x635

One snowy and cold Christmas morning around 1987, I brought a new Radio Shack scanner that I received as a present, to work at Station One. Immediately the b@ll-breaking started; "Oh look what Saaaantaaaa gave you!" "Now you can listen to the Phoenix Fire Dept!" etc. etc. Pile on stuff; the old-timers were still on the job then, and they were expert BBer's.
I sat down at the kitchen table listening to the scanner and catching hell for it. Then the Bronx comes on the radio. This scruffy old school officer with a smokey voice says; "Engine eight-eight to the Bronx k...
"Go with your message Engine 88....
"10-84...10-75 the box and a very Merry Christmas to you too Bronx...." in the calmest, saltiest voice we'd ever had heard.
Immediately the change-of-shift full room erupted simultaneously; "Whooaaaaa!!!!...."
Christmas in the firehouse. It has it's funny moments and memories in the making.
Merry Christmas to all; and a shout out to the brothers and sisters working the shift tomorrow. FD/PD/EMS, all of you who sacrifice that precious time with your families, to protect and serve; never more selflessly than on Christmas day.

First I will start out saying that I have very limited knowledge and hope that other more experienced members wiil chime in and aid in the discussion of operational tactics and use of the water can.
At Yorktown's fire yesterday, I, along with everyone else was impressed at the amount of fire that was knocked down with the water can. As I pulled up in the utility an noticed fire was pushing up the stairs and out the front door of the building, E270 arrived on scene and begain the basic bread and butter operations of an engine company. 3 members had streched a line to the garage / basement door, and were ready for entry while my LT and I headed to the front door with the irons and the water can and TIC. While the hose team was awaiting water, my Lt and I entered the building and he was able to hold and basically knock the fire down with just the simple use of the 2.5 gals of water. The room that was on fire was approx 5'x5' big and was the boiler and washing machine / dryer room. The fire had extended out of the room and was seconds away from catching the furnature at the top of the stairs.
Fire was banked about 1/2 down the height of the stairs and begining to travel into the garage and into the living room in the basement as well. My Lt and I made our way down the stairs and to the fire room and he begain hitting the seat of the fire and the walls/ celing with the stream quickly extinguishing most of the heated gases. Had this not been done, fire most likely would have continued travling up the stairs and spread throughout most of the living area.
That war story being told, I urge every department to carry and utilize the water can for both holding a medium sized fire in its place and extingishing a small fire before it gets out of hand while you are awaiting water. In a simple room and contents fire, the water can works wonders because in a confined area, when the water is applied, it expands to 1700 times its original size in the form of steam and will quickly darken down the fire. When a fire is little bit beyond the r&c stage, it can hold back and slow progression until the hose team arrives.
Im curious as to what other departments utilize this tool and how its implemented in their deparment. For mine, every rig with the exeception of the tanker and the brush truck carry at least 1 2.5 gal water can, and take it in on almost every alarm we receive. Im sure other can add more to this, but thats my rant for now.

Nice post. I wanted to quote you so maybe some of the brothers would sit back for a minute, re-read what you said, and remember how they really all do work together at emergencies, aside from this "pillow for your gun" cr@p. It's a shame that cops and firefighters are taking shots at each other. The Fire Officer that started this thread got upset because he cares. If the job is under pressure in New Rochelle, it spills onto all of it's members, particularly those who care the most. I think that's the biggest thing that the general public doesn't understand about being a firefighter or a cop; the pressure. I used to ride around in the duty car and think about the thirty plus thousand people that lived in the district, the five thousand plus apartments, over eight thousand structures, and think to myself " well whatever is going to happen on this shift, it's going to be my responsibility." That's what I got paid for, and when the proverbial hit the fan that's exactly the way it was. And that pressure did take it's toll on my health. That's why I'm retired now.
The police officer that posted his status came back and explained what he meant. I think now, particularly during the holiday season, and with all of the economic pressures coming down on all the jobs, it might be a good time to remember that everyone, cops and firefighters, are really on the same team. I have to admit I read the status update in question the same way the Fire Officer from New Rochelle did. I thought it wasn't appropriate. But I do know what cops are forced to endure and how difficult that job is. I think back to the day Michael Frey was killed. I'm thinking about Pipi who died in his patrol car. I'm thinking about Fred, who endures his pain and busts his @ss rehabing after being run down by a truck. These men are giants in my eyes.
As far as the public is concerned listen; corporations are squeezing everything they can out of the private work force. Then these same people come home and get their tax bills. They aren't thinking that they might be the next victim that needs a cop or a firefighter; they're thinking fifteen grand for property taxes. They don't take the time to break it down; the County, the City, the District, the School, they are mad as h#ll and can't take it anymore. Not while their 401K has been destroyed and their plans and dreams for the future are in jeopardy.
Yes it's a sad state of affairs that we are all in as a country these days. But to all the brothers on the job; keep your heads held high as you deliver a VITAL AND NECESSARY SERVICE to your community, and stick together k. Merry Christmas.
Edit: to reflect the correct rank of the Brother from New Rochelle. God Bless.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/emt_duo_on_break_let_preg_mom_die_mrj8Jv8kjmS0Z3FNO4DmiL

ALS hit the nail on the head, and it's the old cliché of "they sure don't build things like they used to!" Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure many of the rigs us 30 and 40 year old hold in high regard that were built in the 60s and 70s and even 80s, the old timers probably looking down on as not being as well built as the rigs they grew up with. However I can say with absolute certainty that the Pierces of today just don't have the same feel to them that the Pierce rigs I grew up on had. You can't even specify the material you want the cab made from anymore, it's aluminum or bust (speaking strictly of Pierce here). Same with the body, unless you specify you want galvanized or stainless steel, aluminum is the default and in some cases, the only choice (midmount tower ladders). Speaking of aluminum vs steel, I get a kick out of how our Pierce dealers back in the day used to trash aluminum aerials as being "weak" and "dangerous". Now that Pierce has their own line of aluminum aerials, all of a sudden the tune has changed, and aluminum is the cat's meow! I'm not naive, I understand how marketing works, but that doesn't mean I can't be amused by it!

I've heard this melting point argument in the steel versus aluminum debate time and time again as well as had discussions about it when brought up in aerial operator courses.
I have to ask this: Is there anyone out there that has seen a pile of molton aluminum on the ground? Or ever even heard about an aluminum ladder "melting" at a scene? I've seen aluminum ladders that have had direct flame impingement and not had any issues during the event. Here's my take on aluminum which I would recommend every time.
While the numbers listed are factual...they do not tell the whole story in regard to aluminum and if explained by the experts who design and engineer aluminum ladders it becomes quickly apparent that the melting point argument has no validity when discussing the merits of the two. Fact is more steel ladders have failed then aluminum. I'm no metallurgist but the following makes sense to me and counteracts the entire "melting point" comment often passed by diehard steel aerial fans. The following is a link to a white paper on Aluminum Aerials by EOne. It addresses the melting point issue: Aerial White Paper
Its clearly points out that while aluminum does in fact have a lower melting point...it also transfers (conducts) heat 3.3 times faster then steel, as the cross structural material is 2 to 3 times thicker then its steel counterparts. Due to this greater conductivity and the thickness heat is conducted away from hot areas significantly faster then steel.
Oh yeah..here's another good fact about aluminum when it comes to heat. Aluminum's conductivity of heat improves as the temperature increases....steel...it decreases.
As far as EOne..a couple of points in regard to info on their aluminum ladders with their distnctive swirl. EOne aluminum aerials reflect heat at an extremely high rate and they boasts upwards of 93% to 95%. In comparison steel aerials because they are painted reflect very very little heat.

Date: 12-17-09
Time: 1110hrs
Location: 1683 Strawberry Rd. C/s Lexington Ave. & Foot Hill St.
Frequency: 46.26/LMFD Ops
Units Operating: Cars 2262, 2263, 2268 (career Capt.), 2269, E257, L35, Yorktown FASTeam, Mahopac Falls Rescue (Cascade), MVAC, Yorktown Medic, Con Ed
Weather Conditions:
Description Of Incident: Working Fire
Reporters:
Writer: BFD1054
*I did not catch the original dispatch info; career staff on training detail, initial assignment re-arranged.
1110hrs-Career FF advising working fire.
1113hrs-Car 2263 advises working fire on the #2 floor of a 2-story colonial.
1115hrs-Car 2263 advising heavy smoke throughout the #2 floor.
1118hrs-Car 2263 requesting Con Ed Gas & Electric. Car 2262 making the contact.
1120hrs-Car 2268 (Career Capt.) advising members at training, inquiring if they are needed. Car 2262 advising affirmitaive, E258 responding from training w/career members.
1125hrs-E258 on the scene, Car 2268 requesting assignment. Car 2263 requesting crew to the rear with additional handline. Car 2263 requesting L35 to charge the 2 1/2."
1127hrs-Car 2260 (D/C Keesler) advising they are having trouble making the stairs due to heavy debris.
1128hrs-Peekskill FD requested to re-locate (1) engine to LMFD HQ. Car 2341 requests E133 as the re-locate. 60-Control advising E133 is OOS. E132 added as the re-locate.
1133hrs-Car 2261 responding.
1134hrs-Car 2263 (interior op's) requesting the roof be ventilated.
1135hrs-E132 out at LMFD HQ (1975 E. Main St.).
1155hrs-Car 2262 advising 2263 to make sure they open-up the wall all the way near the chimney. Car 2263 advising they are opening-up now.
1200hrs-Car 2261 advising Car 2262 to have Mahopac members pack-up to assist in the attic.
1204hrs-Car 2261 requesting members w/tarps to the #2 floor for salvage in the bedroom. (kudos to LMFD for conducting salvage)
1207hrs-Car 2261 advising fire knocked down, members conducting overhaul.
1244hrs-Car 2261 requesting Buchanan's Cascade (U12) to the scene. Buchanan toned out, as well as Batt-10.
1247hrs-As per Car 2261, Yorktowns FASTeam released.
1253hrs-BFD U12 responding.

The county is proposing consolidating 36 departments into 19 at an estimated savings of $7.5 million. The Westchester Association of Fire Chiefs is apparently unhappy with this. The email I received only gave these links, a couple links to public hearing sessions, and a message imploring people to act now. It didn't actually explain what exactly is so bad. Maybe the folks here at Bravo can clear this up.
http://www.westchesterlegislators.com/MediaCenter/articleDetail.asp?artid=1163
http://www.westchesterlegislators.com/MediaCenter/2009/2010%20County%20Budget%20-%20Restructured.pdf

What is being presented is a consolidation of county departments to reduce the redundancy that exists within the various departments and the county government. I personally know several of the legislators and the people that serve on the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee and trust me when I say I know with out a shred of doubt that they would be under taking this task if they did not feel it was worthy, useful and practical. I fail to see where any problems exist other than the new Public Safety department will have more tasks but not the unneeded positions that make this county the highest taxed in the nation.
PS, when people clamor over the fact that we pay the most taxes in the country while true, it is a twisting of facts. We pay the most taxes per person not the highest percent. Think about all of those billions and millions made by those who one land in the northern parts. All of this information is from your lovely elected officials so dont shoot the messenger

Solid waste is what the County BOL is full of.
County Exec elect Astorino, suggested consolidation over 4 years ago and the BOL & Spano told him to get lost. THey did nothing to rain in costs, expanding every department.
Now Asterino wins, and many including "boss" Ryan almost get booted and in less than 4 weeks and without any study they manage to reorganize the entire managment structure of county government. I found it particularly interesting that they got rid of positions that are vacant and claimed the savings. THey also got rid of positions that actually bring money into the county.
The new CE takes office in less than 3 weeks and the BOL needs to prove they can get the job done fast, since they have done nothing in the past 12 years. The Asterino transition team has hundreds of people looking at every department in the county to evaluate what is the best way to make this happen.
Mel Brooks said it best (as Governor William J. Le Petomane in Blazing Saddles):
Holy underwear! Sheriff murdered! Innocent women and children blown to bits! We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph!

This county is SCREAMING for consolidation. There are 50 some odd fire departments. How many different 911 answering points?
Even if you simply consolidated all of the small city and village fire departments into a town wide department. You've got a major savings there. Career staff would be better utilized, so would volunteer staff. There would need to be FAR fewer apparatus as well! There should be about a dozen departments in this county. Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and one for every town....IMHO

I didn't get a Harrumph out of that guy!

The transition team is not just looking to cut. It was charged with evaluating what works & what does not work & to give CE Astorino a "snap shot" of everything and an initial road map.
Very well said. Rumors do not help anyone.
That being said, I still didn't get a Harrumph out of that guy!
Tonight News 12 reported that Spano is against the BOL, last minute try, and I heard other members of the board are also against it. Lets just wait and see what the CE elect comes up with.

RIP. Seems like only yesterday.

Thoughts and Prayers r with u today Seth

Rest In Peace

RIP

RIP

r.i.p

According to "M": Missles behind the headlights, a rotating licence plate, the ability to drop oil, stars or smoke and an ejection seat for the officer.
or






The light tower has 6 750 watt lights (left & right side can be adjusted independent of each other, so they can actually shine in opposite each other). The tower also has an automatic electric field monitor (the grey box on top of it) and a radar to prevent the tower from hitting anything or getting within 8 feet of powerlines.

The top....Crane, boat, light tower, storage and the "Hippo" power unit (white box in right rear corner of body).
THe Hipo unit powers 2 low volume (40cfm) air hoses, 2 hi volume(185cfm) air hoses (to run jack hammers, an air knife and dirt vacume and 2 10gpm hydraulic lines that run our stanley hydraulic tools (concrete chain saw, jack hammer, and pumps). The pumps move 1,600 gpm and unlike drafting have a lift of up to 35 feet at 100 feet from the rig.