Paul J DeBartolomeo

Only booger would be aware of that bit of history...BUB

Very interesting information. We can really get a clearer picture of what is killing FF's in many instances. Its fascinating to look into time of day, time of year, and circumstances surrounding the incident to draw some conclusions that might help to make a change in the future. As stated in earlier posts we have to take care of ourselves if we want to survive. Im all for Dept fitness programs but its up to the individual to get motivated to get in shape. This is clearly one thing that we can each take control of and prevent in the future. Of course training is another area where we can focus to reduce accidents on the fireground and responding but its got to start with the individual. Just my 2 cents.

Stay Safe in 2008

Busy?

Obviously the video showed some really poor tactics being displayed on the roof, and the members of the BFD were very lucky no one was killed, aside from that just a few points to ponder. The roof was well vented and there was a good fire condition in the cockloft yet I didnt see a line operating from the top floor into the cockloft, I feel this would of made a huge difference. As far as the PPE is concerned it was a very poor showing but in there defense if you have ever tried to vent a roof while on air you know it is extremaly difficult if not impossible. One final query do all F.F.'s in Boston carry radios, it seemed that the guys on the roof were using hand signals to communicate with the ladder chauffer on where to put the aerial.

I doubt those Macks were worn out as someone stated, and 450 runs is not a heavy call volume. Add another zero maybe.

Seth,

I can help you out with the Brewster Fleet just let me know a day when you will be in the area. I also have some friends in R-1 that I could contact for you. FDNY 99 is a member of this site and a member of R1, he is also a good friend so I think he would take care of that. When in the city stop by E-69 L-28 BN-16 and I will pull the rigs out for you.

Just a question,which may sound silly. Does San Diego respond to that many bomb calls that they need a dedicated rig? Do they handle such calls alone or is the P.D. involved? I know in NYC th P.D. handles bomb calls and the F.D. provides an engine to stage a distance away. Just wondering thats all.

Date: 10/19/07

Time:0827 Hrs

Location: I-84 East/ Exit 9E Interchange

Frequency: 46.38

Units Operating: 11-1-2,11-2-5,11-6-1,11-7-2, BFD Fire Police, NYSP, PSCO, Medic # 3?

Description Of Incident:S.U.V. vs. Tractor Trailer with heavy front end damage to S.U.V. Extremaly Involved Extrication with multiple tools operating.

Writer: *******************

obviously another mistake by the lake, maybe you should go back.

To any of the SFRD guys, or anyone in the know for that matter, what is the plan for the new E-6. I know the former unit was a standard engine apparatus and I can see from the spyshots that this rig is basically a quint. Do they plan on running 2 ladder companies out of HQ, or is it heading up town.?

Grumpy I think you might be missing the point here. The garage in question was well involved and is more than likely a total loss. It will be torn down and rebuilt. The idea of the first line going to the interior is to prevent any extension into the dwelling area. This action will do several things, it will prevent fire spread into the house, and also facilitate a primary search. It requires a disciplined nozzle team because they may have to stand fast in the house and allow the 2nd due line to operate on the garage from the exterior. Although it may be difficult to pass up the opportunity to blitz the garage initially you are doing the homeowners a better service to prevent fire spread into their residence. As stated earlier, if there is a means to operate from the house into the garage then by all means have at it. If in the process of blitzing the garage you push fire into the dwelling and is severly damaged and the searchs are hampered then where do your well laid plans go. These are called strategy and tactics that have be tested time and time again. Guess what, they work.

Not a monday morning Q.B. speeking from experience. How do we know there is no visible extension into the living quaters do we have xray vision? The vast majority of attached garages have an enterance door into the dwelling thus the point of being attached so one can enter the dwelling without going outside. Getting a line in place between the fire and potential victims may require us to inside a burning building and be aggressive from time to time or we could operate defensivly and hope for the best I quess. The cellar fire reference also applies get a line between the fire and the primary means of egress to protect trapped/ fleeing occupants. Again speaking from experience interior cellar doors are not that hard to find if you know where to look.

There should be no discussion or argument on where the first line should go. It is basic engine company operations. You open any manual or a fire publication and it is clearly stated that the first line should go through the front door. I had the opportunity over the last few days to speak with some well known national speakers on engine company operations and I posed this scenario to them. They all clearly stated the same thing. The first line has to go inside. There really is no need to have an order given, the first due company should be aware of this and operate accordingly.

I was not at the job but I agree that the first line should have been taken in through the front door to protect the dwelling portion of the structure. Place a line between the fire and possible occupants trapped, allow for a primary with the protection of a hoseline, and prevent extension into the house. First line can stand fast in the dwelling and allow the second line to advance on the garage, or can operate from the dwelling into the garage if conditions permit. Not sure about the 2.5 at a residential fire, agreed there was a good volume of fire showing, but I think an inch and three quater would of been fine there. All things considered nice job by the B.F.D. as expected, we all learn from our mistakes.

Our 2002 Seagrave rearmount is a P.O.S. it has been O.O.S. for 4 months now and is not expected back anytime soon. There was a period not to long ago that all of northern manhattan was operating with spare aerial/tower ladders. I dont know if its the rigs or the people fixing them but it is a real disgrace.

So you are telling me that because you paid for a ticket, if the s@#$ hit the fan you would sit idle and not render aid. I know I would do what I could in the event of an onboard emergency, and I know the conductors know we would take action. It is in our nature to provide help when it is needed, thats why we do what we do. The small courtesy of a free ride is not to much to ask even for the VP of Metro North, it may be his chest I am pumping on one day.

Free train rides seem to be a thing of the past, at least on the Harlem line. Seems the conductors no longer honor an F.D. sheild any longer. I dont even bother anymore.

There is a back to basics day at the Fairfield Regional Fire school on 11/04/06, many great topics are being covered with plenty of hands on training time, all taught by experienced instructors from around the region. Go to Fairfield Fire and Rescue page and follow the links or send me a message for more info.

Any truth to the following rumors regarding SFRD aerial apparatus?

Current T-2, sutphen 75, would be outfitted with a bucket and offered to Belltown to replace TL-45. Current T-4 Mack 109' fire spire would be traded for Glenbrook L-31 to improve SFRD reserve fleet. Both heard from fairly reliable sources, any SFRD members with info?

The system that the FDNY uses is not yet available to the general FD public yet. Look for a target date of October. Those purchasing the device may be required to go through training inorder to recieve the unit, thus the hold up in its release, Train the trainer classes, facilities to train legalities etc etc

Is this strictly for full time dispatchers, or do they also employ part time fill in people?

In my recent visit to New Orleans following the huricane I noticed several of there front line pieces were Tele squirts. All were on American La France rigs and were of the 55 foot variety.

My firehouse totals. Engine Co. 69 5404 runs approx 1500 EMS. Ladder Co. 28 4104 runs, no EMS, 497 OSW's

I have to agree with Stat on this one. I work in a company in New York City that is probably quite similar to the firehouse depicted on this show. Car fires are just another routine emergency that we deal with day in and day out. I personally dont wear my mask at a car fire, its personnal preferance. As far as the background noises in the firehouse, at any given time of day or night in my firehouse it sounds like a jobsite. SCBA's are being checked, saws are being run, the rigs are being put through there paces etc etc. Its what goes on in a big city firehouse. You cant compare it to a small dept or a volunteer dept because there are vast differences between the two.

Most of the firehouse scenes are done in a studio in Long Island City I believe it was an old warehouse. Most of the apparatus used are FDNY spares sent over from the rock, although I saw a Long Island Volunteer rig on a shoot being done in Harlem on Bradhurst Ave when I was taking up from a box.