PFDRes47cue

IF only it were that simple. Keep in mind, the Staff area always being criticized. If we revoke privileges, we are "too harsh." If we allow things to persist, we "aren't doing our jobs."
As I said, this matter is under review. Thank you for understanding.

These are 3 pictures taken by my cousin who lives right across from the barn. More to be added later.

Date: 2-11-2011
Time: 14:55
Location: 554 E. 191 St. and Hoffman St.
Frequency: FDNY Bronx
Units Operating: FDNY Bronx
Weather Conditions: Cold
Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 4-story 20x40 frame. Fire on the #1 & 2 floors. Fire spread to the cockloft. Second alarm transmitted. 2 L/S/O/
Reporters/Writer: PFDRes47cue
Engines: 88, 48, 90
Ladders: 41 (FAST), 27
Squad 61
BC 19
DC 7

Date: 2-11-2011
Time: 00:35
Location: 1488 Sutter Avenue
Frequency: FDNY Brooklyn
Units Operating: FDNY Brooklyn
Weather Conditions: Cold
Description Of Incident: Working fire in the basement of a 2-story 20x40 P/D. 3 L/S/O. 1 line stretched into exposure 4 (1-story).
Reporters/Writer: PFDRes47cue
1ST ALARM:
BATTALION 39, 51
ENGINES: 225, 236, 285, 293
TRUCKS: 107, 142, 175 FT
RESCUE 2
SQUAD 252
DIVISION 15
2ND ALARM:
BATTALION 44 SAFETY OFFICER
BATTALION 58 RESOURCE UNIT LEADER
ENGINES: 332, 331, 294, 290, 207
LADDERS: 173, 143, 103 (S/C)
SATELLITE 6
RESCUE BATTALION / SAFETY BATTALION
TACTICAL SUPPORT #2
COMMAND TACTICAL #1
FIELD COMM #1

Date: 2-11-2011
Time: 06:10
Location: 114 Lenox Rd.
Frequency: FDNY Brooklyn Dispatch
Units Operating: FDNY Brooklyn
Weather Conditions: Cold
Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 4-story 150x150 O/M/D. Fire started on #2 floor and quickly spread to #3 floor. Several rescues made from the roof. 3 residents injured (2 critical). Several firefighter injured when floor collapsed. Mayday called then cancelled.
Reporters/Writer: PFDRes47cue
NY 1 Article

1st alarm assignment:
Engines: 283,310,227,231
Trucks: Ladder 174, TL 120
Fast truck: Ladder 123
Bn 44
Bn 58
R2
Sq 252
Div 15

These are photos that I took at a 2 alarm fire back on 8-2-10 in downtown Louisville. I edited the photos to only show the apparatus that were on scene.
First on scene was H&L-1

Engine 11 pumping and attacking the fire.

Engine 5

Tower 2

Squrt 17

Not for nothing but "Doing the Right Thing" also means doing the right thing for the people we serve not just ourselves. Guys love using DRT, FTM, EGH and such with regard to taking care of each other, they are real cool on t-shirts too, but our purpose or mission is still to serve the public. So if the EMS service in town can't get out fast enough or with enough, step up and be there for the people in need instead of furthering the problem. Then take up the increased volume with the proper officials.
As for my FD, I guess it's a non issue as we provide both fire and EMS, lift assists (assisting the EMS crew) is part of the job. And the "I've fallen and I can't get up calls" are ours too. Once in a while we assist the private transfer trucks when they need help, and while we hate helping them, we always will help our citizens.

Perhaps someone has an actual answer to this and not just opinions.
Why do some fire and police departments respond to EMS calls that aren't CFRs, EMTs or Medics? What is the point and what value does it have for the patient or victim to have untrained people standing there with them, waiting on an ambulance?
As for lift assists, why do PDs and FDs handle these? Is there any kind of liability if "XYZ PD" or "FD" responds on a lift assist, moves a patient and further injures them?
I only ask because our FD only responds at the request of EMS, but discussion has come up about lift assists and what to do when the ambulance doesn't get out for a lift assist. Should Mutual Aid have to handle it, or is another emergency service in town (PD or FD) capable to handle this?
On a personal note, if there's a call for a cardiac arrest, I think no harm would come from sending all 3 services if they have AEDs - get someone with the right equipment to the scene as soon as possible.
Thanks

Date: 2-6-2011
Time: 15:49
Location: 55 Somerset Ln- off of Barger St
Frequency: 46.39 Dispatch, 46.50 Putnam FG 2, West Trunk Fire 17 & Fireground 1?
Units Operating: Putnam Valley FD: 24-1-3 IC, 24-1-1, 24-2-1, 24-6-1, 24-8-1; Westchester County Technical Rescue Team; Putnam Valley EMS for standby on scene
Weather Conditions: 27degrees and Clear
Description Of Incident: Propane Tank Leak w/ later deck collapse onto the tank
Reporters: brian19fd (pc417)
Writer: brian19fd (pc417)
-Putnam Valley units arriving on scene to a 100lb propane tank leaking in rear of the home. After duration on scene, IC requested m/a from Westchester Tech Rescue, stating they needed assistance with shoring of the rear deck. The deck collapsed due to the weight of snow and lawn furnature, and came down onto the tank- due to the safety risk and concern of the workers needing to remove the tank, the deck needed to be stabilized. West TRT & Put Valley FD still on scene working together to shore the deck.
-23:02: IC24 stating the propane has been shut off and units should be on scene for approx 1/2 hr more
-23:38 IC24 stating all units cleared and back in service

Ah the lift assist! This run varies for us. The engine is often sent on an EMS assist when the bus is already on scene. This is not an EMS run for the engine, as they are not requesting any EMS services. These seem to run the gamut. Sometimes it is some who is so large that the two EMS workers cannot lift the stretcher from it's lowest position to one that will allow them to get the patient into the bus. Other times it's a person who has been placed in a stair chair, but they project elevators aren't working and they need help carrying this person down 20 flights. I've even responded to assist the M.E. with a 500 lb corpse. You never know.
This run, at least for the FDNY, turns us into simple, reliable grunt labor. Which is fine! EMS has it tough out there sometimes. They carry a lot of heavy equipment and it's often two people left all by their lonesome. 95% of the time, we're happy to help them out. You get the occasional person who hands off the patient and vanishes until you've arrived at the bus, but that's rare.
As for liability....well, if we didn't help do what had to be done to get them out, they'd be in deep trouble. So....

While passing through Pleasantville today, I spotted the new Tower Ladder 5, a 2010 KME 95'. Here are a couple quick pictures I was able to take while crews were familiarizing themselves in the operation of the tower ladder. Once the weather improves I will return to take some better photos.
Starting with the driver's side:

rear 3/4 shot

showing the width of the boom

spread of the outriggers

officer's side

hope these are a nice teaser until better weather and better placement

Beautifull truck! Best of luck to Pleasantville with it!

SOP is for the engine to stop with the back of the rig parallel to the entrance to the fire building, the men then stretch 1 3/4" or 2 1/2" into the building depending on the size and nature of the fire. The chauffeur then drives to the hydrant and connects or if this is not possible (because a truck blocked him out) he can be supplied or stretch 3 1/2" back to a previous hydrant. FDNY uses dead lays, nothing is preconnected, it is up to the control man to determine how much hose is needed, pull it, break the line, give it to the chauffeur and provide the chauffeur with the details of the stretch. The high rise packs are for use in high rise buildings with standpipe systems. These standpipe systems are supplied by either a gravity tank on the roof or a main fed pump, all of these systems can also be supplemented by an engine streching 3 1/2" hose to the siamese connection.

He was probably on scene. Im pretty sure he vollies at his school in addition to pville.

Potsdam, NY...14 inches forecasted today. Snow Drifts as deep at 7 feet. Cars in parking lots are completely covered by snow drifts. It's pretty funny looking actually.
Walkway behind my house...

I do not believe 18 or EMS and 21 for FD's is too young for drivers. With that said, I do feel that these must be filtered. Perhaps even more filtered than some agencies/department do. I do not think the number should be focuses on as much as the ability of the driver. Numbers are stupid and just provide a guideline. I know some young drivers that are very good drivers as well as some whom are not so good. There must be in depth driver training and certification requirements in agencies/departments. This process also must not be rushed through and all issues with someone driving must be addressed.
Our country trusts 18 year old to go into Iraq with a bunch of explosives and powerful guns and kill people to protect our freedom. We allow these same people to drive tanks that have the capabilities of running over vehicles, people, or the ability to blow up entire buildings, villages, cities etc. These same people should be able to drive fire trucks and ambulances.
On a side note, they should be able to drink to!!!

Well, I didn't want to sully up the Dutchess thread, but I've been wanting to say FACEBOOK SUCKS for a long time. Reading that thread just gave me a reason to say it here.
I'm kinda flabbergasted by some of the comments over there. There are quite a few career guys here who make it a point to NOT bash volunteers. I count myself in that group. I've made friends with guys from both sides of the equation through EMTBravo.
Seth, I think if you want to try and bring members back who may be MIA these days, a good place to start would be to eliminate the "rep scoreboard." I love giving out rep points. I have to say, I have felt very gratified that people respected some things I have had to say or post, and gave me points. But I feel like my position on the "scoreboard" makes people NOT respond to things I post now. KEEP THE REP POINTS. Just do away with the scoreboard. PLEASE. This way we can give a good post a positive boost, and everyone can feel equally respected when that happens.
I know a few very smart and wise firemen and officers who come on here. One is just starting to bring his knowledge to the board. He worked in some of the busiest fire companies in the world, and also served as a volunteer in every rank from fireman to Commissioner. He doesn't distinguish who he is passing his experience and knowledge on to, career or volunteer it doesn't matter. That's the way most of the guys I know with far more experience and knowledge than I will ever have approach the volunteer/career issue. And I have always chosen the same path, just don't tread on us, and we won't on you. It's just a mutual respect thing that's all.
And some volunteers shouldn't be so sensitive when a guy like Chief Flynn starts asking questions. Right away they take it as bashing. It is about trying to see improvement in delivery of service to the people we serve/d. Career guys fight to improve the fire service. Some guys are more "in your face" style than others. But those guys can teach you a lot if you can let your guard down.
In closing I'd like to say once more how much I think Facebook sucks.

Or your exhaust whistle! Bub Rubb and Lil Sis? "The whistles go woooo-woooooo. But it's only in the mo'nin, when we up cookin breakfis" Anyone?

Yes, that is the way the law is written but who doesn't apply a little bit of common sense and turn the damn noisebox off on a straight away with no intersections, no traffic, and no pedestrians at 2:30 in the morning?

I keep hearin' about this storm, but looking up the waterway, I still don't see nuthin' and the temperature keeps on arisin'...79... (Sorry you asked for photos... )

Interesting that you brought the topic of working with the other agencies that respond such as police and tow agencies. Our department just had a great lecture generously provided for us by one of our local sherrif's officers. He usually helps with the Fire Police course and was asked by our chief to come and address the issue of working together and what the Law Enforcement providers expect of us and vice versa. GREAT lecture. He discussed crime scenes, and accident re-creation teams and how we should handle the scenes, park our trucks, and help with traffic. He was professional and than allowed us to offer our own information. But he is also a volunteer firefighter, former captain and I was his Lieutenant so he knew that end of it anyway. But still, its good to know what the other agencies need to do for their jobs. I am thinking af inviting a tow agency representitive to our next mva drill so he/she can offer any input from a tow drivers perspective as well. Might be beneficial to us all.
Good topic. I believe it should only be removed if there will be an extended extrication and it will cause trouble or danger. And it should be removed properly with a wrench or socket. Takes the same amount of time and is less of a shock hazzard to an adrenaline charged firefighter that may cross the poles and get a lot more energy than they need...
Stay Safe.