Alpinerunner

And now my opinion:
In speaking with a Con Ed Electric Emergency Service Supervisor, even if the line was cut and the insulation was on fire, the Con Ed worker would still need his safety gear and the bucket right on the line, with Con Ed using the extinguisher. A Con Ed Worker, on that type of pole, can never guarentee the power's been cut especially with so many other services using the pole. Also, Con Ed would extinush the fire, and probaly splice at that location. It should also note that the insulation is designed to be fire resistant. And if you've ever seen a Con Ed guy suit up for burning wires, there's a reason for all that safety gear. And I'm sure he's qualified to operate a dry chem.
I don't care who can identify the department, and who can't. The Chief should be setting an example. The Chief should be an Incident Commander, and how is he in position to do on top of an apparatus cab? And that Incident Commander should have a Con Ed SUPERVISOR right next to him at the command post and operating under the DIRECT advisment of that supervisor.
The fire service is not a popularity contest. We all make mistakes. I don't care who this person is, but if he made a mistake, he should own up to his mistake and take full accountability for everything he does. That goes for everyone. Using friendship or any other excuse to justify the actions in the photos is unprofessional. And, are you going to let your friends do things that are unsafe, or let them get away with it "because you know them" so you can visit them in the hospital or worse?
Obviously, this Chief is friends with many on this forum-and is probaly even a member. Therefore, he could easily pass along a message regarding his actions if he wishes to do so.
If this was some department way out west let's say, the same people complaining about this post would have very different attitudes.
This is a life or death action. Anyone who finds this acceptable needs to be retrained in Basic Firefighter, and Electrical Emergenies, and then tested on it. Any department member needs to wonder if he would put his firefighters into a situation where they may not go home to their families? If there is not an immediate threat to life in this situations, let it burn! I highly doubt with all the rain up there that brush would be an issue. I've heard how they did it "in the old days" until present, with a water can, but those people are lucky. Additonally, as for positioning the apparatus, why is it right under the pole,crossarms, and wires?
Down here right now, wires down are a major emergency as it could spark a fire that burns thousands of acres. Still, crews contain the fire from a safe distance, and lets the power company cut the actual line and do whatever needs to be done with it. I don't see any major emergency present in the photo.
OK, to sum up my long winded post:
TRUST THE EXPERTISE OF CON EDISON They aren't sitting around on a beach somewhere playing with thermostats and feeding solar power back into the grid and the such, they are out there.....if it's a major emergency or threat, you will get a response. If not, wait.
Friends don't let friends fry.

#1 if you dont have the proper information you should not be posting this picture!!!!!! the lines were cut off and the chief was given the go ahead by con ed to put out the visible fire.
#2 this is a local fire department and the chief of the department is a family friend.
#3 i called this in I was at the hospital when this happened i watched it from the ER entrance.
#4 He's using a dry chem. I myself have seen people using water cans in short bursts to put out lines on fire. as long as there is not a long spray from a water can you are completely safe. this is what I was told by a line men for con ed.

From what I can see, the department are just assisting ConEd. The firefighter in the street is wearing turnout pants, helmet, and vest; which seems appropriate PPE for this type of call.
The ConEd guy is on the engine (for such it is; appears to be jeans, t-shirt, vest, and white hat)... well it's his electricity system. If he deems it appropriate to deal with the incident in this manner, and requests FD assistance, that's his call.
Now I'm speculating here, but perhaps he was the first ConEd guy on scene, in an SUV or small van, and decided that the fire needed to be knocked down to minimize damage. He used a little creative thinking and enlisted the help of the FD, as the big ConEd trucks weren't on scene yet?
That's what it looks like to me, anyway.
Mike

This wasn't freelancing Seth. These guys responded when legitimate calls for help went out, and were turned away. Freelancers would just go on their own without receiving any "invitation." This was more a FUBAR.
Are the calls going out to help upstate New York, calls for "Freelancers"?

Well this is truly amazing. According to lohud, over 60 police units had to respond from as far south as Tuckahoe to deal with this unreasonable and unruly crowd. Why? Because their "muslim sensibilities" were insulted? Give me a freakin' break. The rules are posted and for certain rides, there is to be NO WEARING OF ANY TYPE OF HEADGEAR period.
Why do these people think they are exempt from the rules, the laws? I know what they would like; Sharia Law. Their own version of a justice system implemented in the countries they emigrate to. I think that is a disgusting disgrace, as were the actions of these supposedly "religious" people at the Playland park.
Look, you people want to assimilate in this country, fine. I guess we have to let some of you in. But if you don't like the system, the rules in place... TOO F'IN BAD, go back to the place you came from.
The difference between these people and the ancestors of many of us here in this forum is our great-grandparents had a huge desire to assimilate into the American culture. That's why on my mother's side, they came from Italy, moved into the south Bronx and gave up teaching their native language to their children, my mother, and therefore I don't know Italian today as a result. I wish that part were different, but the point being these people were so anxious to "fit in" they even gave up their language. Italian was forbidden to be spoken in the house by my great-grandparents, as a result their great-grandchildren only speak English.
Now these muslims with their headgear, the hijab, they can't even get on the Dragon Coaster without starting a ruckus? Like Playland OWES them something, like WE owe them anything? They should kiss the ground of freedom they walk upon, shut their damn mouths, follow the rules, or else.
What a waste of PD resources to have to direct half the cars on patrol up to Playland because these freaking people were "insulted"! Enough! Fit in or GET OUT!
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110830/NEWS02/110830004/Police-arrest-15-Playland-dispute-over-Muslim-headwear?odyssey=nav|head

Empress recently took (re-delivery) of Truck 301, now remounted on a 2011 Ford F-350/Swab dedicated to the memory of Empress Lt. Thomas Salvatore.
This is a Special Operations Supervisor Truck, and carries two sets of ALS gears, MCI equipment, and EMS related hazmat and technical rescue equipment.

While out and about exploring Portland, we happened upon Portland FD's HQ. The Heavy Rescue is stationed there and its crew was starting to think we were following them lol.
Heres a shot of their Station patch.

Here is their Dive Truck, which will be replaced shortly.

I know it doesn't need to be said here, because we know the full story, and this piece was written to sway the ignorant public, but I'll say it anyway. This opinion article pretends that the new merged FD will have no career firefighters, which isn't true. The new fire department WILL respond to 100% of the calls and residents don't have to worry about being in that 15% that doesn't get a volunteer response. The volunteers will and have been there for the major incidents (fires, MVAs, Storms) that require the additional manpower. Furthermore, the currently 85% of the calls being supplemented with a volunteer response is pretty good when probably 15% of all calls NEED additional manpower beyond the career engines.
It looks really ignorant/desparate when articles like this are written that completely skew and ignore the facts. If the article was written about how the whole city needs to have one Chief, or that union firefighters are better than non-union firefighters, at least you would have something to argue about...

On my way home today northbound on I-35 service road, I saw a small plume of smoke. I looked over and saw a brush fire growing with heavy fuel and light wind gusts propelling the fire. No PD of FD on scene yet. Given the amount of smoke and the fact a brush unit was putting out a fire on the other side of the highway, I assumed 911 had been called.
The staff of the cabinet store were trying to keep the fire back with garden hoses and fire extinguishers. I also saw a large propane tank. I quickly turned around, parked my car in a safe spot, and told the PD that there was a propane tank involved. I shouted to the people to get away from the fire and come to the front of the building. The owner let me know that there was another large propane tank in the back of the facility. Upon arrival of the first due engine, I let the officer know about this, and they made maneuvers to keep the fire away from the building as much as possible. They did not have a water supply besides the onboard tank, and later on in the incident mutual aid engines had to relay pump with 5 inch hoses for about half a mile, to the nearest hydrant south of the fire. Until then, most departments relied on their booster tankers. Round Rock FD, an urban department, has a tanker that responds with its brush truck. This water was kept to protect the building. Star Flight, our EMS-Fire-Rescue helicopter, provided aerial surveillance to the IC, and then initiated water drops. As of this writing, the fire is almost 100% contained, but that does not mean the fire is extinguished.
The following link contains the entire set of my photos:
x635Photos-Goldstar Brush Fire 8-25-11 Complete Set Of Photos Click Here









The following link contains the entire set of my photos:
http://www.emtbravo.com/texas/incidents/goldstarfire.html

Date: 8/25/2011]
Time: 1515hrs
Location: 95 Broadway
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 12, EMS 12, FG3
Units Operating: [OFD: 2332, 2337, E96, E99, R14, U51], [WCDES: Bat 12, Bat 11, 2007, R77, U77], [OVAC: 36M1, 36M2, 74A1, 74A2], [CVAC: 88-05], [CEMS: 55B1], OPD
Units on Standby in OVAC HQ: [PVAC: 76B1]
Weather Conditions: Rain and Wind
Description Of Incident: See below...
Writer: firedude
According to media sources, 4 children were playng with a ball when it rolled down to the Kill Brook. The 4 children became trapped in a ravine as they ran to find their ball. One child's arm became pinned under a large rock after falling. Ossining PD was notified via 911 and dispatched OFD. Upon arrival, 2332 requested WCDES Technical Rescue Team for a High angle rescue. Cortland VAC requested to standby for OVAC. Stat Flight requested to stanby. Air 2 put on stanby with 20min ETA. LZ was Snowden Ave Park with GC as E99. Air 2 advised they were grounded due to weather. E99 to relocate to scene. CVAC unable to relocate. Briarcliff EMS requested to relocate. 2332 requested Cortland Rehab to scene. BMVAC unable to relocate,PVAC requested to relocate to OVAC HQ. PVAC relocating 76B1 to OVAC HQ. 2232 reports 3 total patients, out of ravine. Air 2 still declining due to weather. 2332 reports CVAC Rehab can go back in service. 74A1 and 74A2 tranported 3 patients ALS to WMC.
Ossining Patch Artice (With Photos)
Lohud Article
Lohud Photos
***If you have anything to add, PM me!

These are my photos from today’s fire in Port Chester. IA can be found here. It was not a big fire, but I thought I would share some of my shots anyway.











All of the photos I took at today's fire can be found here.

It's looking more like New England is in the sights of this one... Might have to stock up on french toast!

My name is Al, I am a Battalion Chief with North Naples Fire Resecue which is located about 175 miles south of Tampa on Florida's West Coast. I have been in the fire service since 1981, when I joined a small department located in Suffolk County NY. I moved to Florida 1985 and began my career here. I still keep in touch and informed of the action up in NY. EMT Bravo is an informative site, thanks.
Stay Safe!

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Yonkers was there for the same reason Hastings was. The car was on fire. Both agencies have fire engines and firefighters. Sometimes, on the border, dual departments are dispatched, especially when you have such a fragmented dispatch systen. But you don't have time to sort rhat out because time is not your friend.
We could pick this apart forever. Now that everyone has camera phones and cameras that take videos, we're always under the gun for criticism and everyone thinks that they are an expert. This is why everyone complains about this forum.
If someone on scene that is an officer wants to come on here and comment or give insight and maybe answer questions, fine. I'd love to see that. But they are under no obligation to answer to their tatics here, other then if they wannt to use this to enhance firefighter safety. So, relax on the critcism. I'm pretty sure this is not the first car fire these guys have put out, and I'm sure they can use the video to learn.
Again, this is what give the forum a bad name. I think a video like this is a great learning tool, but these types of threads actually make people not want to share their experiences. Everyone wants to criticize other departments, but when it comes to their own department.....
I think this is an excellent video to learn from. But I'm sure Hastings and Yonkers wouldn't appreciate speculation.

FORD... 'nuff said.
Sorry Hastings. Buy a Tahoe!

I know this is '20-20 hindsight', but I think I would have assigned most of the excess personnel on the scene to grab shovels to build a dike using the readily available earth at the scene in order to contain the flow of fuel & apply a foam blanket to the pool of flaming liquid. This would be done rather than using charged attack hose lines to create the dike.

was this called in to 911 via a landline or cell does anyone know? I ask because that might answer why yonkers was dispatched and I will give Yonkers credit if the address was Hastings for sticking around and helping. Class decision by Yonkers

Lets take the passion out of this for a minute.
At best the City handled this latest development poorly. What did the NJ Daily News quote as the number for responders to the WTC....roughly 91,000. Even if you halfed that number that's 45,000 people. There is no way the area around the WTC could currently handle 45,000 people and have it not be a logistical nightmare. I was at the WTC on 9/11 and in the two weeks following, had collegues that died and rarely discuss or mention it. I have never had a desire to feel I needed to be there every 9/11 and I don't have a burning desire to be there this September 11. Hopefully when the Memorial opens to will provide a suitable setting for remembrance but basically the WTC area is what it is intended to be, a construction site for now. Let the date be for the family members of those killed on 9/11. With 343 FDNY, 23 NYPD, and 37 PANYNJPD and those from the other public safety agencies, those families should be the representatives of the uniformed services. I can go to the WTC any time of th day or night to make my peace.

So does this mean that every department that does not run a pull box system, is discriminating against the deaf and hearing impaired, or is everyone "grandfathered in?"

... that's the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard anyone say to me on this board.......... i mean if that is how you want to think why not just give firetrucks and ambulances away i mean they save lives so it makes sense right? how about doctors perform heart surgery for free it will save that persons life.... good lord.... that's like hey i didn't pay for this wheel chair in full and i haven't made a payment in years but you cant take it from me because i wont be able to get around....

Former Engine
Ron

What Rod Fraser has tried to do to this department is contemptable. He only says what Mayor Menino tells him to & he talks out of both sides of his mouth. For example:
1. In the article he states, “We want someone who can stand up for the betterment of the department against the union,’’ Fraser said in a phone interview Friday. “It’s difficult for someone who’s been in the union for 30-plus years to take themselves out of that.’’ HOWEVER a couple of paragraphs later he says, "The dozens of deputy chiefs and district chiefs within Boston Fire will not be excluded from consideration, Fraser affirmed. He said he has sent letters to them inviting them to apply. So far, only one has, he said.
OF COURSE ONLY ONE HAS! YOU'VE ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT THE "FIX IS IN"! THAT FOR ALL INTENTS & PURPOSES, THEY HAVE ZERO CHANCE! WHY WOULD ANY OF OUR DEPUTIES APPLY?!?
2. Taken from above, “It’s difficult for someone who’s been in the union for 30-plus years to take themselves out of that.’’
If that truly IS the case, why did you go before the CIty Council & attempt to keep Chief of Department Ronald Keating, a member of IAFF Local 718 for THIRTY-NINE years (1970-2009) for FIVE YEARS past the MANDATORY retirement age of 65? And when that failed, instead of acknowledging that the reason Local 718 opposed the measure is because it would set a precident that could be used again down the road to circumvent the MANDATORY retirement age, blather that the reason we opposed it was because, "Keating is a thorn in the side of the union - a rare example of a Boston firefighter who climbed the uniformed ranks only to break with the department’s insular culture and embrace his role as a no-nonsense, non-union manager." (Larry Harmon, Boston Globe 08/06/11)
Again from the Harmon article, "In an April letter, Menino asked the city council to raise Keating’s retirement age to 70. “It is vital that the department be allowed to retain an experienced manager and operational specialist in order to preserve its morale and effectiveness,’’ wrote the mayor, who further described the department as at a “critical crossroads.’’"
Chief Keating was 63 years old at the time of his appointment in 2009. The fact that he would be forced to retire in October 2011 when he turned 65 should have come as no shock to anybody. Harmon writes, "But given Keating’s capabilities, it makes plenty of sense to keep him in place for another six months or a year. That would allow Fraser to mount a thorough search for a replacement, preferably a candidate from outside the department." What has Mr. Fraser been DOING for the past TWO years?! Commissioner Fraser and Mayor Menino KNEW that Chief Keating HAD to retire in October 2011. Why did they not start the search sooner & have a replacement in place? If he hasn't managed to find a suitable candidate in the past two years, why should we believe that he would be able to with six additional months to do so?
I'll get off my soapbox now, I KNOW that the Globe is a rag not suitable for wrapping fish in, yet somehow I STILL manage to get annoyed by their biased reporting.

RIP Loo. The article says the city tried to shut the complex down multiple times due to numerous safety and code violations. Hopefully the ownwers/management will be held responsible for this death.