Stepjam

I think the whole "diversity" issue is overplayed, and is a nice way of saying "reverse discrimination." The word is often misused, and I confess that I do have some contempt for the term "diversity." It's too often just another way of saying "quota." What happened to the "melting pot" concept that so many of us were taught in school?

Long ago, I and many others were shuffled down a certain list because we were not the right color/gender. This was an open fact: Governor Cuomo set a quota that no more than 40% of any recruit class could consist of white males. Period. I had to qualify twice on the physical fitness exam, and passed with flying colors both times. I was number 149 on a list from which 400 were selected, I made the cut just before the list expired. By then, I was no longer interested and pretty much disgusted. That was 1984.

I think that administration and government need to take a "hands-off/mouth shut" approach in this issue, and let "diversity" take care of itself. Some people are drawn to public service, some are not, and others put those emergency services to the test every day by their actions and lifestyles. If someone has the vocation and can fulfill the rigorous requirements and compete EQUALLY, then the job should be theirs.

Color, creed, gender, national origin, and sexual orientation should have no bearing on any persons' choice to serve or their ability to do so. I frankly don't care what color someone is when they show up in response to a call for help.

Shameless political pandering at its worst. Why not round up the Juvies who are hanging out ("Loitering") or up to mischief and require them to do it? Pay them minimum wage, too. The City of Yonkers used to hire "economically disadvantaged youth" for the summer to help out in the Parks, etc.

That was my first paying job.

HIPA.

That said, best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, and great job (again), YFD!

He was in the shallow end of the gene pool.

I don't have a badge. I don't want one, either. I was never issued one by New York State when I completed my certification, and as far as I know it is up to individual agencies issue a badge as part of a duty uniform.

Many paid EMT's that I've spoken too are very uncomfortable wearing a badge, particularly in an "urban" environment. This is simply because that when combined with their street gear, the badges can cause them to be misidentified in a situation as law enforcement.

Leave your badge in the store.

Good thing Code 3 didn't release that to go with the Tower. It would have been a two-door Blazer.

Ah, there you are Duane! Glad that all is well, you had a few of us worried for a while.

Like all Con Edison "apparatus," that truck only has room for one "worker" inside.

In the finest Con Edison tradition, only one guy will be working at a desk, and ten others will be standing around watching or supervising him. One or two others might be seated up front, feet on the dash, reading one of the daily New York rags.

Sorry if ya can't take a joke!

Who exactly is the AHJ when there is a fire brigade involved and the facility is within a fire district?  Are there special circumstances outline by federal law or standard being its a nuclear facility? Who has the ultimate responsibility as outlined by NYS law, if it is applicable?

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Sorry for the late reply. The Fire Brigade Leader (usually an Operations Supervisor) has the final authority on dispatch and deployment. Nuclear Plants come under Federal Law, and it is the Federal Government that has ultimate jurisdiction.

That's fine, as long as they are also fully fluent in the ENGLISH language as well.

Don't you still have to be an American Citizen? What about proof of Selective Service registration? Have I been out of the Civil Service pool that long?

I thought PCBs couldn't be used as dielectric cooling/insulating oil in the US anymore?

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They can't-in newly manufactured ones. The transformer in question is thirty years old, it's oil wasn't a problem as long as it stayed inside the unit. IP2 had two brand new Siemens transformers installed last year, which are state of the art.......and were imported from Brazil.

Well, I'm 44. After a job or training, I shake my head and say: "This is a young man's job!" I'm no Jack LaLanne, but I'm not exactly a crusty old slug either. The job just beats the hell out of the body, especially over time. It's worse if you spend your downtime sitting around instead of trying to keep fit.

I think that alot of the fatal MI's out there happen to guys in their forties and fifties. The AARP guys often have enough sense to know their limitations and instead act as fire police or instructors. They are good to have around. The problem of keeping enough "young" guys in the volunteer agencies is only going to get worse.

ALS, that is a good question, and truthfully I don't know the answer since it's never come up until now. I know the rules have changed quite a bit, and HLS calls some of the shots now. I'm interested to know the answer too, let me find out.

Just stating we are not always told the truth. PCB OILS ?

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Of course. As I said, there is a HazMat concern. Dielectric cooling oils will always become laden with PCB's as they age. The yard area is well contained, the transformers sit on concrete pads in the middle of a concrete tub, which is backfilled with gravel. There will be some oil to clean up in that area, but most of it remains contained inside the unit. I can tell you that arrangements are being made with an outside specialist company to recover the oil.

.......If you have a Fire, any type of Fire for that matter why would you turn away resources? I am not knocking IP Fire Brigade but what is the Fire Brigade equipped to handle?

Was Verplanck FD really "NOT NEEDED" or just turned away because IP wants to

keep this Fire quiet and down play EVERYTHING as they do.

Hopefully they are not "turned away" at the gate.

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Already, the BS is starting to fly. There WAS NOT any "release of radioactive material." Some people seem to be disappointed by that.

Please, skip the drama and skullduggery. We don't "downplay" anything. The local media tends to exaggerate and sensationalize. There wasn't any duplicity in this incident and the Brigade responded beautifully. VFD simply wasn't needed. It is still a secure facility, so if there isn't a good reason for you to be there, then you won't get in. If you aren't very careful, and aren't familiar with the specific hazards, there is a risk of injury. It was simply unnecessary to admit the VFD in this case.

The IPEC Fire Brigade is very well equipped to deal with a situation like this. It is a regular fire prevention and suppression organization, not unlike any in many small towns. We don't have any motorized apparatus, but the site is well hydranted, there are hose stations throughout, along with prestaged AFFF, tools, and extra lines, up to 4." All members turn out in class-A's and SCBA gear. IPEC's brigade receives annual NY State FF basics training; most are VFF's in their own communities. The Brigade drills often.

In addition to its own "Fire Department," The area where the incident took place is covered by an automated, wet-pipe deluge system. It effectively contained the fire until the Brigade responded with AFFF. There are a number of automated systems throughout the facility, ranging from sprinklers to automated deluge systems, several CO2 systems and a few areas that are covered by Halon. In addition to city water, there are two auxiliary fire pumps (very BIG pumps) and approximately 300,000 gallons of stored fire water.

Naturally, the emphasis is always on awareness and prevention, but transformer fires are not unknown at large power plants and substations.

Here are those additional pictures, thanks to YFD Web Site

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OHHH!!! BAAAAAAAAABBY!!!!

You'se guys are da best. Tanks fuh postin' dem!!

Let me push my luck here.....anyone get a tail shot?

Just finished. No unit numbers, since CDF isn't buying the Type 25 (this) after all.

I think they have three, which will be in reserve.

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What scale are you talking about? Of course, the larger the scale, the simpler (usually) it is to do. I suggest that you check out and even join the following sites (free):

The Scale Firehouse

Yahoo Groups-Scale Central

Both are well populated with excellent modelers who specialize in larger scales (1:35 and up). Since you mentioned a Spartan cab, I assume that you are either taking a 1:87 Boley to modify, or you're thinking of building your own in a larger scale. I scratch build and kitbash, but never larger than 1:50. You can get some ideas from my page too.

Stepjam's photos

Wow.....

Well, there are probably 9,000 different ways to do it. It depends on what you have, what you want to do, how picky you are, and plenty of other factors. Can you narrow it down a little?

1. Walk around

2. No

3. Yes

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Thanks!

I apologize in advance if they've been asked before, but I have a few questions about the new rig, if anyone knows:

1. Is it a walk-through?

2. Are all of the compartments the same width?

3. Will it have roof compartments?

I know these questions are kind of strange, but I have my reasons.

Thanks!

Good riddance to the place. I know there were some old folks trapped there back in the seventies, I'm sure they've either passed on or have relocated.

All Yonkers needs to do now is demolish School Street Houses, Schlobaum, Riverview Towers, Jefferson Terrace, and maybe Phillipse Towers, and Yonkers will be on the way up. I'm a civilian who was brought up in that ghetto, so I'm not stepping out of bounds by making what would be considered such an "unbecoming of a (insert job title here)" by the political hacks.

I say maybe about Phillipse Towers becasue a remember that place was considered to be a very swanky address when I was a kid; but with all of the urban combat that's going on in the area, I can't imagine anyone with the means to move out of that 'hood would still be there. Shop-Rite tried to split so many times, but the city's lawyers keep them there.

I read one of his posts. The subject was nothing new, and his grammar was abominable. That's usually a tip-off that it's a kid.

I was never big on Pierce TDA's; that inclined ladder just doesn't agree with my eye, but THAT rig is Freaking Beautiful!!!

Those are by Rich Krom, who is one of the best fire apparatus kitbashers around. As you can see, he has a special talent for weathering.

Rich is a career Firefighter near Tucson, AZ.