDPW's trucks. Here's a photo of it I got today. [attachmentid=1766]

That is AWESOME!

I also shot Hillcrest's 6-1750 199? Pierce Lance [attachmentid=1764]

On the update, I am done with Honda. Too pricey. I'm now looking at the Dodge Nitro, Ford Explorer, or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Much better rebates and incentives, especially with the Dodger And I'm a current Dodge/Chrysler customer anyways, and have been for the past 5 years.

Here is the outgoing Engine 41. It's now officially out of service, maybe Nutty1 could update us as to where it is going... [attachmentid=1621]

(This post is in reference to my blog entryabout White Plains Honda) So, today I researched my credit score a variety of different ways. It wasn't nearly as low as White Plains Honda told me it was. They told me due to my credit score, I had to pay more if I wanted the car. The number they told me my credit score was was a lie. I am continuing to pursue this, and thanks to EVERYONE for all their support, emails, and contacts. If anyone has a hook with a GOOD Honda dealer, please email it to me ASAP at x635@EMTBravo.com. I am trying to purchase my fiance a nice SUV for a Christmas present.

These two MassPike (I-90) trucks are impressive! Does anyone know more about these truck (Oshkosh, I think). Does any DPW in this area have classic snow war monsters like these? [attachmentid=1758]

One of the function that I believe that Westchester County DES is there for is support services for all the FD's and EMS agencies in Westchester. I have many ideas that this agency could accomplish to better the fire and EMS service in this county, and here's another one. The County has aqquired numerous of the ex-Bee Line Mini-Shuttles, and distributed them to various FD's in the county. My idea is this. The county should aqquire, when available, one of the full size buses, and convert it into a dedicated rehab unit. Have powerful A/C and heat, have onboard water, gatorade, and snacks, cofeemaker, bathroom, and facilities for EMS medical monitoring and first aid. This could be available countywide to any department that reqests it For larger incidents, especially in extreme weather, I feel this would be a great and versatile tool. With the talent in this county, I'm sure theres many people that would be willing to donate their skill and time to convert this bus. The only question is, who would drive and operate it? Maybe this would be a good role for the citizen volunteer corps? P.S. These former buses would make excellent command posts.

I'm talking fire service REHAB......not a "snack wagon". It's my feeling that this is often an overlooked and neglected part of the response. Again, there is a difference between a canteen unit and REHAB! For those who don't know what rehab is, or how important it can be, do yourself a favor and read some back issues of JEMS, Fire Engineering, etc about Rehab. Also, this would not be a MERV, as stated above, but since it is for REHAB, which EMS plays an intergral and required role in, there would be facilities and equipment for them to operate.

I'm just curious if you could elaborate on this statement? Would you rather pretend nothing is wrong, and just go about everyday life, or have an open,constructive dialogue to resolve these issues, that....like or not and maybe not in your community but definetly others....exist? I agree that some about of tension will always be present, and there will always be conterversy and politics. However, I hate how quickly people get offended and defensive whenever discussing anything sensitive. Maybe if people could learn to talk......and LISTEN to each other more...things would be better. As I've said, it's one thing to preach and believe, and another thing to act and spark change. I feel this board is a great educational tool, to hear views from ALL sides. Many people only have the oppurtunity to hear a couple of possbly biased opinions, and this forum lets all the information be presented, discussed, and for people to make their own decisions....and learn and grow. To those citing costs, that's just an easy way out. Are we supposed to provide substandard service because of cost? Or could we work TOGETHER to eliminate such things as duplication of services, merging resources, and other items to reduce costs to lessen the tax burden? Now, some towns will never be able to fund a completly volunteer department, and that's not my point at all....my point is that we should all be held to the same standards regardless, and stop making excuses as to why we can't, and start figuring out HOW WE CAN! By the way, what happened to BROTHERHOOD meaning looking out for each other as well????????????????????

Happy Birthday to longtime EMTBravo member and supporter TR54!

As I travel around to different firehouses and see different things, I always seem to find neat and progressive ideas whereever I go. Today, I got to visit New Hackensack's AWESOME new firehouse, and check out their equally awesome fleet. One of the coolest features about their new firehouse is the LED back in line. The line you use to back up lights up. I think this is an awesome idea. Sometimes, when you back in, you can't see the line for whatever reason, and this line really stands out and makes it clear where you need to be aligned. [attachmentid=1733]

Does anyone else know if this technology is employed elsewhere in this region? I am really impressed by it. A great idea to improve something that's very valuable to the apparatus operator.

Animal Oxygen Masks Video by Elizabeth Orozco, LoHud.com Hartsdale Fire Department gets a big donation of oxygen masks for dogs and cats that can be used during a fire. http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...IDEO01/61213012

People who want to preach "brotherhood" and "pride", that's fine. The pride is there, the brotherhood is there, nobody is really arguing that nor am I, regardless, but the fact is there are issues that need to be nipped in the butt before they become worse then they already are. We can't pretend everythings fine and dandy, and just react to problems as they come up. We need to have foresight, we need to start getting our newest generation of firefighters on board- the culture needs to change. This is about public safety. Next time your hear a department retone for manpower, or put out second tones for an ambulance crew...think to yourself what it must be like for that person waiting for that ambulance or fire engine to arrive. "Brotherhood" and "Pride" mean NOTHING if we don't do our jobs efficiently, effectively, and safely....and most importantly- if we don't work together...we all are going to lose in the long run. If we continue to ignore these problems, we are going to get nowehere. I'm sick of the tension on both sides, and the significant differences between both sides. Both sides have issues that need addressing. We ALL need to start banding together and fighting the politics, traditions, and bueracy that plagues the fire service. Volunteers exists, and will so for a long time, so career firefighters need to find a way deal with that. As far as volunteers, they need to reconize and adress when their current manpower system is failing. Both sides need to find a way to work with each other to be on the same page.

Recently, we've all heard about the case where a NJ Fire chief was locked up because he refused to move his rigs, because he wanted to protect his men. On the troopers side, he wanted to, and is required to, keep traffic flowing to the best of his abilty, among several other duties. He has a job to do as well, and consequences to face if he doesn't do it. Now, maybe personalities clashed at this scene here, but I'm not looking to discuss this isolated incident. I've heard of this happening before, in various locales, and I'm wondering what can be done to better improve the working relationship between PD and FD on our dangerous highways. We have the duty, as FF's, to manage the scene, minimize the hazards, and treat the patients. The troopers often have the same goal in mind, but they recieve pressure from up above to keep the traffic flowing, have a lot of paperwork to do, and also need to clear the scene as quickly as possible because they cover a large are. Often, these are directives issued by superior officers. Many times, the troopers just want an ambulance, but don't understand how we do things. Sometimes, I can even see where a trooper is coming from. Once, while dispatching, there was a VERY minor MVA on the Saw Mill, with a car into the guardrail. The PD requested an ambulance, and as per FD policy, the FD responded as well. Understandable. But now, you have the ambulance, the paramedic flycar, three fire chiefs, a rescue truck, an engine, a support vehicle, and VAC members personal vehicles, along with the HELP truck and Tow truck ALL on scene of this minor, one patient MVA on a very narrow roadway during rush hour. Then, to top it all off, one of the responding VAC members responded in their personal vehicle, and LEFT IT ON THE LEFT LANE while the VAC transported. If I was a trooper, I'd be pretty pissed off too. So, what can be done to immprove our working relationships? Could training and both sides working together so we understand each others roles help to minimize tensions on the scene and keep us all safe, and more importantly, keep us all happy and working together?

Guys, I just got my very first pair of leather firefighting boots, the Warrington Pros, after hearing about how comfortable they are and make driving and climbing easier. However, my new boots are very stiff right now. What's a quick (and prefferably easy) way to break in a new pair of leather boots?

It's not a report, it's my opinion. My view on things from what I have seen. Instead of that comment, why not contribute to this discussion if you think it is slanted? BTW, I'm aware not every volunteer wants to be career.

Yesterday, I saw something that got me thinking. I've seen this overhead track type of exhaust removal system before, and always thought it would be a pain in the butt to back in with it. I've always though Plymovents were awesome. But this got me to thinking. Not only does this remove exhaust while in the firehouse, it removes it at the scene as well. The sidestack pipes vent overhead, whereas rigs with Plymovent and other type systems vent to the ground...and the scene area. [attachmentid=1749] Plus, sidestack pipes look cool on any apparatus. Gotta have the superficial part too, lol.

Read my comment. I'm not saying EVERY community needs a career department, but there are some that do. There are many other areas other areas of the country that aren't nearly as wealthy as Westchester, have lower taxes, and career FDs. Yes, rural areas can't justify career, but if you're a former rural area that is now protecting multi-million dollar homes and businesses like many in Westchester and the area, are you still the same community you were back in 1950 when you were a thriving volunteer company? I completly disagree. We're going to risk OUR lives and peoples lives and property because property taxes are too high, yet continue to funnel crazy amounts of money into our parks, and other pork-barrel projects. We can justify paying for sanitaition workers, paying for police officers, paying for duplicate resources in our communites, such as multiple TL's and Engines in a small radius. I think if we all worked together, and politiicans got their priorities straight, we could find a number of ways to cut down on a lot of costs which would drop taxes tremendously. Why are some people so cheap when it comes down to what could be theirs or their neighbors lives? People who feed the propaganda to their communties that going career would kill their taxes are doing a great disservice to themselves and their communities.

While in LaGrange the other day, LAGRANGEFF40 pointed out this building under construction to me. It has triple-truss construction. Three different sets of trusses for the roof. Does anyone know anything more about this method, or seen it before? [attachmentid=1752] [attachmentid=1753]

Just a reminder, I don't make a lot of public social appearances as many of you know, lol, but I will be there. Along with my alter ego.

Can we get a role call of who IS going? I will be there, in case anyone wants to beat me up.

Yesterday, LAGRANGEFF40 pointed out something neat to me on one of the classics while touring that fire apparatus collection pictured in my 12-11-06 photo hunt. [attachmentid=1741] These tubes dumped sand in front of the tires as needed for wintertime traction. Does anyone know more about how this worked? Did the driver have a control from a hopper, or did the backstepmen have to pour sand in somewhere? I never knew about that technology! Pretty cool!!