FF398

I recently read that Thornwood FD basically donated their former Engine 290, which was replaced a few months ago by a new Sutphen engine, to a department in Maine.
Not only did they donate the engine, but they stuffed it full of surplus equipment.
I know there are some other Westchester fire companies that have done the same (such as Millwood and Harrison, off the top of my head). Given how most Westchester departments have plenty of funds for new apparatus, it's nice to see some donate their surplus apparatus to the many departments in need in THIS country. And, also not letting their old equipment pile up in a storage room and collect dust.

Yonkers FD has one of the most up todate fleet of Reserve Apparatus in the County. The apparatus are fully equipped and ready to roll.

Well if we are going to talk about it what rules were violated?

Best Line " cancel the truck save it for the parade"

The first of the five new Ferrara rescues being constructed for FDNY is finished and will be assigned to Rescue 5. Here are a few photos of it on display at the Long Island Fire, Rescue & EMS Mega Show, which is going on this weekend at Nassau Coliseum. My apologies for the "cluttered" and blurry shots. Was very difficult to get a good shot with all the people around, and a "point and shoot" job doesn't always get along with sub-par lighting situations. But, until the rig is delivered and the "experts" get access to it, these will have to do.

Here are some of the pictures "Mrs." SteveOFD took of Monday mornings fire.

The 5" supply line from the hydrant toward the scene.

Just short of the scene.

There was snow to contend with that morning.

Ladder 42 working at maybe it's last job.

Crew operating on the D side.

Engine 97 dropped it's whole hosebed.

Engine 96 pumping from a larger main from Wolden Road up Underhill Road.

The 5" line coming up Underhill Rd. from Engine 96.

The 5" line continues up Underhill Rd.

The 5" line up to Engine 99 for relay.

Engine 99 at the relay pumping to Engine 97. Approximately 800' from Engine 96, and then approximately 700' to Engine 97.
Mrs. SteveOFD walked up to the scene to ask if I wanted my camera. I told her I was working the job (at E99 pumping), but if she wanted to take some pictures she could. These pictures were taken as any civilian could have, she was granted no special access beyond what any civilian could have gotten.

Great turnout by PD, FD and EMS for the funeral of Poughkeepsie Police Det. John Falcone in Carmel.

If Buchanan was only called for their cascade unit, there is no reason those responding on it have to be strucutal firefighters, since that is not what they were called for. Other cascade units in Westchester respond staffed by non-firefighters (Greenburgh CD comes to mind).
If manpower is needed (this isn't specific to this call or to Montrose so don't jump down my throat) then an IC can and usually does call for it. Sounded like enough personnel were there to handle this fire, so stop the hating.
16fire5 - you're right, people have to right to ask about an incident to learn from it, but if people are on here just to "stir the pot," nobody benefits from that. And you are a smart enough guy to realize when that pot is being stirred. There are far fewer incident discussions, photos shared or even discussions of any kind on here anymore because everyone is a critic and a lot of these "critics" have personal agendas.
As far as I'm concerned, "all the chips fell into place" for this fire. I've been to a few fires caused in the same manner as this one, and they've resulted in the destruction of rooms and total homes. The homeowner was fortunate that someone drove by and saw the fire, got her out of the house, the FD had a quick response and the fire was mostly contained to the exterior of the home.
She's lucky and Montrose deserve's a pat on the back. Ignore the haters.

Sounds like a great stop by Montrose FD. Good work!

Watch Hill Road is in Montrose and Mohegan's Fire Districts. If it was in Mohegan, I am 99% sure that's who would have been dispatched.
As for the other questions, wasn't there and wasn't my fire, so I'm not in any place to comment.
Damage was minimal, occupants were OK and no firefighters were hurt - a success from my stand point.

1. While Watch Hill Road maybe in Mohegan, it is 5 minutes or 2.5 miles away from Montrose FD HQ, the nearest Mohegan Fire House is 8 minutes for 3.6 miles away
2. U-12 is a utility with the cascade system that is requested to all fires in the tri-village. It is not a front line piece of apparatus (I.e. ambulance, rescue, ladder or engine), it is more of a scene support vehicle therefore it is understandable that it would respond with no interior members. Sounds like a great job for one of life members who still wants to help out and can drive and operate the cascade system.
3. One would need to ask the chief on scene, but 14 minutes is too long to wait for a FAS Team
4. One would need to ask the chief on scene, however the VAFD has primary responsibility for their campus, it is possible they too were tied up
5. One would need to ask the chief on scene, however Peekskill is further away and I would be willing to bet the same guarantee for manpower.
I am sorry this was not that unusual/out of line/controversial for you.

Makes it easier to sneak up on those pesky fires.
Serioulsy I don't get it. Perhaps a well known chief from one of the more "popular" departments can chime in being that he is a member here. He runs around AOR in an unmarked black Suburban or Expedition. Perhaps he can answer these questions.

Yes, colors are important. Red stands out, chevrons stand out. A maltese on a door and a town name is not apart of that visibility package.

The lettering on emergency vehicles is not what makes them visible, it's their emergency lights. CT State troopers have no lettering on their vehicles. Does that make them more dangerous / less visible when responding lights and sirens? I don't think so. Whether you like it or not, I don't think you can argue that it is a safety issue.
That being said, I don't see the point. It makes it less likely to be spotted by civilians who need to "flag down" an emergency vehicle, (as rare as they may be)

Riverside Hose of Tarrytown is expecting delivery of a Crimson Rescue Pumper. Here are some spy shots of the current progress. More photos can be seen at Crimson Fire.

Photo of New Ladder 50

Harrison Fire just took delivery of there new 2011 Tahoe. The car is replacing the old 2163 Ford Expedition. I will be trying to obtain some more photos of the interior.

Interesting concept using the "ghost" lettering. I like it.

Photos of Thornwood's Engine 88 and Pleasantville's Tower Ladder 5

Try this:
Simply say, "Like a good neighbor, WCDES is there!" on 46.26. Poof, the units show up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I79Jmgb8nyw

What are They? How does one request them? What is the response time? and who responds with them? ??????????????????

Other Than Public Safety Displays And Parades What Is The Purpose Of The Westchester County DES Field Communication Unit ? A LOT Of Federal Funds Were Spent On This Purchase And I NEVER See It Respond To Multi-Alarm Fires Or Conflagrations In The County !!!

Which is exactly why the facts of the story should be affirmed prior to public rants.
I have known the Fire Fighter in question as a friend for over 20 years and have no doubt to HIS integrity. Much like 99.9% of the people pushing this boycott, I was NOT present when the issue arose.
I am just amazed at how quiet HE is about this and how many OTHER people are running hastily all over the internet without having much detail.
My organization has worked with these establishments on numerous occasions and have found them to be very friendly to assisting public safety officers. I would hate for the actions of one or two morons to be portrayed as being part of an organized discrimination campaign by a business.
Looking at what I have heard and read, there appears to be something missing from story. In 2011, for a large business to openly refuse entrance to people because they are of Asian decent, seems to be like trying to put your tongue on the third-rail?
I could be wrong, but was there any attempt to sit-down with a representative of management (and I am not talking about the bar manager on duty that night) trying to discuss the issue before this thing was shot out of the canon?
With respect to my quiet and humble friend, it appears that it may have been more prudent and systematic steps that could have been taken, prior to others using his face and background with a viral internet surge.
Every organization has its misfits, morons, criminals and malcontents (the Yankees have a full roster). However, it is stretch to suggest that the Company is condoning the behavior without the Company having an opportunity to be aware of the behavior and discipline/terminate those responsible and make amends with those harmed.
The internet posts and Facebook pages were created by Sunday at noon, this incident happened on Saturday night. Kind of hard to allow for a response or answer to a complaint and allow for information to be digested or processed.
Kind of like prejudicing an entire Fire Department or Police Department because of one bad member or Officer.

Another decent video of the fire.. Just try to ignore the commentary lol

Bill Tompkins photos:
http://www.btfirephotos.com/2011/New-Rochelle-NY-2-14-11/15835046_Ci84e#1187383389_qjbsy