firedude

To all the FDNY members on this site- you don't know how lucky we are/were, with the FDNY shops and radio repair,etc. The field crew (on-duty FDNY mechanics who respond to qtrs for app repairs) has always been top-notch. They try to repair whatever they can, to prevent you having to get a spare and change over the rig (PAIN in the ASS, esp. for the engine co., with all the hose to change over.The radio repair guys come to qtrs to fix any problems with the mobile data terminal (MDT) or siren or app radio; the tire repair guys respond to wherever you end up with a flat, and throw on a new tire. I dare say that most career depts. on this site aren't that lucky?!
I recall many years ago, when I "vested/retired" from FDNY and got a job as a shift commander in a west coast Florida county FD. The rigs were in fairly poor condition, and anytime there was a problem with one of the pieces, we had to tow it/drive it to the county repair shop, where they repaired all county vehicles- there was no specific "fire apparatus mechanic". Needless to say, the rigs were not always repaired correctly. After 8 months there, I was lucky enough to get back on FDNY. It was quite an experience,looking back. One of the better firefighters on my shift (who grew up on LI) asked me one day-"Cap, why did you leave the "Yankees" to come play with the "Port charlotte RedHens"? I asked myself that question every day until I got back to the Big Apple. Nothing beats playing with the Big Guys!

I could set up a tour of the FDNY Shops for EMTBravo sometime soon.
Most likely a Sunday morning. Anyone interested?

Appears Eastchester PD has taken delivery of two new Dodge Chargers and two new Ford Police Interceptors (old style) with a new paint scheme.

New cruiser put into service following the Memorial Day Parade yesterday.

As a Past President and a Chairman of the Fairchester Hose Hauler's Muster at Croton Point Park, I would like to offer the following advice for thought:
If you are considering a County Park site (Kensico, etc.) or any site for that matter then it is important that the first Muster be as successful as possible in order to keep the host and attendees enthusiastic and locked in for the future. That being said, I would strongly recommend that the commitee focus on a date for next year. A successful muster takes a lot of logistics planning, equipment and people and cannot be just thrown together by a handful of people in a short time. You want to come into it with your "A" game and plan, thoroughly publicize and execute a memorable event that will make everyone want more.
The Fairchester Hose Haulers Muster was nationally known because it was put on by a group of hard working, dedicated individuals who focused on maintaining high standards that did not erode over time. The only reason it ended was because some members of the core group moved away, others wanted a break and there was no "young blood" willing to do the hard work.
Alan M.
Past President
Fairchester Hose Haulers Association

Last week, RWC130 hooked me up with a visit to the FDNY Shops. The building is massive, it makes the tillers parked in there looked small. Hard to really appreciate how big it is in a photo. The construction is also pretty cool, the roof is bowed, but concrete with no columns. The foundation is designed to support the bowed concrete roof. I was given an article on the construction, and it was very modern and progressive building at the time (1940's). It was a "Z-D" system designed by the architects. And the shops are pretty clean, well kept, and well equipped compared to other repair facilities I've seen. It also it very bright, it has skylights and, when it was built, had the largest fluorescent light system in NYC.
Anyways, the shop is massive, and can fix just about anything. It is an amazing place, not just the apparatus, but the shops and mechanics and all the tools and equipment they have. It was also neat to see all the apparatus in different states of repair, and being able to compare the brand new Ferrara and Seagrave ladders to the older ones. FDNY apparatus is increasingly very progressive and has a lot of user friendly ideas and capabilities.
Here are some photos.Sorry about the quality, I'm not really good at shooting indoors, especially with the type of lights they had there and the way everything was positioned. Also, I'm more interested in the specs then the just the apparatus.






The former Ladder 10, stripped of the mural and going into the spare pool

Engine 626 (More Photos To Come)

Replacing both Engine 1 1983 Pierce Duplex and Engine 2 1976 Ford Oren

Date: 5/17/13
Time: Approximately 1830 Hours
Incident Type: Train Derailment
Location: Metro North Lines near Commerce Drive in Bridgeport
Units: Bridgeport FD, AMR, MTA Police, Bridgeport PD, Fairfield FD, MTA FD
Frequency:
Weather Conditions: Clear
Reporters: SageVigiles

Description:
Sounds like 1 Metro-North train derailed and struck a second on the opposite track. Mass Casualty declared, 2 triage points set up. Command (Batt 2) just gave an update, all but 2 patients removed at this time, triage ongoing.
MTA has shut down the power, still wires burning over the trains.
BFD Car 1 and Deputy 2 en route.
1901: Command recalling the alarm, all patients removed and undergoing triage/transport. Leaving 1 and 1 on scene to assist MTA and EMS.

The PCSO has been using these for several months now. This the first one I have been able to photograph (with my cell phone). Looks sharp

Date: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 - Squad 4 On Duty
Time: 1458 Hours
Incident Type:
District:
Location: 55B Locust Ave
Units: NRFD Engines 21, 22, 23, 24, Tower Ladder 11, Ladder 12, Cars 2301, 2302, 2305. NREMS 30-Alpha-2, 3015. NRPD.
Frequency:
Weather Conditions:
Reporters: EFD1883
Description: 3E Apartment Fire. 2 L/S/O and in Opertation.
1458-NRFD Dispatch To Above Address For Report Of Heavy Smoke On The #3rd Floor.
1502-10-75 Transmitted Per Car 2302.
1511- Engine 25 and Ladder 13 Re-Locate To Station #1 Harrison St.
1514-All Visible Fire K/D and Checking For Extension.
1528-Under Control Per Car 2302.

TransCare does in fact run a "Organ Donor Team". TransCare utilizes a Ford, Expedtion/Flex/Explorer and a van for this program.
The team runs all over the Metro area and has been seen as far North as Vassar Brothers in Poughkeepsie. The team runs in conjunction with a lot of the hospitals in the city and Westchester area.
As far as running lights and sirens anyone in the Emergency Services knows what it takes and how time sensitive harvesting organs can be. It is rather ignorant for anyone to say that ANY company is abusing the lights and sirens until you know for a fact what the units job description is.
I have attached a picture of one of the vehicles, they all have the same exact sceme.
If anyone would like facts and not opinions or "factpinions" (I like that one) please let me know.
There is also a little info here> http://www.inside-healthcare.com/index.php/featured-reports/1095-transcare-corporation

From Facebook

the GCT FIre/EMS cart was out and pre-staged at Track 36.

Red Carpet treatment

The Hickory Creek, a 1947 observation car for the 20th Century Limited

the Tonawanda Valley built in 1928 for the New York Central

Parts of Metro North's Inspection train, which were buil;t in 1949 for the Erie Lackawanna "Phoebe Snow" train

This weekend Metro North, as part of its year celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Grand Central Terminal held a Parade of Trains. Various locomotives and cars that have been used in the past by predecessor railroads such as the New York Central railroad, and equipment used today were on display.
First up was this Electro Motive Diesel FL-9, ordered by the New Haven Railroad in 1960. It was painted into New York Central colors in 1999 to celebrate 150 years of the Hudson River Railroad. It was retired in in 2000 and donated to he Danbury Railway Museum

Next was ACMU 1171 Air Conditioned Multiple Unit, originally ordered by the New York Central in 1962 from the Pullman Standard Co.

Th ACMUs were retired in 2004. Here is a view of the operators controls, which seem primitive when compared to todays equipment

SFRS... am I the only one that sees a resemblance?

PS My aunt is doing much better, she's awake and alert. Her color has returned and most of her vitals are good. She's still on a ventilator in the Trauma ICU, but she's definitely doing a lot better than she was yesterday.

Empress EMS 301
2013 Ford E-450 6.8 L Gas/AEV Traumahawk 148" Type III
One of two delivered, also two Type II Vans were delivered as well. They should be in service shortly. This one is at Putnam Window Tint for lettering, and after radio installation and outfitting with equipment, should be in service shortly.

Anything we can do to start reversing the trade and debt imbalance between us and the Chinese is good...

Making a regionalized "County Fire District" is an easy way around those rules, right??? You are still only forming a fire district yet this one would be county wide and easier managed.
I believe that is the only thing that will save our county fire service here. My department has only 9 interior qualified firefighters, 6 of us are officers yet you go 10 minutes south of us and they have over 50 members, 3 engines, tanker, heavy rescue, 95' tower, brush unit, gator rescue atv, 2 ambulances, ALS fly car/captains vehicle and average 500-600 calls a year. We can barely get 3-4 FF's to a call with 2-3 rigs and they can cover two calls at once (have seen them do it). Regionalize our county and half of their members instantly became eligible to respond to our station for calls to get rigs out the door faster with more qualified personnel then before. I see nothing wrong with that! And I am an assistant chief of my department, I could care less if another larger department, more qualified with more trained members and better equipment comes in and takes over my sandbox...I will still be in the box playing, just with more friends and better toys!

Dinosaur:
"Those laws are easily amended IF there's a drive to do so. Nobody is going to go out and do it unless they're being lobbied to and right now all the lobbying is AGAINST consolidation/regionalization." (Sorry the quot got cut off)
They do not prevent it, they just make it very difficult or if you are looking for an excuse not to do it, its a great excuse.
Well said

*Spy Shot* Yonkers PD Car 900 2013 Ford Police Interceptor SUV

All the Parades (and other Fire Dept Events) that I am aware of have already been posted to the Emtbravo.net calendar.
A few upcoming Parades:
Bedford Hills:
Saturday May 18th
Pleasantville:
Friday May 31st
Yorktown:
Wednesday June 26th
Mamaroneck
Tuesday July 2nd
Mahopac:
Thursday July 11th
South Salem:
Wednesday August 7th
WCVFA (To be held in Rye Brook/Port Chester this year)
Sunday September 22nd