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Is Lukas still sold, or did Hurst absorb the brand completly? I was using Lukas at AFD, and the tools were great. Don't really have much experience with any other brand.

Ardsley has the same thing. Still doesn't help the person who can't or is not ready to buy yet though. Just a small token for those who do own a overpriced home, but as you said hopefully a step in the right direction.

The best tool(s) in extrication is compassion, training,skill, and interagency cooperation. We're there for the PATIENT, ultimately, and in alot of cases that is lost in the "excitment" of an extrication. Being an EMS provider that has had the chance to work pin jobs with several different agencies,as well as a FF doing the extrication, I've seen many different situation. The BEST extrication is the ones where everybody can put aside their own egos and (for lack of a better word) personal agenda (i.e. fighting over the tool,putting on a show, i dont like this person or agency and so on) and care about the PERSON, the human being inside the vehicle. THATS WHO YOUR THERE FOR. Also, people sometimes get tunnel vision at bad MVA's. I once had a FD ready to cut the drivers side door and roof off, (Didn't even ask EMS what they wanted to do, how they wanted to remove the patient) . Meanwhile, while they were preparing, we removed the potentially unstable pt easily and quickly off the bench seat on the passenger side door, despite the FF's protesting that they "had to" cut the car in order to get the patient out. As I was once taught in a EMS course, "Least Invasive to Most Invasive" and "You dont use a daisycutter to kill an ant" *Edit*BTW, forgot to add we later saw the same car in the body shop getting repaired, something that might not have applied if the car was cut. That fact shouldnt neccasarily be the first in your mind, but just an interesting tidbit. But I guess I'm going a little off topic, the discussion was about the tools after all. 8)

Has anybody in Westchester participated in this program?: http://www.helpingourown.org I know there are alot of fortunate deparatments in Westchester, and I think alot of times when equipment is replaced, the old stuff is just stowed in a back room till it gets crusty or is thrown away. My question would be if anybody would be interested in teaming up to try and gather some old but usable equipment from WC FD's to donate to some needy US deparments that could really benefit from stuff that no longer serves our needs? Or is my FD the only "packrat" dept? I know I'm throwing alot of ideas around in this forum, but it would be great if we could gather up some stuff and a couple of us could get together and deliver it on behalf of ALL FF's in Westchester.... Let me know if anybody would be willing to help out with this endeavor.

Also cross reference this thread for more: http://emtbravo.just5buckshosting.com/phpB...wtopic.php?t=67

Some great points here. I feel that when designing apparatus, compatibility with other districts equipment and facilites should be taken into account. Money is also an issue. If people could learn to share more, could we ideally cut down on the duplication of services, which would save a great deal of money that could be invested in new types of training, new tools, gear, etc. It seems like everybody has the need to have one "of their own"....not neccarily a bad thing in all cases. IMHO, There's ALOT of duplication of service and apparatus in Westchester. By creating more centralized resource and real task force type of systems, we could save ourselves alot of money that could be invested elsewhere. Rescues are not only as Rescues, but as versatile incident support vehicles that are useful at many incidents. I feel that every department should have one, at least a light rescue. Ladders, however, are quite pricey and expensive to maintain. Tower ladders more so. Does every department need a TL? Do you use a daisycutter to kill a mouse? Simplicity,effiecieny, and cost need to be considered.

What type of rig is best suited? Rescue? Ladder, Engine? Really depends on the department, and needs of the team Ideally, for me, a Quint because its multi-faceted, and can work other jobs if needed somewhere else. I also feel a rescue is a good because it carries rescue tools in case a more complicated rescue issue arises. Something like S-270 is suited well because it was spec'd to be able to function as a FAST unit. Something like a Mini-rescue,or utility body truck with crew cab, could also be a good idea because it allows the FAS team to deploy without stripping more apparatus from the district., as well as allow it to keep the equipment dedicated,set up, and ready for exclusive FAST use, and can possibly get closer to the scene. What type of equipment is standard for your FAS team Your basic truck company tools what do you think a team should have that yours doesn't? Thermal Imaging Camera ,Stokes Basket, FAS Tarp,Cascade unit,buddy breath system. How many members is your ideal team, and how many do your respond with ( max and mini numbers) 6, Max, for accountability and control issues. Driver, Officer, 4 FF's

On my way to DD this AM to get my new DD Caramel Swirl Latte (Which are really good, the latte,capp, and espresso line will be availabe in Westchester in January) I got to see the new '04 Dodge Durango. Now, I had only seen pics of it up to this point, and I really didnt like it from the pics, but when I saw it in person...WOW...its one hot truck...looks real good, much different from the pics)...Now, cant wait to see the first fly or chiefs car off this new design, and long awaited redesign of the Dakota which supposedly will closely resemble this. BTW, the new DD on Knollwood Rd In Greenburgh WILL have a drive-thru (And Baskin-Robbins) Also, the new Best Buy in Hartsdale is open. It's where Service Mechandise was. Norwalk will open soon as well.

Is the Safety Battalion a full time unit?

LOL.....BTW, When you upgrade your antenna, you will hear all of the repeaters alot better. that 800mHz you are working with probaly cuts your reception of UHF by 50%, and your VHF and LB by 75%

It's brand new. It's there.

Ford Vs. Chevy Vs. Dodge.....we all know that Dodge rules, lol The beneficial thing for Seagrave with FDNY,it works as kind of a "proving ground" for them. They can learn off of that contract, and it benefits all customers. Seagrave does build a rugged chasis with little plastic that befenfits heavy use. That's what has companies like Pierce and Ferrara trying to market similar chasis.....also Washington DC and LA are both going back to Seagrave. As for FDNY and Seagrave, FDNY also has very rigid specs, a very thorough process, and the staff is "used to" building FDNY pieces. It's been my experience that people either passionetly love ot passionetly hate Seagrve. Seagrave is not too popular here in Central/Northern New England or the South. The reason why is lack of/poor dealer support. I think Seagrave is trying to improve that with the new owners. One of the reasons E-One is popular up here (besides low bid) is that the dealer(s) are aggresive and customer service oriented, and they have a great service staff. There's a new Seagrave dealer up here trying to change that. Also, alot has to do with how you spec the apparatus, and how well the pre-delivery inspection is completed.Since apparatus is custom built one unit at a time, EVERYTHING should be looked over extensivly, tested, and played with and then looked over again before you sign on the dotted line. All corrections should be made prior to backing that rig in for the first time, and you should also make sure the dealer has a mobile service unit, to minimize downtime. You should also pay even more attention when you are going with a quantity over quality low-bid manufacturer. PLAY BEFORE YOU PAY..And Do It At The Factory (they can correct items more easily than the dealer)...Don't flip that switch for the first time at a fire! Personally, I like all brands of apparatus. All have their strengths and weaknesses. All build nice rigs, (except for one or two of the quantity over quality builders) and all build duds.Some more than others. It all comes down to the specs and dealer in the end. And it takes two to tango...

Congrats read through an IFSTA Essentials book if you can during the winter. Also, if you can, go down to the Firehouse as much as you can and observe, learn the equipment, where it is, etc

Awesome website from an awesome town on the beautiful rocky coast of Maine: http://www.yorkvillagefire.com and one of THE BEST video clips found on the internet: http://www.yorkvillagefire.com/2-13-03.MOV

Just an added tidbit,the Mount Vernon Ladder 1(61) is the old West Harrison TL9, MVFD bought it off them, they were also looking at other used engines in the county at the time.

They've got some nice ponies. LOL

I was curious myself about this product. It's nice and small too.

OK, Me too.....What brand of fire apparatus is the Avatar photo of EMTBravo?

Some great points/tips there!!!

I wish I had a great fire pic of mine to post...most of mine are apparatus :?

I used to work 3 different jobs that required three different sets of 10-codes, one of them even had several different sets of 10 codes.......plain talk would've been MUCH simpler LOL! 8)

Anybody see this thing yet? http://fire.kovatch.com/company/newswire/P...tor%20front.pdf

...Not to mention all the imitators....Spartan Extreme Duty, Ferrara Ultra, Pierce Arrow XT.......lol Seagraves are built to take a beating, you can especially tell by the interior fit and finish.....Ardsley used to (and still should be) an all Seagrave fleet......we have a 1928 thats still running, and has never even been refurbished. (Thanks TK!) I wonder if a Seagrave could be in Katonah's future? :wink: It's all in how you spec.

And WAS967 has the next question...