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+/- $5,000.00 for a 3,000 SF house.

Go Modern, Go Gas, Go Boom.
When I monitor the radio, I often hear requests for Con-Ed for either gas issues or electrical service issues that require immediate assistance to mitigate an problem that is hampering the firefighting operation. The initial calls are usually followed by requests for updates on their time of arrival, then followed with a response that is non committal. You know, they'll get there when they get there.
Why doesn't Con-Ed have a 24/7 emergency response vehicle (lights and siren) with specially trained technicians and equipment to respond to fire calls with gas or electrical service issues?

You know, when I see the country about to go to a 20 TRILLION dollar debt ceiling and taxes keep going up and up, its hard to understand how any department can have less than industry standard staffing. Really, where does all the money go?
I had to kill some time on Saturday so I stopped at a County fire station. 1 Engine, 1 Tanker, 1 Brush Truck and 1 Ambulance.........2 firefighters. The next nearest station is not manned at all. The paid are supplemented by volunteers. By the way, pay down here (Rural Georgia) is about $11-$14 dollars per hour.
And, if you're fortunate enough to get a grant, when the grant money is gone, so are your extra firefighters.
With the notable exception of our major cities, are our first responders really capable of handing what's coming?

Sorry, but no. Not why we need a bailout system. This is why we need ground ladders placed quickly and efficiently. Among other things.
Looking at that video, there were many things to do before bailing out.
Am I advocating for not having bailout systems, no?
But, that room didn't flash in a matter of seconds. It was free burning and finally got to him. Get to an area of refuge, close a door, do a window hang until the ladder arrives.
Bailouts and survival should be part of our training, but watching that video, my first thought was not, I wished he had a bailout kit. It was, I wished his boys had placed ground ladders like good operators and truckies should. But once that didn't happen...yes...It was time to bail.
Play heads up, don't get caught in the first place..

You know, when I see the country about to go to a 20 TRILLION dollar debt ceiling and taxes keep going up and up, its hard to understand how any department can have less than industry standard staffing. Really, where does all the money go?
I had to kill some time on Saturday so I stopped at a County fire station. 1 Engine, 1 Tanker, 1 Brush Truck and 1 Ambulance.........2 firefighters. The next nearest station is not manned at all. The paid are supplemented by volunteers. By the way, pay down here (Rural Georgia) is about $11-$14 dollars per hour.
And, if you're fortunate enough to get a grant, when the grant money is gone, so are your extra firefighters.
With the notable exception of our major cities, are our first responders really capable of handing what's coming?

Completely wasted space behind the cab, how about some type of enclosure with bench seating to aid in evacuation and why not all wheel drive instead of two wheel so it can go in the snow, speaking of which how about a plow attachment and a winch.
Sounds like they had money for dump trucks not specialized vehicles and this is the best they could do. Another waste of taxpayer money.

Pocantico goes out to Sleepy Hollow fairly regularly.
I still don't understand the MA/Coverage calls though. Last night in Briarcliff, Millwood provided their only ladder to the scene rather than Ossining, which has two. Then, for coverage, Chappaqua provided their only ladder rather than Ossining. Engine to the scene is Ossining, for coverage Pleasantville. Makes sense even if its vice versa. But why not have Archville at least stand by in quarters while Scarborough E92 is going to be in service for an extended period such as last night?
At Ossining's South Highland Ave. fire Pleasantville proved a ladder for coverage, Millwood an engine. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Main Street fire Montrose provided a ladder, Millwood an engine for coverage. Buchanan provided the cascade. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Charter Circle fire it was a Fast from Thornwood after Croton's Fast went to work, Croton's Ladder for coverage and an engine from Sleepy Hollow after Millwoods engine for coverage was diverted to the scene. (Briarcliff's cascade was already assisting).
Usually it's Sleepy Hollow providing a ladder to Ossining. I can only assume that 60 Control is dispatching according to protocols and current conditions as they exist about the County. And, believe me, it's a lot more orderly and efficient now that dispatch is centralized.

Completely wasted space behind the cab, how about some type of enclosure with bench seating to aid in evacuation and why not all wheel drive instead of two wheel so it can go in the snow, speaking of which how about a plow attachment and a winch.
Sounds like they had money for dump trucks not specialized vehicles and this is the best they could do. Another waste of taxpayer money.

In prior posts I mentioned the possibility of adjoining departments assigning a specific dedicated engine with a four man crew for a daytime shift M-F to respond to any call in either jurisdiction. You would only need two persons from each dept. each day, thereby spreading the load. It guarantees a quick response with a full crew and enhances the relationship between the departments and their personnel. Alternate firehouses on a weekly basis.

If you are looking for common sense, forget about it. I recently moved to an area covered by a volunteer department. I stopped by the station, 1/2 mile from my home on the same street, to inquire about membership. I was told that my NY credentials were not recognized in GA. One day an engine came up the street, responding, when it passed my house it was not the local dept, but the neighboring paid department. I have seen them responding into our area several other times.
So, I'm usually available 24/7, have lots of training, 30+ years of experience as an EMT, Officer, Driver, Interior Firefighter, but they can't use me and they also can't get their apparatus on the road 100% of the time either.

Pocantico goes out to Sleepy Hollow fairly regularly.
I still don't understand the MA/Coverage calls though. Last night in Briarcliff, Millwood provided their only ladder to the scene rather than Ossining, which has two. Then, for coverage, Chappaqua provided their only ladder rather than Ossining. Engine to the scene is Ossining, for coverage Pleasantville. Makes sense even if its vice versa. But why not have Archville at least stand by in quarters while Scarborough E92 is going to be in service for an extended period such as last night?
At Ossining's South Highland Ave. fire Pleasantville proved a ladder for coverage, Millwood an engine. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Main Street fire Montrose provided a ladder, Millwood an engine for coverage. Buchanan provided the cascade. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Charter Circle fire it was a Fast from Thornwood after Croton's Fast went to work, Croton's Ladder for coverage and an engine from Sleepy Hollow after Millwoods engine for coverage was diverted to the scene. (Briarcliff's cascade was already assisting).
Usually it's Sleepy Hollow providing a ladder to Ossining. I can only assume that 60 Control is dispatching according to protocols and current conditions as they exist about the County. And, believe me, it's a lot more orderly and efficient now that dispatch is centralized.

Pocantico goes out to Sleepy Hollow fairly regularly.
I still don't understand the MA/Coverage calls though. Last night in Briarcliff, Millwood provided their only ladder to the scene rather than Ossining, which has two. Then, for coverage, Chappaqua provided their only ladder rather than Ossining. Engine to the scene is Ossining, for coverage Pleasantville. Makes sense even if its vice versa. But why not have Archville at least stand by in quarters while Scarborough E92 is going to be in service for an extended period such as last night?
At Ossining's South Highland Ave. fire Pleasantville proved a ladder for coverage, Millwood an engine. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Main Street fire Montrose provided a ladder, Millwood an engine for coverage. Buchanan provided the cascade. (Croton Fast and Briarcliff Cascade were already assisting).
At the Charter Circle fire it was a Fast from Thornwood after Croton's Fast went to work, Croton's Ladder for coverage and an engine from Sleepy Hollow after Millwoods engine for coverage was diverted to the scene. (Briarcliff's cascade was already assisting).
Usually it's Sleepy Hollow providing a ladder to Ossining. I can only assume that 60 Control is dispatching according to protocols and current conditions as they exist about the County. And, believe me, it's a lot more orderly and efficient now that dispatch is centralized.

If you are looking for common sense, forget about it. I recently moved to an area covered by a volunteer department. I stopped by the station, 1/2 mile from my home on the same street, to inquire about membership. I was told that my NY credentials were not recognized in GA. One day an engine came up the street, responding, when it passed my house it was not the local dept, but the neighboring paid department. I have seen them responding into our area several other times.
So, I'm usually available 24/7, have lots of training, 30+ years of experience as an EMT, Officer, Driver, Interior Firefighter, but they can't use me and they also can't get their apparatus on the road 100% of the time either.

If you are looking for common sense, forget about it. I recently moved to an area covered by a volunteer department. I stopped by the station, 1/2 mile from my home on the same street, to inquire about membership. I was told that my NY credentials were not recognized in GA. One day an engine came up the street, responding, when it passed my house it was not the local dept, but the neighboring paid department. I have seen them responding into our area several other times.
So, I'm usually available 24/7, have lots of training, 30+ years of experience as an EMT, Officer, Driver, Interior Firefighter, but they can't use me and they also can't get their apparatus on the road 100% of the time either.

If you are looking for common sense, forget about it. I recently moved to an area covered by a volunteer department. I stopped by the station, 1/2 mile from my home on the same street, to inquire about membership. I was told that my NY credentials were not recognized in GA. One day an engine came up the street, responding, when it passed my house it was not the local dept, but the neighboring paid department. I have seen them responding into our area several other times.
So, I'm usually available 24/7, have lots of training, 30+ years of experience as an EMT, Officer, Driver, Interior Firefighter, but they can't use me and they also can't get their apparatus on the road 100% of the time either.

If you are looking for common sense, forget about it. I recently moved to an area covered by a volunteer department. I stopped by the station, 1/2 mile from my home on the same street, to inquire about membership. I was told that my NY credentials were not recognized in GA. One day an engine came up the street, responding, when it passed my house it was not the local dept, but the neighboring paid department. I have seen them responding into our area several other times.
So, I'm usually available 24/7, have lots of training, 30+ years of experience as an EMT, Officer, Driver, Interior Firefighter, but they can't use me and they also can't get their apparatus on the road 100% of the time either.

Isn't this just a clarification that the particular officer is responding on a specific piece of apparatus and not independently in a Dept. issued officers vehicle or POV?

Yea, with an active power source I don't think this would qualify as 'spontaneous combustion'.

In some rural areas, the major apparatus can be 15 or more minutes behind a chief officer responding directly to the scene. It may not put out a barn fire, but it may prevent a small fire from getting out of control or it may provide cover to effect a rescue.
It's not an answer to all things but a useful tool for some things.

In some rural areas, the major apparatus can be 15 or more minutes behind a chief officer responding directly to the scene. It may not put out a barn fire, but it may prevent a small fire from getting out of control or it may provide cover to effect a rescue.
It's not an answer to all things but a useful tool for some things.

In some rural areas, the major apparatus can be 15 or more minutes behind a chief officer responding directly to the scene. It may not put out a barn fire, but it may prevent a small fire from getting out of control or it may provide cover to effect a rescue.
It's not an answer to all things but a useful tool for some things.

In some rural areas, the major apparatus can be 15 or more minutes behind a chief officer responding directly to the scene. It may not put out a barn fire, but it may prevent a small fire from getting out of control or it may provide cover to effect a rescue.
It's not an answer to all things but a useful tool for some things.

i think one of the reasons volunteer departments have a recruitment issue is that, yes, many residents who have moved into the northern communities came from areas protected by paid departments and they are oblivious to their local department's make up. The more wealthy the northern communities have become, the less likely their residents will have the time or inclination to join. I actually had a resident give me the "i pay your salary" speech one day.
In the 'old days' we only had the siren or a plectron in the house. If you were in your car you were out of luck, in the yard you might hear a firehouse or remote siren. Pagers significantly changes all that but we still used the sirens.
But now that every single call warrants a response, some departments are still blowing the house siren for every 'bullshit' call, and you know the kind of calls I'm referring to. If you have a confirmed working fire, knock yourself out, but if you have an automatic alarm come in at 4:00 am do you really need to blow the house siren? Who is that siren going to reach at 4:00 am that the pager won't?

Sounds about right for today. Make an effort to save someone of their loved ones, human or otherwise, get an unhappy result, get sued. Glad I'm 'retired'.

Really? You need a bill now for the obvious I can recall at least four specific incidents over the years where we rescued and/or treated dogs at the scene. At the time there wasn't any hesitation to do so or concern that it wasn't 'legal' to do so.