Alpinerunner

The New Hackensack Fire Department, Town of Wappinger Ambulance/TransCare Medics, and the NYSP - Wappinger were dispatched for a "reported plow truck on fire" I/A/O #1 Martin Drive. Units arrived to find a 1 ton dump body plow truck with the cab fully involved and fire impinging on a ~ 250 gallon tank of unknown contents that was in the dump body...... Crews used a single line to cool the tank and then quickly extinguish the fire w/o incident. The driver was nowhere to be found and the plates were missing too..... Apparently the driver removed the trucks plates and fled...... The NYSP are looking for both the driver and vehicles owner.....

Crews have their line flaked out and prepare to get masked up......

Ya ready?

Using the nozzles reach to cool the tank......

Hitting the running fuel fire as the neighbors watch......

Moving up on it......

Hitting the main body of fire..... The Lieutenants guide a "green" firefighter.....

Now ya got it.....

Fire knocked down........

This is my feeling as well. The word "expedite" should only mean an upgrade response from something other than regular emergency travel, but in this case, you should be saying "upgrade" your response from normal travel to emergency. Although really it shouldn't EVER be used because your update / scene size up should tell other units how to respond. For instance, you're responding to a diff breather and you get there before the medics and find youself working a code. All you need to say is, "Engine XX to Medic XX, be advised, we're working a code".

Agreed, 'respond with caution' is terrible phraseology; almost designed to give some sharp lawyer ammunition. 'Respond non-emergency' is equally short and clear. As for expedite, yes when it comes to ConEd as others have pointed out, otherwise... sizeup is more useful: 'Engine XX and all units, be advised we have a confirmed working fire with persons trapped' sounds a heck of a lot more useful to this plain old line firefighter, and we all know what it will mean for the response. 'Expedite' is redundant.

So by the time I got to work the were calling for 2 to 5" for the 5 boroughs. We were all issued skeds for equipment and patient transport over long distances. Two different chiefs visited the station to check salt, vehicles, snow blowers, toy shovels, and canvas members for overnight availability tomorrow. Panic mode is rocking! 6" on the ground with a blizzard warning and we had to unwrap a snow blower that had been delivered for a station that still hasn't been built. Predicting a maximum of less than 6" and everyone is in a tizzy.

In NYC, yes 8 minutes is a long time. Thanks to things like Bloomburgs pedestrian malls that have closed streets permanently,garbage trucks making pickups and delivery trucks blocking road, its not totally empty. When I was still assigned to NYPD Transit District 1, we had an officer call a 10-85 (officer needs assistance) at Times Square (West 42 street/ 7 Avenue) at 2320 hours, shortly after Bloomburg closed Broadway . I was assigned to the sector car that night, and since it was at the end of tour we were at our command at W 59 Street/Columbus Circle (closer to 60 Street) about to give the midnights the car. We responded immediately, as we were already in the car. With traffic, street closures, and traffic lights every block it took almost 5 minutes to drive lights and sirens those 17 -18 blocks. Thanks to not being able to take the direct route of Broadway, we had to go one block over to 7 avenue, down to 42 street. We arrived just about a minute after precinct units that were closer, but on different radio frequencies. All while this one officer was fighting a drunken Mexican. No imagine your house is burning, and your in it. How fast will that fire grow in intensity in those 5 minutes?
Granted in a maybe a little slower at night, but not by much. In Manhattan you have tons of clubs, restaurants, theaters, etc that are open late every night of the week. The outer boroughs are mostly residential, which at night have greater occupancy levels, as most residents are home sleeping. Not all these residential buildings have things like smoke detectors and sprinklers installed or working. In the case of a fire, you may be looking at a delayed notification to FD, plus a greater need for manpower to search these buildings and effect any rescues. Your response times maybe a little quicker do to lower traffic volume, but the number of intersections, and traffic control devices (stop signs, traffic lights) is the same. You can not blow through intersections in NYC like in suburban areas, there are people out all hours of the day, and most have no regard for emergency vehicles responding with lights and sirens.

I'll throw out some things: Are hydrants buried? Is your static water source frozen? Are you going to attempt a push with the rig up an unplowed driveway?

The last of my FD pictures from my trip.
These pictures are of Franklin, TN Tower-1, a Sutphen mid-mount.
Franklin is just outside of Nashville and is where many of the famous Country music stars live. It is a beautiful area to say the least.
This Tower was just sitting on the median near where we parked. I dont know if its crew was out on a meal run or perhaps doing inspections. Unfortunately i could not locate them to find out more info.

With certain exceptions as defined by law, ALL records maintained by ALL government agencies belong to the PUBLIC and NOT to the government agencies. The government agencies are merely the custodians. This fact is one of the most difficult for government employees and even most members of the public to comprehend.
In the case of an arrest, all police agenices must maintain in some form a record that is available within a reasonable period of time after the arrest, to the public and the media. That record must contain the name, age and address of the person arrested, the charges lodged against that person, the amount of any bond, whether the person was released or is being held and when that person is scheduled to appear in court. While the case remains under investigation, the police are NOT required to disclose any pertinent facts of the case.
By law, anyone should be able to walk into any police station and request the above information without making a formal FOI request, but in most cases, law enforcement does NOT follow the law. They will hassle you and you may be forced to make a formal request. Here in CT where I reside, the state FOI Commission has on several occasions used interns to go out to police departments and other town offices and request to see documents that by law belong to the public, including the aforementioned arrest reports. The results have been dismal. In most cases police and other government officials failed to uphold the law and denied access to information. Of course they were then hauled in for a hearing before the FOI Commission, ordered to release the information, ordered to have all their members attend FOI training and to implement SOP that is compliant with FOI.
Without Freedom of Information, we can not have a free society and we can not be a free people as is guanteed by the US and State constitutions.

Here are some photos from the St. Peters School Fire in Kingston that occured on 12/21/10 around 9:00pm. All photos are courtesy of Kevin Buso Photography, KevinBuso.com, and posted with his permission.

Heavy fire in the roof.

Front of school, City of Kingston Truck 1 on left and Ulster Hose Tower 1 on right

From Broadway look up th "D" side with Ulster Hose Tower 1

Front of building preparing for interior attack

Ulster Hose FASTeam preparing

A famous NYC fire that occured in 1977 in Brooklyn's Bushwick section, Here's a link to recently published photos (up till now, mostly the same couple pix were around).
City Noise website w/ article
http://citynoise.org/article/6739

A Modified response. The night of the Blizzard, 400 Park Ave came in as an activated alarm, then was filled out due to further info, turned out to be a small 10-29. You never know !!
Good job to the powers that be, for pre-planning and manning the necessary apparatus for a storm as this one.

Sorry for the poor quality. Great job by NRFD under tough conditions. Got there as TL11 was venting the roof. Enjoy. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and be safe.

I really want one of these snow cats now, but they cost around $350,000!!! These too are equipped with sirens and PA.

Finally, It was time to head home. EGE-JFK on American Airlines. The Eagle County Airport is Awesome. Only Airport I know that has FREE PARKING! It is also one of the only aiports to still have a online live webcam

This airport is also interesting because the FAA does not own the Air Traffic Control Tower. It is owned by the county and air traffic control services are contracted out to a private company

Fire Apparatus Journal had an article about this airport ARFF Department a couple of months ago. Here is the Airport OPS building. The 3 bays on the right hold their 3 ARFF rigs. The White truck in front is the ARFF Supervisor. The window was dirty, so the image didn't come out so good.

My plane...

Inflight...

And finally back to New York.

So, I’d like to hear what you think about my photos or how the county emergency system runs. I do not have access to a photo editing software, so I couldn’t edit really edit them. All of the photos I tool can be seen on my flickr page, there is a link bellow. I am welcome to hear any constructive criticism and or thoughts you have.

The law also states the driver of any emergency vehicle will drive "WITH DUE REGARD". Any lawyer will argue that an emergency vehicle going past a red light or other negative traffic control device and involved in an accident even if not the operators fault was not operated with due regard since we should all expect the other drivers to be idiots and not paying any attention.
All that really matters in this accident is that every one walked away.

Here are a couple of instructor quotes from actual pump operator courses. One is the New York version, the other is the Virginia Beach version. They are quite similar. I would like to hear the Califoirnia version.
FROM THE SOUTH:
What should you flow that nozzle at? 40psi, right? Sure you could flow it at 50 or 80. Can you hold on to it? I don't know. What's the worst that could happen? Slide around on your back on the floor for a bit 'til you hit a wall and that's where you fight fire from...it's just that simple yall
FROM THE NORTH"
To determine correct Pump Pressure, simply throttle up slowly until the nozzleman just leaves the ground. Then throttle back 1/2 turn (on digitals, quickly tap the "Decrease" button twice).
If the nozzleman is in the building or otherwise out of sight, this can also be done audibly.

West Coast version.
1. Ensure you great nozzleman with a appropriate chipper greeting appropriate for the time of day.
2. When the nozzleman has the line fully stretched and politely asks for water, reply appropriately with "your welcome" and ensure you ask him if the water pressure is adequate enough so as to not hurt their feelings.
3. Once charged ask the nozzleman again if the pressure is adequate and ensure they are not fatiguing due to the strenous activity they are undertaking without seeming overly intrusive to their space and lifestyle preferences.
4. When done pack the hose ensuring you praise the nozzleman for their excellent work.
Then once you get back to the firehouse you can answer the civil lawsuit brought upon you by a department member for using the term "nozzleman" instead of "nozzle person." You will be part of a major debate where you will be supported by fox news, villainized by CNN and MSNBC, but through it all you will win your initial state court case. Only to then be trumped by the federal appeals court who will rule you are discrimintory and violated the persons civil rights to work in a harrassment free workplace. Again you will be back on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC and congress will begin to take up arms verbally against the liberal courts trying to set precidence from the bench. The supreme court will refuse to hear the case ording a review at the lower appellate court level which you get lucky and get the federal district out of Philadelphia who toss the liberal appeals court judgement out in an hour.

Date: 12/21/10
Time: 05:17
Location: 45 Lakeside Road
Frequency: 46.26 / Fire 16
BHFD Units Operating: 2031, 2032, 2033, E198, E199, TL57, T5, R10
MKFD Units Operating: 2281, 2282, FAST U13, E104
KBHVAC / EMS Units: 65B1, 45M1
WCDES Units: Bat 16
Weather Conditions: Cold, Clear
Description Of Incident: Working garage fire
Reporters: Remember585
Writer: Remember585
05:17 - E198, E199, TL57, R10 dispatched for reported garage fire.
05:19 - 2032, 2033 responding.
05:20 - 2031 responding.
05:21 - E198 responding.
05:25 - 2033 on location. Transmitting a 10-75.
05:26 - TL57 responding.
05:27 - 2033 reports smoke showing. E199, R10 responding.
05:28 - Mount Kisco FAST, KBHVAC, 45M1, Battalion 16 dispatched on the 10-75. 2032, E198 on location.
05:29 - 2032 advising E199 to come in from the "top side" and lay in to E198.
05:30 - 2031 requesting T5 and an additional Tanker, water issues in area. 2031 assuming Command.
05:31 - Bedford Hills T5, Katonah T6 dispatched.
05:32 - Command requesting an additional Engine to the scene from Mount Kisco.
05:33 - Mount Kisco FAST re-dispatched, and original request for additional Engine.
05:34 - U13 reports they are "still assembling a FAST." 2282 responding.
05:35 - E199, R10 on location.
05:36 - 2281, U13 w/ FAST responding.
05:38 - Command reports two-story frame residential with fire in garage, appears to be knocked down. Redirecting T6 to BHFD HQ for coverage.
05:39 - E104 responding.
05:40 - 2282 on location.
05:45 - 2211 relocating BHFD HQ.

While I agree that the first scenario, or both truly seem like heads up decision making, we do often have other reasons for not varying from protocols. Though it would seem the call was "obvious" sometimes and I imagine to a far greater extent in a much larger system, sticking to protocols validates them or shows the need for change.
In our case, anytime the dispatcher has a "gray area" they can contact the duty officer or first due IC and tell them what they have, prompting them to make or authorize the decision. Is there no way the dispatcher could call the first due IC and say, "we're getting multiple calls and I have R3 in the area?" Again, I doubt that type of heads up call would get anyone spanked in my system, but the larger the system the more rigid the guidelines tend to be.
Sometimes you have to take the rip and know you made the right call anyway, as long as humans are involved in the equation, no one will agree 100% of the time.

Great post Capt. & THANK YOU for e-mailing all of the GOP Senators who unanimously refused to support our Nation's First Responders who are in desperate need of assistance ...
I received some generic, automatic replies from several GOP Senators. I also e-mailed Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson and received the following reply:
Dear Mr. xxxxx:
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. On December 9, I voted for a procedural motion to bring this bill up for debate in the Senate, but it failed on a party-line vote.
H.R. 847 would help cover the health care costs of workers and first responders who are experiencing health problems as a result of their work at Ground Zero after the September 11 terror attacks. Many first responders are being diagnosed with long-term conditions as a result of inhaling toxic substances at the site of the attacks.
I hope that Congress can find a way to overcome the gridlock and help these heroes get the care they need. These Americans made tremendous sacrifices and saved countless lives during one of the country's darkest hours.
Thank you again for contacting me and please do not hesitate to do so in the future.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson
Isn't it amazing that me, a faithful registered Republican voter for 34 years (until I became an Independent last week in disgust) get a real reply from a Democratic Senator and only a few computer generated "Thanks for commenting" messages from the GOP Senators. I guess once they realized they I'm not a millionaire or billionaire (just a middle class, retired firefighter) that couldn't be bothered wasting their time with me ...

You are correct Mamaroneck is not on the same list as Manhattan, But its pretty clear that every attack in Manhattan was stagged outside the primary target.
WTC 93' came from Jersey City and they had a back-up staging in Yonkers. During a routine building inspection in Mt Vernon, a warehouse filled with chemicals was discovered. Turned out they were WMD's being shipped to Libia. The owners are spending the rest of there lives in lock-up. The EPA's estimate during clean up was a detonation would have killed up to 40,000 (1/2 in the Bronx) and the crater would have been 1/4 mile diameter. One of the NYC threats was staged in Bridgport, Ct. just a simple drive down I-95 thru Mamaroneck to NYC. I wonder where they purchased gas for the trip?
Then there was the political bombings in Westchester in the 70's Including 1 on Mamroneck Avenue (just up the road from this location).
You are right, Mamaroneck is not a likely target, but it is a likely staging area and its very likely it could pass thru. And whats the chance that someone that plans harm in NYC screws up and it actually happens just out side. The people doing this, have mostly been foiled, because they screwed up.

Yeah like the vendor that reported the Times Square vehicle borne device should have MYOB. Thats why if you see something, you should say something.

Attached is a picture from our pre-delivery inspection at KME in PA. You could find more pictures of the new TDA in the photo gallery of our website, www.local830.org.

Spot on..... Chief Flynn has it right. These guys do a good job of promoting what the FD is doing so that the public can appreciate their work. Everywhere else the public might say "4 helos to fight building fires sounds expensive..." But a department like LA that does a good PR job the folks might say "I feel much safer because the FD uses helos to help us when a building is on fire"
On a smaller side note of PR, I used to have the guys open the bay doors whenever we were working on the apparatus floor so that the public could see what they were paying for and that there were people attending to it (volunteer or career, it doesn't matter)... Even if I was in the station alone, I'd open the two bay doors closest to the officers room while I was doing paperwork (weather permitting).
With cuts due to the economy and other financial drama effecting every aspect of emergency services, PR of any kind is great. This service has become one of a million that are competing for the public's dollars. Market your department like it was a Fortune 500 company so that the public will have you on their mind frequently. There are only so many times that the press is going to show our guys saving lives amidst all the other negative news that is out there.... Make sure your department is taking advantage of every opportunity they can for the public to know that you're there.

I vote for those tire puncture devices on all higway entrances that can be easily mistaken esp w/ impairment ie sawmill, taconic etc. Cheap one time cost, little to no upkeep or staffing. Stop them before they get miles down the highway and cause needless havoc.