JBJ1202

Barry,
Most of the frequencies you've listed are not part of our airport response. A single channel (A- OPS 5) is used by all fire and EMS units responding. County PD does operate on their own channel and are not in direct communication with units on OPS 5. An officer from WCPD will report to the command trailer as soon as one is available.
Fire 15, Fire 16, Fire 19, EMS 15, EMS 16, 46.06, 155.895, and 155.625 are used by the home agencies during their normal incident responses. I feel the standby today actually shows the opposite of what you are suggesting.
If this incident did escalate to an actual major emergency the number of channels utilized would expand based on need to the predetermined channels in the airport response plan.
JBJ

Barry,
Most of the frequencies you've listed are not part of our airport response. A single channel (A- OPS 5) is used by all fire and EMS units responding. County PD does operate on their own channel and are not in direct communication with units on OPS 5. An officer from WCPD will report to the command trailer as soon as one is available.
Fire 15, Fire 16, Fire 19, EMS 15, EMS 16, 46.06, 155.895, and 155.625 are used by the home agencies during their normal incident responses. I feel the standby today actually shows the opposite of what you are suggesting.
If this incident did escalate to an actual major emergency the number of channels utilized would expand based on need to the predetermined channels in the airport response plan.
JBJ

Great article just posted by my good friend...
Quad 8 Comes Home
Thanks CLM!

I am currently searching for the location of our 1957 Seagrave, designated Quad 8. The department sold it the late 90's, and all people can tell me is it was sold to a fire apparatus museum in south New Jersey. I thought I might turn to my Protection from the Past crew for any ideas on how to track her down.
Thank You
JBJ

I am currently searching for the location of our 1957 Seagrave, designated Quad 8. The department sold it the late 90's, and all people can tell me is it was sold to a fire apparatus museum in south New Jersey. I thought I might turn to my Protection from the Past crew for any ideas on how to track her down.
Thank You
JBJ

Time exposure photo taken by New City Fire Chief Ken Flynn of the fire as viewed from Iona Island.

From what I hear Quad 8 the 1957 Seagrave has made it home, back to Purchase, maybe JBJ1202 can fill us in on how he was able to pull this off ! GREAT JOB Chief ! P.S. it should have never left !

I am currently searching for the location of our 1957 Seagrave, designated Quad 8. The department sold it the late 90's, and all people can tell me is it was sold to a fire apparatus museum in south New Jersey. I thought I might turn to my Protection from the Past crew for any ideas on how to track her down.
Thank You
JBJ

I am currently searching for the location of our 1957 Seagrave, designated Quad 8. The department sold it the late 90's, and all people can tell me is it was sold to a fire apparatus museum in south New Jersey. I thought I might turn to my Protection from the Past crew for any ideas on how to track her down.
Thank You
JBJ

That would be a maple tree.

For over a century, researchers have debated whether or not wood exposed to long-term, low-temperature heat sources can exhibit spontaneous combustion. Vytenis Babrauskas, author of Ignition Handbook, argues that ignition is possible for wood building members exposed to temperatures as low as 77oC (170oF) for long time periods (months to years). Due to internal heating (self-heating), a reactive char forms under oxygen-deficient conditions and eventually ignites as oxygen enters newly-formed cracks. Examples that we may encounter in the field include wood floor/ceiling assemblies penetrated by steam/hot water supply pipes or ducts. For the sake of comparison, external heating applies to the ignition of wood exposed to higher temperatures of around 250oC (482oF) for periods no longer than a few hours. Most causes of fire probably fall under this category.
For the fire investigators and chief officers out there, have any of you determined that a fire was caused by self-heating or pyrophoric carbon? Conversely, does anybody think that long-term, low-temperature ignition of wood isn't possible? My knowledge is limited, but I understand that this topic is controversial in the fire investigation community. For more information, click the link below.
'Pyrophoric Carbon' and Long-term, Low-temperature Ignition of Wood

There is no hard and fast rule that consolidation of fire companies (in fire protection districts) and/or fire departments (in fire districts) into one larger district will lead to financial savings.
If paid employees are involved, and those employees have paid supervisors and paid managers and paid department heads, etc., etc., there is a good chance there could be cost savings with consolidation - that's why it might make sense to consolidate DPWs, PDs, school districts, etc.
With volunteer companies and departments - usually with no paid employees, it is a whole different financial ballgame to begin with and the only way to see if consolidation makes sense is to conduct a very, very thorough review of all the groups' financials, operating methods, SOGs, etc., and those financials would include everything plus the kitchen sink - mortgages, leases, investments, equipment ages and other asset valuations, and on and on - along with tax assessed valuations and rates.
In the meantime, the smart thing for all those fire companies and departments to do is constantly make extra, extra efforts to work together in every way possible. First thing is to stop worrying about sharing information. Like, how is it really going to hurt if you tell the officials of one company all about how you operate your own? Exactly what really important secrets do you have (especially in this day and age of FOILs)?
After getting past the fear of loss of power by sharing info, the next thing is to start planning a whole bunch of things together, especially automatic mutual aid - and that could very well include things like rearranging responses based on closest apparatus, combined with response analyses. For instance, it doesn't do much good to have truck A from company X always be the first due responder to location M in Y's area, because A is closer to M than Y's nearest truck, if truck A can only get manned quickly at night.
Along with all those automatic responses, don't forget you have to have written legal contracts with all parties to particular agreed response protocols - not just a verbal deal between chiefs (EXCEPT, the first step WILL probably be a verbal deal between Chiefs and notification by both to the dispatching agency, but many of the response deals will eventually have to involve written contracts or there will likely be many big problems with the taxpayers).
These sorts of arrangements will give members of all involved companies and departments quite some measure of comfort knowing there will be quick backup; will give residents more confidence they will get a rapid fire suppression response; and might well lead to improved ISO ratings - in turn leading to reduced fire insurance premiums. (Also, local insurance agents won't have to keep telling little white lies about exactly how far away the nearest fire apparatus that can be expected to respond is housed - often a problem technically because there are no contracts between the fire companies involved - the one in whose district the insured property is located and the one whose equipment is closer.)
When the companies and departments work at working together, they can often operate just as efficiently and effectively as might a consolidated district. It ain't easy though, and that's why it so often appears to be easier to just consolidate - truly a cop-out.
By the way, when legislation was adopted around 1934 creating the concept of fire districts and fire protection districts, most Towns were rural and the fire protection was provided by - and usually paid for by - volunteer organizations, and the Town governments were not paying them much, if anything at all. The District concept made it possible to create a payment method outside the Town government, and that was often extremely important.
Enough on that angle for now though - it is fodder for more study and commentary later.

Agreed and infact I think the VFD's will actually see more benefits in terms of manpower than the career depts.
Great questions.
1st Every community involved in a potential consolidation needs to be anylized. What FD resources already exist, Stations, apparatus, personnel. The road network and the call volume and type and the water system. If this is done well, honestly with no bias, then good planing can determine what the needs are and what direction to take the consolidation. Once there is a general agreement to consolidate, response patterns need to be set up and SOP's and training on how things need to work.
2nd to answer how it would work is not possible till #1 is completed. But I will give some possabilities;
in the case of the 14 call dept. I believe they are in a very unusual position. If I have the right FD, they are a very small village located within a very large park. They do not have any boardering FD's So they might not have the ability to consolidate and actually change anything.
Now as a hypothetical answer, if
Dept. "A" has 1 station with 2 engines and a ladder,
dept. "B" has 2 stations with 3 engines, 1 rescue and a ladder and
dept. "c" has 1 station with 3 engines and a rescue. They are all 1-2 square miles.
Consolidated dept XYZ might only need 3 engines (+ 1 spare), 1 Rescue and 1 ladder (+ 1 spare). And they only need 3 stations, but to keep everyone happy they might keep all 4. The new dept might look like this:
XYZ FD Co. "A" staffs 1 engine (they store the ladder as the dept spare)
XYZ FD Co. "B" staffs 1 engine, 1 rescue at one station
XYZ FD Co. "B2" staffs 1 ladder at the other station.
XYZ FD CO. "C" staffs 1 engine (they store an engine as the dept spare)
The responds 1 engine from the closest house for minor alarms. For MVA's add the rescue. For AFA, the closest 2 engines, 1 ladder & rescue. for reported fires; 3 engines, 1 ladder, 1 rescue from all houses.
Keep the spares fully supplied so they can be swapped or used in a major emergency. But we can now reduce the fleet by 4 engines & a rescue. Or maybe we convert the rescue to a collapse unit and convert 1 engine to a foam or special water supply unit.
Personnel wise, Co. "A" use to average 6 ff's staffing 3 rigs, now they are running a 6 man engine they had 100 calls in the old district, but now they also get more calls in the other 2. same concept holds true for the other companies. Also now that you have 3x the pool, you might be able to set up special ops. Foam, Tech rescue, hazmat, dive, etc.

God forbid the American public see such realities in the media.

Really!!! There is no need to apologize! You simply posed a simple question out of pure honest personal interest and curiosity that became a political s*** storm as usual. I appreciate EVERYONE’s thoughts and professional opinions, but to continue to turn every damn thing into a political push is ridiculous. Honestly thats what is a complete turn off on this site!
I agree personnell is by far extremly imparitive (No debate from me), but the kid was just asking a simple question. It would be nice to see a topic stick to the point rather then become argumentive.

Had an opportunity to use them briefly while we were getting a demo of the high pressure tools. Really liked them, didn't feel like I was losing much force. Almost identical in size to the hydraulic models. Seems to hold a charge for more than a few cuts. Looking to add one next year, but theyre expensive.
Croton Command, let me know when Stateline comes for the demo... I'll break out the map and take a ride.
JBJ

I am a volunteer firefighter /EMT and am also serving my country in the USAF. I am thinking about getting out of the military soon and am planning on take the test for the FDNY. It is really unfortunate that because of a small group of ppl that did not have the educational background to full fill their dream ruined it for those who made it in class 6019. Now I know that my pride as firefighter and as a Puerto Rican, it would piss me off that when I pass this new test for the FDNY. It will be cheapened by the fact that these ignorant ppl have lowered the bar so they could make it. I don’t know how they can live with themselves furthermore aspire to be fire fighters in the FDNY. This job is not for those faint of heart who will complain if it gets to hot or their tired, Giving up in this line of work is not an option. Sorry I got on my soap box but I love what I do and I hope to have the honor of working with all of you some day. GOD BLESS.

I'd like to thank Loopy31 for posting an accurate account of what happened on Saturday. Sometimes people are so desperate for information that they take the first thing they see and run with it. Incredible how a person listening to transmissions on a scanner is cited before members who were at the scene. Not saying that people listening and posting were being malicious, just saying its easy to miss something or misinterpret transmissions.
JBJ

I'd like to thank Loopy31 for posting an accurate account of what happened on Saturday. Sometimes people are so desperate for information that they take the first thing they see and run with it. Incredible how a person listening to transmissions on a scanner is cited before members who were at the scene. Not saying that people listening and posting were being malicious, just saying its easy to miss something or misinterpret transmissions.
JBJ

Yes, the IC made the request to 60 Control for the helo. This was based on the recommendation from 36M1 who went thru the chain of command and asked for it.
The first ambulance was on the scene almost at the same time as 2641 and I. They came up to the scene and got buried by our Rescue and some MTA PD units. Instead of wasting time, I requested the 2nd ambulance to transport the patient to the LZ. As 7586 said, we didn't need it, as we were able to move the vehicles so 55B1 could transport to the LZ.

The guys at work had informed me there were some questions about this incident Tuesday at Harmon Yards, so I figure I'll give a little insight.
17:44 - 60 Control dispatched Croton EMS, 36M1, R18 & E120 for a party hit by a train.
17:45 - 2082 & 2641 responding. 2082 asking if party is still under train, 60 advising he is, E119 added to the run.
17:48 - 2641 & 2082 on locaton, confirming one male under a locomotive car. Requesting power and train traffic shut down.
17:49 - 2082 assuming command, requesting Montrose R51 for additional air bags & euipment.
17:51 - 60 advising command that R51 not available, Command requested R16 from Yorktown.
17:52 - Command requesting availability of Medevac, 60 Control reports they are at WMC and available.
17:54 - Air 2 launching, 10 minute ETA. E119 ground contact, landing at Croton Point ballfield.
18:01 - Command reports all hands working, request E225 from Montrose VA on any additional Croton calls.
18:02 - Command reports one male patient, about 55 years old, Level 1 Trauma, extensive injuries, but conscious per 36M1.
18:06 - Command requesting 2nd Ambulance, 55B1 blocked in by FD units.
18:08 - Air 2 on the ground, E119 transporting crew to the scene.
18:14 - Command reports patient extricated from under train, being packaged and in care of EMS.
18:17 - Command placing incident under control.
18:27 - Yorktown units in service.
18:28 - E120 released from the scene, resume normal dispatch of CFD.
18:50 - 2082 reports all CFD units clear of the scene, command terminated and turned over to MTA PD.
As far as the Fire Brigade, they're mostly there for fire incidents (usually normal business hours) and will work with us, normally telling us what we can and can't do on the rails and with the trains. They're a great asset when it comes to that.
Extra training - I wouldn't call it "extra" training, but we routinely do training with the air bags like all of our other equipment, and we usually do an annual or biennial training with Metro-North.
Hope that answers some questions for you.

Another well written article that will fall on the deaf ears of the few. The average citizen, of all races and backgrounds, is not in favor of this ruling. Let merit prevail! I'm so sick of the whining and complaining when things aren't just handed to you in this city. Last week I was sickened watching the NY City Council hearing on the snow storm. Councilmembers wanted to know why Public Housing wasn't adequately plowed and shoveled...uh, to the residents: You get what you (don't)pay for. Other council members wanted to know why people in the "Welfare to Work" program weren't getting paid by sanitation when they showed up to shovel. Uh....'cause you're already getting public assistance and shoveling a little snow for it isn't the worst thing ever. Along the same lines, I love how the FDNY should mirror the population that it serves, like it has some obligation to offer city residents jobs. What? I always thought it was to hire the best from the candidate pool and provide the best possible service. Where would I get a crazy idea like that!?
Guess what!? Life isn't fair. You get an equal shot, a fair written exam. Actually, it's more than fair, it's a veritable bunt! However, someone loses! That's that. In fact, most people lose and you can't please everyone. End of story.
The Judge is still holding onto the final decision, impeding the city's ability to appeal. They will as soon as they have the ability.
***Crack*** There goes my soap box! Thanks for listening, rant over.

Have we really become that much of a nation of whiners and publicity hounds that even an event as justified as the elimination of an avowed terrorist and virulently anti-American murderer causes some to be "offended" and get on the news? Let's put this in perspective
There are some upset because his codename was Geronimo. It's just a commonly used phrase and well known name, easily recognizble by everyone, not an anti Native American slur. Do people really have that much free time on their hands that they can sit and dwell on the meaning of a code name? C'mon get real will ya and go find something better to complain about.
Now an even hotter topic, whether or not he was armed...WHO CARES!!! Did this hero of so many radical Islamic murderers care whether or not the thousands he has or had murdered were armed or could defend themselves? NO he didn't, as a matter of fact he relied on the fact they weren't and preyed on the innocent just as all terrorists do. A clean quick kill for this coward is almost too good an end to this waste of human flesh. I'm quite sure many of us would have liked to have seen a much slower and excruciatingly painful demise for this "leader". To those that have a problem with the manner of his death, get over it and be thankful it was quick and he wasn't given a more fitting final few years of suffering.
And now on to his burial at sea. Again he was afforded much more respect than he ever gave to any one of his victims. Did he care that thousands were simply obliterated at Ground Zero, with no trace for the familes? NO again he counted on that. So he sleeps with the fishes, big deal. He got his immediate burial of his cleaned corpse as is Muslim custom, he got much more respect than he ever gave others or deserved. Stop whining and rejoice that he is DEAD, DEAD DEAD just as he shoud be.
And finally for all those who see his rightful removal from the face of the earth this as an increase in the risk that we, as Americans, face in this world...WAKE THE HELL UP!!!!. Osama bin Laden did not invent anti Americanism, radicalism or terrorism, he only benefited and gained notoriety from them. His death will have no great impact on the desire of those radical and militant elements in this world that want to harm us.
To Osama bin Laden GOOD RIDDANCE SCUMBAG and MAY YOU ROT IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY
Remain vigilant America and remember freedom is not free.
Thank you Obama
Thank you SEAL team six and all that serve our nation in the Military
And
God Bless America
Cogs

Lets throw another wrinkle into this. 1st its not that Pelham will not provide additional taxes, in reality they can't. Because the population is so small, the per capita costs to improve are never going to happen. The real issue for Pelham, Pelham Manor and any other small community FD or understaffed FD (career, combo or vol.) is ISO's plan to change the rating system this year.
Under the new plan, any dept that responds to fire calls with fewer than 6 firefighters (2 in / 2 out, MPO & IC) will automatically become an ISO 9.
What does this mean for Pelham?
Annual insurance premiums for commercial and residential properties in Pelham is approximately $5.1 million. In Pelham Manor the premiums are approximately $5.9 million. Combined, the property owners in Pelham and Pelham Manor pay roughly $11 million per year in premiums.
Both PFD & PMFD are ISO PPC 4's. If the 2 depts do not restructure the way the respond to fire so the have at least 4 interior qulified members + an MPO & IC, Both villages will see the ISO change them to 9 and the insurance premiums will go up by 40% per year. Thats a combined increas of $4.4 MILLION.
This increase is more than the current combined budget of the 2 fire departments.
Meanwhile the Pelham Village Mayor and Board are considering reducing manning.
I suspect nothing will change until the ISO rating does and then the finger pointing at village hall will begin.

With everything that is going on today in the fire service the last thing we should be worrying about is a museum. There isn't enough money to go around as it is, and anyone with the free time to contribute to a museum could use that time to lobby for things that we actually need in the fire service. If we keep wasting our time on things like this that are trivial to our profession we are going to be creating some new exhibits for this museum. Hey kids look at the adequate staffing exhibit, that was back when we worried about manpower and doing our job safely and effectively. How about an exhibit detailing all the things we fought for and then rolled over and slept while they were taken away, like good benefits, collective bargaining rights, merit based employment, and presumptive health bills. People have it out for the fire service right now and we need to focus on protecting what we have fought for rather than waste time and money waxing nostalgic about what used to be. Take care of the futures of you and your brothers before you worry about all the buffs who want to gawk at an antique pumper. Tradition is great and its an important part of the fire service and emergency services in general, but we need to protect ourselves and the profession that has allowed this tradition to be passed on otherwise it is going to disappear forever.