Alpinerunner

On June 22, 1997 Lieutenant Michael E. Neuner lost his life in the Line of Duty
fighting a Fire in Brewster, NY.
Michael was also a Police Officer in the City of Peekskill.
ALAWAYS REMEMBER...
#585 BREWSTER FD
#27 PEEKSKILL PD

Yup! I think everyone who responds to the airport should read NTSB 830. Here is part of the law.

Loopy31 and Joetnymedic great posts!
I dont see how anyone can argue this response. You guys did what was asked of yourselves and your respective Departments. The average Joe back step firefighter had nothing to do with creating the responses for the airport, you just show up when the radio goes off and do your thing, and for you guys to have to see this Monday morning quarterbacking is sad. The same people will be there to knock you when you send to little out the doors. Good job guys.

haha, well no I haven't seen the mountain lion. But I'll report it here first if I do!
Seriously though I don't know why it's so hard to believe. I mean SFRD's higher ups have been the ones that were first saying it existed, as a reason for disallowing the volunteer departments' paid staff to continue helping their old departments. Ask Keatly, as it's addressed to him!

Are you calling me liar? I'm not commenting about its importance or FSLA or any of that. Just confirming its existance.

Went on the job in a small city in Connecticut in May, 1975. No formal training. Only thing the Capt told me was ride the back step and hang on tight. He then brought me up to the third floor attic area of the firehouse and told me to pick some gear that fits from a pile of used stuff. Of course Nothing really fit, but I took the best I could find in that junk pile. Then he brought me out and showed me how to tie into a hydrant.
One thing that helped me was that I had been a volunteer in a combination paid/volly dept. Those career guys (Fairfield, Ct) were Great. They gave us a lot of training, and the Capt of training would train us every Wednesday Night. Everything like air packs, hose handling, and ladders.
I was told that I had to put the flag out and take it in. And make sure there was always fresh coffee on the stove. Being thick skinned was certainly a requirement. The senior guys had no trouble telling you what they thought.
Around 1990 or so, we went to the new Bunker gear. I hated the stuff, but I know it was a lot safer. We also all got to carry our own radio on each shift. Before that, only the officers had portables.
I put in 30 years. Saw so many changes its hard to list them. One such change was that we used to watch the ambulance go by the firehouse for a heart attack victim. In those days you would respond to a trash can fire, but, NOT for a life threatening medical emergency. We were just starting to get EMTs on the Dept. I was one of the first. The older guys would say "We're Not doctors, we're Firemen". Now, in that 50 man dept, EVERYBODY IS an EMT.
In those days maybe we didn't go on medicals, but we sure went to a lot more fires.
I loved the job. When I retired it was like I had "Won the Lottery and Lost my Best Friend" at the same time. A bitter/sweet day. But I knew it was time. When everybody in the firehouse wasn't even born when I got on the job, I guess its time to go. So in January, 2004, I did.
Firefighting is certainly a young, strong persons job. No longer called "Firemen" they are called "Firefighters". Another major change to the fire dept during those years. We had our first lady "Firemen", I mean, "Firefighters".

I simultaneously joined my college fire department and my local fire department. At the college department we had pull up rubber boots, rubber coats and steel helmets. The local department (Briarcliff) had pull up rubber boots, polycarbonate helmets, cotton duck coats. In short order I purchased my own nomex bunker pants, nomex coat, gloves, boots, cairns new yorker helmet. A lot of years went by before the department issued PPE as good as what I bought for myself.
In the days of Plectron home recievers I also purchased my own Minitor when they first came out. You could do things like that then when you were single and working. I also had wig-wags in my POV long before they appeared on the police cars. You didn't need a blue light with a pair of wig wags back in the mid 70's.
Our scott air packs were in cases stored in a cabinet before it became standard practice to mount them and there weren't enough to go around. We also rode the rear step and sometimes 'geared up' on the hose bed while responding.
We got one of the very first hurst tools, I think in '75, when the department that ordered it couldn't write the check and our chief could. Back then fatal MVA's on our stretch of the Taconic occurred on a regular basis. That same hurst tool is still on our engine today. (Its been refurbished). When I joined we had an open cap, no doors 1948 Mack. At the time Briarcliff was all Mack. We replaced it in 1972 with a CF Mack with the first automatic transmission in our department.
The ambulances were all cadillacs then and I was among the first group of 5 EMT's in our department. When we got our first modular it was like treating someone in a ballroom by comparison. We did a bus disaster drill in Ossining one time, I was also with OVAC, and we had two patients suspended from the ceiling, one on the bench and one on the stretcher in the cadillacs. About a month later and a couple days apart we had car vs bus accidents on North Highland Avenue by the Highland Diner.
I think the best thing about the fire/EMS business is that you never forget the old memories and everyday gives you the opportunity for a new one. It never gets old, even though we do.

Spent my Father's Day rephotographing a few apparatus that I never photographed in digital in New Rochelle.
Thanks and Happy Father's Day to the members of New Rochelle and Mount Vernon for their assistence.

Here are some photos taken by Gus Stretz and myself of new apparatus deliveries received in Westchester County.

I was R18-3 on this call.
We used EVERY airbag and EVERY piece of cribbing on our rig.
We had pretty much everything from the airbag compartment under that locomotive.
Metro-North's yard employees used a forklift to bring us an additional pallet load of scrap railroad ties to use as cribbing, which is what really helped us get the needed height for the lift.
I can't remember what size each of the airbags is off-hand, but there are 6 of them on the rig.
Five are various sized squares, while one is a long rectangle.
In the photo on YHFD's page, you can see that the pilot (aka "The Cow Catcher") on the locomotive had to be bent upwards to make the extrication.
The patient had been run over by the pilot and was pinned in the section under those steps, right in front of those wheels.
He had been dragged under the locomotive for a little while before the engineer realized he was under there (when running in that direction, the engineer is on the other side of the locomotive and can't see that side at all).

"Just what does $456,000 buy you these days? Well, if you happen to run the fire department of China's Luoyang City, the answer is a jet-propelled water cannon capable of spraying four tons of water per minute."from the linked article.
Huh, 4 tons? You mean they're super impressed with a 1000 gpm (just under) master stream? While it looks impressive, it appears one could do the same by just over pumping the pressure to a 2" tip? You'll notice the single medium diameter line they have supplying the "cannon". Maybe we can market "insane" fire apparatus to the Chinese and work off some of our national debt.

As an example of the above, and since I pick apart a lot of what I see here:
My crew ran on this reported apartment building fire last week. On arrival, fire out one window on the second floor-side #4 and just starting to take the rear porch door on side #3 just around the 3-4 corner. Entry through side #1 (front) to the common hall door the fire apartment (second floor rear). The conditions in the second floor hall were zero smoke, zero heat, 6 doors. The rear apt. entry door was bubbling and popping with a faint wisp of smoke at the top. The crew could have taken the door immediately attempted to make a search and hold the fire with the can, remembering the fire was out a single window and nearly adjacent door. Instead it was decided that the line would be placed to the door before entry. While the line was stretched the adjacent apartment was searched and found untouched even though it sheared two common walls with the fire apartment. Once the line as in placed the door was forced (also found to be seasonally closed off and not used) the condition in the common hall when to zero visibility and moderate heat at the 2-3 foot level. The line advanced quickly and knocked down the fire with seemingly relative ease. What the crew did not see was that while the stretch was taking place, the fire took the side #3 door and another window on side #3, in two separate rooms and as the door was forced completely lit off the rear porch. The point being, what looked like a fire that the can may have be able to subdue temporarily, likely was not a good candidate. The added volume of air allowed the fire to greatly intensify rapidly and without the 180 gpm line immediately flowing things could have been far different. The end result was things went very well and aside from minor water damage to the unit directly below the fire, only the fire apartment was uninhabitable by the next evening. I can honestly say if it weren't for solid core doors and solid(no holes) lathe and plaster and adequate sheetrock, the outcome would have a bit worse.
BTW for anyone from Elmont LI, the fire was reported by a new Coast Guard kid who used to be a member of EFD L2? Did a nice job alerting residents and giving the Chief a nice report on arrival. I think the USCG Base Commander here is putting up for a commendation with our support.

This was just after arrival.(Side 3)

While crews are making entry (not our ground ladder!)

Just after entry to fire apartment
photos by Rockland FD Photographer Alan Athearn

sure its for fire fighting..... its really for crowd control...

Sleepy Hollow FD welcomed back Michael Wilbur of Emergency Vehicle Response (www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com) for Aerial Operations Training on Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th.
Michael is truly amazing. Many thanks!

Date: 6/12/11
Time: 09:03
Location: 1 Old Bedford Road South of the Golden's Bridge Train Station @ NYSEG substation (I684 Southbound mm 18.7)
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 13, Fireground 5, EMS 13
Units Operating: GBFD: 2141, 2142, 2143, Rescue 24, Engine 140, Rescue 25, Battalion 13, LVAC 67B1, 67B2, 6706, WEMS 45M3, NYSP, MTA Police, 2643 (Metro North Asst. Fire Chief), STAT FLIGHT (Stand-by), Stand-by: 2451, 2453, E168 relocated to Golden's Bridge Fire Headquarters
Weather Conditions: Clear
Description Of Incident: Person Struck by Train, Possible Suicide
Writer: RES24CUE
09:03 GBFD, WEMS, LVAC dispatched to 1 Old Bedford Road, South of the Golden's Bridge Train Station for a person struck by a train.
09:05 2141, 2143 Responding
09:07 2142, Rescue 24 Responding
09:08 2141 On Scene at Golden's Bridge Train Station with Battalion 13
09:09 2144 Requesting Assignment for Rescue 24, 2141 states that incident is unfounded at the Golden's Bridge Train Station, instructs 2143 to drive south on I684 to check the track south of the train station, Rescue 24 instructed to enter the Commuter Parking Lot and make entry to gate at the south end of the lot. 6706 requests STAT FLIGHT on Stand-by
09:10 2143 On Scene, Reports that the incident is at the NYSEG substation (I684 SB MM 18.7), 2141 instructs all units to divert to that location, E140 Responding
09:11 2143 reports DOA, incident will be a body Recovery, 6706 Cancels STAT FLIGHT
09:12 2141 On Scene Establishing Golden's Bridge Command, Rescue 24 On Scene- 2144 has Operations on Fireground 5
09:15 Engine 140 On Scene
09:18 2142 On Scene
09:19 Battalion 13 requests 1 Engine from South Salem FD to Stand-by at Golden's Bridge Fire Headquarters as per 2141
09:21 2451, 2453 Responding
09:25 Engine 168 Responding
09:31 Engine 168 On Location Standing By at GBFD
11:06 2141 states that all Golden's Bridge Units are back In Service, Releasing South Salem with Thanks, Scene is Released to NYSP, MTA PD

Driver's door skin impaled on the fence

Initial impact to the red pickup

Today, I managed to catch an oppurtunity to photograph a firescene in the City Of Austin. Although it was out and being overhauled by the time I arrived, I still managed to get some shots. I don't usually buff fires, unless they are nearby and I am already out. I don't think I've photographed a fire scene since 2006. Down here they have fires every day, but it's not news unless it's a big fire.
Upon arrival of first due Engine 34 and first due truck Quint 38, heavy fire upon arrival from the attic area. CAFS knocked the fire down dead cold in it's tracks. Please note it's almost 100 degrees out during this fire.
All photos by me.

Date: 6/5/2011
Time: 1050hrs
Location: Westchester County Airport, Runway 16
Frequency: 46.26, Fire 15, Fire 19, EMS 19, EMS 15
Units Operating: [HPN: Airport 7, Airport 11, Ops], [PFD: E240, TL53, R30], [PCFD: 2393, 2392, E59, L31, R40], [AFD: 2021, 2022, 2027, T9, 51B3, 51B2], [WEMS: 45M1], [WCDES: Bat 15, Bat 16, Bat 19, EMS 11], [PCRRBEMS: 77A4], [HEMS 61A1], WCDPS
Weather Conditions: clear and cool
Description Of Incident: Aircraft landing with a landing gear problem. Landing gear was confirmed in the "Up position". 2 Persons on board with 50lbs of fuel. Aircraft was a Cessna 210. Plane landed safely, no injuries.
Reporters: firedude
Writer: firedude
Aircaft info:
Tail Number: N9191M
Cessna Centurion 210M
Fixed wing single engine
Flight was from Buffalo (KBUF) to Westchester (KHPN)
Flight Level was 9,000 Feet MSL and 160 knotts
Flight Tracker
2250hrs: Original Dispatch for a level 1 emergency
2255hrs: 2021 seting up command at staging area in IC trailer
2257hrs: 2393 Staging manager
2310hrs: 60 Control advises aircarft 5 minutes out, belly up landing on runway 16 (per Airport 7)
2312hrs: Airport 7 advises pilot pulled emergency gear (Lets gear fall with gravity). Instruments showed 3 Green lights (indication that the gear is down and locked)
2315hrs: Aircraft landed safely, no injuries
2316hrs: All units released from scene (per IC)
2327hrs: all units clear

I believe CTFF is closer to what a little birdy told me was in the works for later today. As for Glenbrook, well it's wonderful to read that such a good "working" relationship has developed from their situation. Unfortunately with a response record of only 12% of their dispatched calls, one has to wonder just how much work they are actually doing. That record by the way is one that is far worse then even the most abysmal response from the other much mailgned VFDs in town. Frankly many tend to see Glenbrook and it's relationship with SFRD as more akin to that of a "puppet regime" to it's master. They have been repeatedly touted as the "model" VFD to support the SFRD vision for Stamford's future. With that 12% as a model is it any wonder the others have chosen a different route.
Cogs

One of two of the familiy dogs was visibly shaken......

Trying to calm the dog.....

Using a throw rope for a leash.....

All better.....

Time to be reunited with its owner......

Chill'n.....

Thumb'n

Smokin.....

Talk'n....
and lastly,

Walk'n...... Members of the FID make the scene......

La Grange, assisted by Arlington, Beekman, East Fishkill, Pleasant Valley, and Union Vale operated at this structure fire at #11 Trinity Way. La Grange was dispatched shortly after 6:00 am for a reported structure fire at that address. LA Grange 47-11 arrived withing several minutes and encountered fire from the A-B corner of the structure with all the occupants out of the structure.....

Walking In.......

Wow....... I'm a little too late.....

Hmmm, "Small" house.......

Porta Tank operation out in the street......

La Grange Command (Career Chief Ward) in the neighbors driveway..........

Tired crowd at the front door.....

Firefighter/Medic Tom Martel was first due with 47-11 and was O/S in several minutes with heavy fire showing.....

Big houses and no hydrants...... East Fishkill 39-33 goes for water after dumping a load.....

Time for some air...... These guys made a great stop......

DCDER Deputy Fire Coordinator Keith Davidson and DCDER Fire Coordinator Kyle Pottenburgh were on the scene.....

Looking out towards the street.....

Date: 5-31-2011
Time: 17:35 (?)
Location: Croton-Harmon Rail Yard (North Yard)
Frequency: 60-Control (46.26); Fireground 2
Units Operating: Croton FD Car 2082, Engine 119, Rescue 18; 36-Medic; Croton EMS; Yorktown FD Car 2531, Utility 36, Rescue 16; Metro North FD Car 2641. 2643; Medevac Air 2; Croton PD; MTA PD;
Weather Conditions: 89 degrees, sunny, dry
Description Of Incident: Metro North Railroad (MNRR) employee was working on a train in the yard on the northeast side of the old shop building and was struck by MNRR work locomotive #106 on track 135. The worker was pinned between the plow on the long hood side of the hood and the first wheel, underneath the steps.Airbags were used to remove patient. Yorktown FD was called for additional airbags. Patient was breathing but was declared a Level 1 trauma. PT was air lifted my Air 2 to Westchester Medical Center.
Reporters: Firedude; RITRobotoX (O/S)
Writer: PFDRes47cue
1748 - Yorktown FD toned out for their rescue to respond with their airbags.
1753 - 60-control advises that Medevac is at Westchester Medical Center. Croton Car 2082 advises to launch Medevac. Engine 119 will be the LZ Engine.
1754 - 60-control advises that the rail has been de-energized as per the train master
1800 - Air 2 advising "One-Zero minute ETA."
1802 - Air 2 advised by 60-control that Engine 119 is their ground contact and will try to land them in the ball field just over the railroad tracks.
1805 - Croton EMS toned out for an additional driver to respond an additional ambulance to Croton-Harmon Yard.

With darkness quickly approaching, firefighters discuss the plan......

The "swimmer" for the operation, Arlington Firefighter John Ortiz, gets suited up.....

Firefighters check their web of ropes and pulleys that will be used to carry out the operation

Laughter and boredom..... The five await their trip back to the shore......

FF Ortiz prepares to make his way out to the stranded five....

Once FF Ortiz reached them, each was fitted with a safety flotation vest in preparation for the trip back into shore.........

With three girls on board, they listen intensely as FF Ortiz gives them some instructions.

A TransCare Medic uses his flashlight to illuminate the raft from the Town of Poughkeepsie side of the creek as everybody shares a little laughter.....

The first three girls are safely returned to shore w/o any additional injuries.....

A TransCare Medic with the help of the girls father, and the steadying hand of a DCSO Sheriffs Deputy, carry the girl back to the bus for evaluation and treatment of her injury.....