COH Bulldog

How many were let go?

How many were let go?

How many were let go?

How many were let go?

15 feet of soft suction is easy to fit. And there is plenty of room under the boom

 
1982 Mack CF/ Baker Aerialscope
75' tower ladder
1500 GPM pump | 300 gallon tank
Former Cromwell, CT
 
Photo courtesy of Pine Bush Fire Department and www.ocnyfire.com

I'm sure everything from the pump back is "normal". But I too am surprised they haven't gone with a custom cab due to safety, user-friendliness (not a word I know), and most likely better maneuverability around city streets.

I'm sure everything from the pump back is "normal". But I too am surprised they haven't gone with a custom cab due to safety, user-friendliness (not a word I know), and most likely better maneuverability around city streets.

I'm sure everything from the pump back is "normal". But I too am surprised they haven't gone with a custom cab due to safety, user-friendliness (not a word I know), and most likely better maneuverability around city streets.

Generally the same pump, same tank, same equipment, same engine and transmission to get you to the fire in a slightly less fancy package.  What do they pay for these commercial cab engines vs a custom cab? Probably significant money.  

Pine Bush FD in Orange County has an '82 Mack 'scope with a pump and water tank. Many departments use quints, so why not on an Aerialscope.  Seagrave is smart to offer it.

Brotherhood without borders.
 
Photo: Contributed to FireRescue1
 

 

I'll take the Chief at his word.  Politics, meaning Politicians, are ruining this country at every level.  Even a little 800 person town in OK.

The same way you would explain wrecking any piece of equipment on the way to any call.   You simply explain what happened.
 
Accidents can happen at any time.  After the safety of our personnel and others, the main concern should be about whether or not the apparatus was being operated in an appropriate manner at the time of the accident.  The actual nature of the call is somewhat irrelevant.
 
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Now I think the question you were trying to ask is something along the lines of how do you justify responding your most expensive piece of fire equipment to any EMS call after the vehicle was totaled in an accident while responding to one while also trying to imply that EMS calls (in general) are not worthy uses of this apparatus.
 
I'm not familiar with this department's operations and the article doesn't give much detail on what happened, but it does state that the unit was responding to a reported heroin overdose.  Having responded to more than my fair share of OD calls in my career, I can safely say that they can easily be a life threatening situation.
 
Since we're supposed to be about saving lives and property, I have to ask, is this person's life somehow less worthy of assistance from that unit because his life is possibly threatened by heroin rather than being threatened by a fire?
 
 

West Point has a Pierce tele-squrt.

Beaching could be risky especially with an aerial. They obviously weigh a lot. The operator would definitely need to keep checking outrigger & Jack support. I would say the spring and wet part of the summer being very risky times to do this kind of operation. I wouldn't want to be the guy that puts the ff's in the bucket at a higher risk that the aerial could tip over. Especially with a tower ladder because chances are somebody would be in it. This would be far more easily accepted/understood with an engine since getting stuck is about the worst that could happen.
 
My opinion.

The video and the still shots don't really give enough information regarding the placement of the truck in relation to the active fire.  Generally speaking I was taught never to take my apparatus off hard
pavement (specialized vehicles notwithstanding).  
 
Although they have their outriggers extended, they do not appear to be on anything other than the grass surface.  If they were extending the bucket any further than what appears in the still photo they
could be risking the stability of their working platform. Did they really need a bucket to effect these evacuations or could ground ladders not have accomplished the same in maybe shorter time.
 
As always, its a judgement call made in a matter of seconds.  Since rescues were accomplished and the apparatus was not damaged, its a win, this time.
 
I remember a grass fire I responded to.  Kept my CF Mack on the hard road. Our new mini-pumper came in, left the road to cross the field and promptly sank up to its axles.  You take your chances when you leave the road.
 
 

Another concern about driving on soil would be any underground "obstructions", i.e. Septic tanks, oil tanks (abandoned or in use), underground electrical vaults, etc. dropping an outrigger over one of these could result in a big OOPS. 

Article in the Somers Record. Nicely written, goes into the history of the SFD and all.

 
 
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/somers/articles/more-volunteers-needed-for-the-somers-fire-depart

What if certain firefighters don't place their trust in god. Maybe since the department and community is so heavily involved in religion, that they're terrified to speak their mind for fear of being shunned or mocked. Or what if they place their faith in Allah? This isn't about political correctness, but about what your department is now representing. Technically it's a government entity and it should not be endorsing ANY religion or lack there of. Could you imagine the uproar if the department placed "There is no God," or "Allah Akbar" on the side of their apparatus because someone donated their time and money to put it on?
 
I'm all for individual PEOPLE believing whatever they want to believe. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, Amish, Scientology, Atheism, Pastafarianisim Flying Spaghetti Monster, but leave it out of the organization of the Fire Department. Don't ram it down my throat, or try and convert me, and I won't ram my beliefs down yours and try and convert you. And before people think I'm bashing religion, or accuse me of being someone who think's religion is evil, if what you believe makes you happy, doesn't harm or hamper anyone else's happiness or way of life, I'm all for it.

These politicians should be held accountable. But they probably will never have to answer to anybody for their inaction. Too bad they really don't understand why it's important to have up to date gear and radios.

These politicians should be held accountable. But they probably will never have to answer to anybody for their inaction. Too bad they really don't understand why it's important to have up to date gear and radios.

These politicians should be held accountable. But they probably will never have to answer to anybody for their inaction. Too bad they really don't understand why it's important to have up to date gear and radios.

Do you think the members don't push for more? On a second alarm we have another engine plus the spare truck manned, another Assistant Chief, a FAST from mutual aid, an additional engine from mutual aid, plus whatever else is needed. When help is needed, we call it in. If we don't need it, why call everyone and their brother?

nfd2004, from someone who has seen Newburgh firefighters operate on countless occasions, I can say they never cease to amaze me. They are truly dedicated to their profession and bust their asses and then some to get the job done. What they do with the numbers they have is truly incredible.