Alpinerunner

As always, all of these photos are mine and can’t be used without my consent. If you enjoy these, you might want to check out all of my photos from today. They can be found on my flickr page (link below)

Rayrider is absolutely right. There is so much overlapping redundancy that it has become a nuisance. Imagine if every weekend every police agency along 9A was going to run a checkpoint. No one would tolerate it. Wave runners definitely draw more attention because of their peers however even a 32' Whaler with 4 adults earned 3 "safety checks" in 5 hours including 1 while anchored. They need to find a way to coordinate with each other.

The kids' 12. He'll loop through the system again, and what will be the benefit? He'll come out more of a criminal then before.
The false alarm issues can get someone killed in a variety of ways, and needs to be stopped.
However, why not try to point these kids in the right direction, if applicable? Have them pack hose, mow the lawns at the firehouse and do janitorial duties, get if they prove themselves, get them to join the explorer program.
I think there needs to be more social responsibilty instead of ignoring these kids and the impact they can have if allowed to go untreated. (burden on law enforcement, courts, corrections over their lifespan). Most people on this forum are lucky to have been born into a good part of society and have, for the most part, had a upbringing where someone cared about them. These kid's don't have that. Nobody ever cared about them. They grew up in poverty and violence. They know that trouble brings them status, attention.
Again, this kid is 12. It's not too late.

If you are going to arrest the kids pulling the alarm at this type of facility then shouldn't they arrest the kids that pull them in all buildings? It has the same possible outcomes(accident while responding, someone getting killed etc...), makes no difference where the pull station was be it a school, mall, hospital or a juvy housing unit.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. As usual, all of the photos I took can be found on my flickr page. A link can be found bellow.

Find me a single story of a child predator using a tot finder decal. Most children are attacked by someone they already know.
The real problem is no one ever took them down. My neighbors house had them from when the kids were babies. They grew up and moved out but the stickers never came down. They finally came down when a new family with young children moved in. Go figure.

Put it this way, they expect 40,000 to sign up to take the test. Last test there were around 20,000 who passed it. The 2003 exam went into the 5000+ range on list numbers (correct me if Im wrong). On the exam from 2007 the highest list number that didn't have any bonus points (ie. Vets, Legacy, City resident) wasn't even in the top 2000. So get close to a 100 and you're in good shape get a 100+ and you are in better shape, get a 120 and you're all set. The top 2000 were only seperated by less than 3 points and all had bonus points of some kind.
On a side note,
To do some math to promote optimism (lol) heres a way to look at it: FDNY CID states it takes around 2.5 list numbers to hire one proby. In a perfect world they hold two academies a year at 220ish probys each (300 minus the 80 or so from the promo test, again a rough estimate scenerio here) for four years that'll be 1760 hires which means reaching around list number 4400ish. Thats a very rough estimate but it'll give you an idea. There are obviously way too many variables to take into consideration for an accurate estimate.
Hope I helped..

Firefighter Notice of Exam
Filing is from July 15th to September 15th and will cost $30.

Date: 7/11/11
Time: 02:53
Location: 14 Shaw Highway (cross of Maple Avenue / Town of Cortlandt)
Frequency: 46.26 / 453.650
Mohegan FD Units: 2261, 2262, 2263, 2265, 2266, E258, E252, L35
Peekskill FD Units: 2342, 2348, R134 (FAST)
Buchanan FD Units: 2551, U12 (Cascade)
WCDES Units: Battalion 17, C&O Zone 4
Mohegan VAC Units: 69B1, 35M1 (Cortlandt Medics)
Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy, 65 degrees
Description Of Incident: Heavy fire coming from a barn/shed
Reporters:
Writer: Da' Box
02:53 - E258, E252, L35 dispatched for reported structure fire.
02:58 - 2266 on location with heavy fire showing.
03:00 - Peekskill FAST, Buchanan Cascade, Mohegan VAC and Battalion 17 dispatched.
03:01 - E258 reports fully involved 25' x 25' shed fire.
03:02 - 2266 reports 1 burn victim. 35M1 added to incident, MVAC updated.
03:03 - L10 & E257 relocating to HQ.
03:05 - E252, L35 on location.
03:10 - R134 w/ FAST responding.
03:12 - 69B1 responding.
03:14 - 2551, U12 responding.
03:16 - 2266 requesting an ETA for EMS, 69B1 is 4 minutes out.
03:17 - R134 on location.
03:18 - 35M1 on location.
03:20 - 69B1 on location.
03:25 - Battalion 17 on location.
03:26 - 2551, U12 on location.
03:33 - Battalion 17 requesting C&O Team. C&O Zone 4 dispatched.
03:34 - 2263 requesting 2nd Ambulance to scene w/ rehab equipment.
03:35 - B17 reports 20x20 single-story frame structure, 2 L/S/O, exterior operation only.
03:46 - 69B1 ALS to Hudson Valley Hospital.
03:52 - 2261 placing fire under control, awaiting C&O Team.
03:56 - 1404 responding.
04:04 - 1404 on location, L35 returning to quarters.
04:06 - 2261 releasing Mutual Aid units. 69B1 clear of HVHC, going to HQ for rehab supplies (unable to get 2nd Ambulance out).
04:26 - 69B1 on location w/ rehab supplies.

I won't tell you that a 75 year old is still fit to drive and the fact that it does happen doesn't make it a good idea and certainly has very little relevancy to whether or not someone under 21 is fit to drive.

Date: 7/7/2011
Time: Approx 14:05
Location: 26 Main Street
Frequency: 453.5625
Units Operating: EHFD E-1 (quint), E-3, E-4, E-5, R-1, R-3, Sq-2, Branford E-1, Truck 1
Stanby units: EHFD E-6 & Branford E-2 at HQ, N. Branford E-1 at Station 3 (Foxon)
Weather Conditions: Humid, partly cloudy
Description Of Incident:
14:05 - E. Haven FD dispatched to a report fire on roof of a commercial structure, reported to be an HVAC unit.
14:09 - Car 1 now command reporting 2/12 wood commercial, heavily involved roof area. Car 1 requesting cover company in town.
14:10 - Command requesting Engine 3 to lay in another feeder.
14:12 - Branford dispatch to cover EHFD Hq. (Engine 4 to cover), North Branford Engine to cover Station 3 (Foxon)
14:13 - Branford Engine 1 & Truck 1 to staging at scene. Interior crews calling for line to be charge. Truss construction, partial collapse on Second floor, pulling out. Calling for deck gun of engine after pull out. Command ordering everyone out of the structure.
14:17 -Master stream being trained on the HVAC unit, not through the vent hole. BFD Truck 1 all the way to the back next to EHFD Engine 1. BFD Engine 1 looking for another water source.
14:22 - Engine 5 to take a hydrant and lay in per command. Command cancelling order, Engine 5 to back in and reverse lay to the hydrant.
14:24 - Branford to open up roof on south side, command giving okay but to have BFD crew to remain on ladder.
Branford Engine 1 is to reverse lay to a water source from scene. Command reporting interior crews to move to middle section of building, performing end-gable cut, hose crew be prepare to prevent it from extending past them.
14:25 (approx) - Branford Engine 2 now being dispatched for cover in East Haven.
14:27 - North Branford Engine 1 going to another alarm, brush fire (unknown location)
14:30 - Collapse to the rear portion of the building, front of building still not involved with fire as of yet. Progress being made, personnel to remain out of rear portion of building.
14:33 - Engine 5 pumping to Engine 4. Command asking if Engine 4 can supply feeder to Branford T-1 if needed. Also pulling a 2 1/2 line to crews off of Engine 4.
14:35 - Command reporting main body for fire knocked down. Operations requesting to shut down master streams so they can inspect inside and begin overhaul with fresh crews.
14:37 - Compromised roof as reported, UI secured power to building.
14:42 - Checking on a firefighter at scene, dispatch asking command if second ambulance needed. Command reporting no patient transports at this time. Standby ambulance on scene and 5-Charlie-50 (AMR supervisor) checking out FF.
14:47 - Command telling Ops a fresh crew standing by. Ops reporting master stream ineffective on collapsed portion due to it being compacted.
14:53 - Command to EHFD dispatch reporting incident under control. Branford Engine 1 and Truck 1 in process of picking up per BFD Car 6.
14:55 - Ops reporting to command overhaul in progress on second floor.
Reporter & Writer: IzzyEng4

The Croton Falls Fire Department, in Westchester County New York, recently took delivery of their new Chief's truck, a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe. As with many of today's first response vehicles, much time was invested to assure it could fulfill a multitude of capabilities.

One specific need was sufficient rear facing warning as the CFFD regularly responds up to I-684, a limited access, multi lane highway occupied by high speed, high volume traffic. As Chief's vehicles are typically the initial personnel to arrive on scene, and distracted, impatient drivers present a real danger to first and subsequent responders, the need for adequate rear warning was paramount.

As with most of the vehicles upfitted by SWS today, 2071 incorporates a 100% LED based warning system. Front facing components include a Whelen FX Freedom lightbar, two six head Dominators and two LINZ6s in the front grille with a Sound Off headlight flasher. Side warning is provided by M4s on each outer bumper corner, a four head Dominator Plus in each rear side cargo window and a Sound Off Intersector under each side view mirror. The rear is protected by a Whelen Outer Edge, Outer Pillar Edge, eight head Dominator Plus in the upper cargo window, two split color M4s on the cargo door and four LAW HideAway LEDs in the taillights. A CenCom system with a HOWLER low frequency siren system complete the overall warning package.

A custom built Command / Storage cabinet was installed in the rear cargo compartment which incorporates communications equipment, space for turnout & SCBA, four open storage compartments, adjustable shelving and slide out command drawer with marking whiteboard and clear overlay. Two additional four head Dominator Plus bars were installed on the sides of the cabinet to provide additional rear warning when the cargo door is raised. Rear vehicle area lighting for nighttime operations is provided by three LED compartment lights. Two dual lamp floods under the rear of the truck supplement the area work lights while also operating in conjunction with the OEM reverse lights.



The 24 inch Havis console contains the department and County radios, CenCom control head, storage box, side mounted armrests, dual cup holder, 12V power outlets and HOWLER controls.

Vehicle graphics include white reflective striping, red safety chevron on the rear door, along with gold leaf lettering and department artwork on each front passenger door.

Specialty Warning Systems extends it's thanks to the Croton Falls Fire Department for the confidence placed in us to provide their new Chief's vehicle. We look forward to working with them on future projects.
YouTube video link............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABtaENSy9fw
While we are appreciative and thankful for the hectic workload we have been working through since the move to our larger, more efficient facility last Thanksgiving, it has limited the amount of time we've had available to keep current projects posted on EMTBRAVO as they're completed. Most readers are probably well aware of the vehicles we deliver to fellow departments in Westchester, Putnam and Duchess Counties as they are delivered, but may not have had an opportunity to see vehicles that have been completed for other areas. We'll be starting to get these up for readers' interest and feedback in the near future. If NYS vehicles are of interest, we would be happy to post the most recent ones as well. Please let us know what you would like to see in the coming weeks and we'll be happy to get them up for you...........Thanks for everyone's support and interest !....... SWS

Chelsea House Fire
July 2, 2011 12:24
7 Van Ness Rd
Assisted by the city of Beacon & Castle Point VA FD with an engine (preplanned) on dispatch with Beacon Volunteer Ambulance and the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division on the scene. The Glenham & Hughsonville fire departments provided standby coverage. The Red Cross assisted the family

To all questioning F.A.S.T team. between Cheslea,Beacon, and Castle Point we had approx. 40 firefighters on scene. Approx 25 interior. We were using 5-8 members at a time either interior or on roof. That left about 15 members outside for relief and/or F.A.S.T.. there was also 2 engines sitting idle for back up if needed. I felt with the manpower at the scene we did not need a 2nd alarm or formal team on scene. All of my interiors are at least survival trained and most have F.A.S.T. . This was just a fire on second floor and under control in about 20-30 mins. the guys made a quick stop of the fire and kept the fire damage to the front 2 rooms and part of the roof. Any further questions feels free to p.m. me. Bob Van Tassel Chief Chelsea

Westchester County PD's New Mobile Command Unit

(Photo Courtesy MBF Industries)
Freightliner M2-106 chassis, 330 HP, 38' OA length, 41,000 GVWR, (3) slide outs, single axle, pass through cab to body, MBF re-mountable body, 20KW generator, electric awning, I/O panel, stabilizer jacks, emergency light package, roof access ladder, conference seating to fit (10), (2) workstations, galley, (2) equipment racks, .96M satellite, DSS, 30' mast, 36,000 BTU HVAC unit, (6) LCD screens, conference tech ports, 15" interactive display, digital PBX, (2) removable tables, (3) white boards, (2) slide out windows, fax/copy/scan, flashlights, microwave receiver, handheld radio charger, 30 amp Hubble, ext. storage compartment, ext. rack access, compressor, trailer hitch, ext. battery compartment, ext. 32" LCD monitor, custom paint & graphics.
More Photos And Specs:
http://www.mbfindustries.com/westchester

Here are some of my photos from toaday's fire in Rye. You can view the IA Here. You can view all the photos from today's fire here.

New pictures are posted on darienfire.org
@Izz&Bob: The legend is that this was the 1st in Connecticut, the 1st anywhere with bucket breathing air, and the 2nd 'scope in New England. That's the legend, anyway.
@norestriction: We did a fair amount of research on factors with regard to metal fatigue: With Seagrave and other experts. Provided we didn't ever drop it into a fire, drive it into a wall, or let it corrode, there is no risk of fatigue. The inspections were clean. The only damage was very superficial on one of the flies, from an old dislodged wear pad, which was insignificant. Obviously, you can't rule this out with all old booms, but being the original owners, knowing the equipment's history, and the quiet nature of its 40 year life, it's a good candidate for re-use.
@gotta: The height restrictions are pretty well in-hand. The old truck actually didn't fit under our lowest underpass after the rear-end was overhauled. The new one might, but it will be really close. As for being money well spent, a truck this capable, versatile and safe; protecting property as valuable as we have to, is worth a lot more than what we're laying out. For me personally, it was not an easy decision to make. With the committee, this option was the subject of a ton of scrutiny. The end result should be extraordinary.
@shadow: Make sure you let us know when you're back in town!

What you are referring to is called a Hypoxic drive. Normally we breath because our bodies pick up on the concentration of CO2 in our blood on the arterial side of the system via chemoreceptors located in various, but specific parts of our body. High levels in our PCO2 will cause us to breath faster in order to 'blow off CO2' and low levels in the PCO2 will cause us to breath in deeper and at a slower rate in order to retain CO2 to keep our Ph in between 7.35 - 7.45. The body must maintain this range in order to keep everything working optimally, too high or too low and things can get whacky, esp if it's for a prolonged period of time.
(On a side note, COPDers problems lies in that the are chronically hypoxic, and they are CO2 retainers because their problem isn;t necessarily getting the air in, it's getting the air out, called 'air trapping'. )
A hypoxic drive is when the body has changed over and is now monitoring the PO2 instead of the PCO2. So theoretically if the person reaches 100 % saturation then you've knocked out the stimulus to breath because the body thinks, oh well I'm 100% I guess i dont have to breath. COPDers are as i said, chronically hypoxic, so their drive to breath is because their normal PO2 is low, therefore signals to the body to breath. This hypoxic drive accounts for a low percentage of the population something like 9-10%. Recent studies have no found that COPDers are not soley dependent on this hypoxic drive. So while this may decrease morbidity/mortality, you won't necessarily 'knock out' a COPD PTs resp drive by giving them high flow O2.
One more point, I agree with this research and the titration of O2. Too many people I have found will put a patient on 100% NRBFM because "It's the protocol" Well thats stupid, and dangerous. Not everyone needs 100 O2. If someone is 98-100% if you really feel the need to put them on O2 then put them on 2-4 L N/C. And if it's not even a cardiac or resp related call, and their SpO2 is 100%, then can someone please tell me why it's necessary to place them on 100% NRBFM ? Really? Sorry I'm just an ICU/CCU RN, I clearly don't know what I'm doing..lol

Marine and Aviation Unit Demo:







County Police new design:





This caught my eye:

That’s it. You can find all of the photos I took here. Hope you enjoyed them.

nycmedic you couldn't be more wrong. If they did start sending EMS off at the PD text we're going to have more units chasing bogus arrests. That will make our already slow response time slower. Currently we're averaging just over 7 minutes to 1-3 segments. Add fire to the mix and the response times drop to 4:28. This doesn't include call processing. Just dispatched to 84. Firefighters, due to their numbers can quickly dismount and get to the patient. By the time we gather all our crap and wait for the elevator (because stairs scare us) we've taken another minute or two longer than the engine. So since arrest, its been 90 seconds of call taking, 7 minutes of driving, and say...2 minutes till patient contact. Thats over 5 minutes of dying brain.
Then we have AHA's research saying it takes 6 or 8 (I can't remember which) to effectively run an arrest.
Then there's perks that aren't quantified. CFR's operate in their normal response area. We get yanked all over the city. How many times have you been unsure of the jobs location until you saw the giant red signal light sitting ifo? Then we have to get the patient out of the tiny apt packed with 20 years of crap and 5 floors up. How efficiently can you clear the hallways, get your crap, and get the patient out with just the 5 of you?
Drop the I don't need firefighters bull and do what's best for the patient. Multiple hands doing high quality cpr for two minute intervals. Fire will be facing cuts, but removing the CFR program will only cost more lives.

Essex-Windsor EMS is a third service municipal (county) EMS service providing EMS to the City of Windsor (Ontario), the County of Essex and Pelee Island. Operating 35 ambulances and 15 support vehicles from 12 stations, our 275 medics responded to 48,000 calls (95% 911) in 2010. In addition, since we employ dynamic deployment, we had 37,000 station relocations and street corner postings. We recently took delivery of 3 - 2011 Chev Crestline Fleetmax Ambulances. Features include all exterior and interior Whelen LED lighting, ATSR multiplexed electrical system, ATSR ECORUN, ATSR AVL/GPS and a diesel hot air heater to provide supplemental heat to the patient compartment. These are our first vehicles to be equipped with the ATSR multiplexed electrical system and ECORUN. A study of vehicle idling time showed our vehicles to be idling 38% of their engine operating time. ECORUN manages vehicle idling time by monitoring battery voltage and interior temperatures and shutting down the vehicle engine when voltage and temperature are within preset parameters, while still allowing vehicle emergency and interior lighting, radios, etc to operate. If voltage and/or temperature fall out of preset parameters, ECORUN restarts the engine and runs until voltage and/or temperature return to within parameters. Diesel here is currently around $4.50 per gallon US. It is estimated if we were to put ECORUN on our entire fleet, we would save between $50,000 to $60,000 US annually in fuel costs.

It's refreshing to read a good story in the papers about the fire service with all the bad press we have been getting recently. I worked with Jim on occasion shortly before he retired, and am not surprised by his actions or his modest response. I think these types of stories happen all the time, but sadly the papers don't want to cover it. Another reason may be the off duty/ retired emergency workers often provide lifesaving care, then fade into the crowd with modesty,without accolades. That's the type of people the fire service draws to it- people wanting to provide service to the community, and to help them in their time of need, with no desire to get attention for their actions. Great job Jim.
Thanks to LoHud for the good press

The controls from the bucket...

The Controls from the "turntable"