eric12401

So what's up people? Just an opinion, since the site has undergone the software change, feels to me like the "environment" has changed as well.
To the career firefighting Brothers: I realize there is immense pressure on the home-front these days, meaning the jobs are under pressure. Nobody can get a contract, morale is suffering, making it harder to do what you do, Yonkers wants to mess with the job again. Regarding a website like this, there is a new awareness that social media can have real world ramifications.
Witness the Miami-Dade fire captain who recently posted a rant on facebook about the George Zimmerman case. That got him demoted to buck private. I guess he's lucky he's still on the job. The rules in Florida for civil servants can be severe, but I guess that's true everywhere. Just more severe in some places.
And I guess that's why a lot of Brothers and Sisters who used to post more frequently have pulled back as of late. Not that they rant, rather they're being hesitant. It's smart to CYA. You gotta.
Once again just an opinion but the direction can change for the positive. The discussions about firefighting, experiences, the posting of photos of apparatus, these types of posts should be expanded upon, so more people will come back in to the discussion boards. I think many are hesitant to post anything, and it's in direct connect to the job now.
We all knew that was coming. Word was out on this site long ago. Remember the "Cameras are everywhere" thread? Take a look at the NY Post this morning. they are attempting to vilify an NYPD Sgt. who was speaking on the street to the local thugeries that only understand street. One little rat videoed him, and bango, front page of the Post. I watched that video. There is nothing surprising or vile in it. The vile is a morality dictate from the "so morally pure" organization that prints it. You know the one with the phone tap scandal going on. Those morally pure folk.
Trying to destroy an Sgt doing the job the way it gets done in some places. Dealing with a subject with a reported 20 arrests. Nice guy. And the paper exploits this dirtbag to denigrate the NYPD. Why?
The point of this post is directed at the career Brothers and the cops, and ems, and volunteer firefighters who make up this online forum/community. There is so much you can still talk/write about. It will lift morale for guys to get back to discussing the stuff we all learn from.
Happy Monday morning. You know what that media saturation of bad news, it hits everybody. We ll need to stay vigilant enough to realize, just take a look around you, and you'll see the American economy is still vibrantly active, sure there are big problems with the GOVT, but Americans mostly yawn and go back to work. the gazzilion stories of the 10 percent who are unemployed struggling is indeed worthy of attention. But take a look around you at the thriving, the commerce, the technology, the defeat of terrorists.
This country is tired and worked out, but it never gives up. And that's why things are going to be okay. That's why eventually the GOVT will figure out what the hell they are doing. Someday things will come back. The dread, the doom, you know what it's just not worth worrying about it. It'll make you sick unless you step up and put it all down, and continue to do what you do.
So how about some more postings? I yearn to read more from just about everybody here. Like the Summerville Brother said, have a great day.

Hey guys. We finally got our new med truck back from striping. New design if anyone has seen the other truck pics I've posted. 2012 Expedition all Whelen Lighting.

The Troopers were the first to arrive. Yes, the police often respond to emergencies in the rural parts of the state. This being a Friday afternoon, just before Christmas in a sparsely populated town with a well hidden from road/view structure the fire had a lot of headway before it was discovered. The person who discovered the fire actually drove to the volunteer firehouse to report it, found no one there and used the emergency phone to notify 911. The fire department was finally called, and almost immediately called 3 more departments under mutual aid for assistance. There is not a career fire department within sight of southern Columbia County. Troopers arrived initially and updated 911. The fire department did eventually show up with an engine, a tanker and a rescue each with a driver. With the limited manpower and some more enroute from neighboring departments with extended ETA's, the IC asked the Troopers for assistance to try to keep the fire from extending to the other portion of the house. The Troopers, 3/4 who are volunteer firefighters with chief officer experience and training obliged with permission from their supervisor. When enough fire personnel arrived, the Troopers were relieved and re-assumed their law enforcement roles.
Maybe not the best situation, but it happened, happened safely and they did do some good. Let's face it, this fire was the biggest thing going on in Columbia County at the time and the 2 speeders that got away on the Taconic during the time the Troopers were manning the hoseline will be caught next time.
As someone who takes a lot of fire pics in the Greene & Columbia areas I see the cooperation between law, fire and rescue squads all the time. You look up here at fire scenes and say "What the ....??" and I look at operations in the "Metro" areas and just scratch my head.
And Truck12345 seriously? Bill the FD for the Troopers time?? Maybe we should send bills to the NYSP every time we have to sit at a wire down on a STATE road and wait for NiMo or CH?? Maybe the next time we need the Troopers to help close a road so we can lay supply line across the street, maybe they won't be there.
I'm proud and happy that these Troopers were able to help and were not so disgruntled and screwed up that they just looked crosseyed at the Chief and said "Sorry dude. Not my job."

GREAT move. I have nothing against the IA's, but we as a membership can not learn much from them, other than something is going on somewhere.
Most of the topics I have been trying to follow always get booted from the recent topics list and it is frustrating to say the least, especially when people post the same incident over and over again, updating every lasting detail, every radio transmission, every time the IC farts...its a little redundant and if everyone wants to follow those things that closely, use the shout box.
I think we are forgetting what this forum is for primarily and that is discussing current topics and events in the fire, EMS and law enforcement fields. If I want to know what is happening in east bejesus NY I will buy a scanner and program it with a thousand channels and listen to that all day, when I come here it is to read and participate in forum discussions and look at pictures and videos of emergency scenes and apparatus being purchased/sold. Sorry to sound boring, but the IA's can tend to be distracting and even a little annoying at times. Use the shout box for IA tracking and use the forums for what they are...Forum Discussions.
Sorry, end of rant, begin torrent of useless insults and jabs at me all because I posted my opinion on the matter, and have a great day.
Moose

No matter what anyone says, the IC made a COMMAND DECISION, and utilized whatever resources he had available at the time. What would be the difference between setting up a master stream and leaving it flowing unattended, versus putting those fine gentlemen in charge of a hoseline (aside from the fact that a master stream shouldn't be left unattended)?
I applaud the IC recognizing that help was needed and seeking the assistance, and even more, thumbs up to the Purple Ties for rising to the task. They very easily could have said "not my job" and gone and secured a perimeter/the scene (not a knock on LEO's).
I have been on many scenes that the PD assisted with fire operations, none were ever freelancing, and everyone forgets....
WE ARE ALL OUT THERE FOR ONE PURPOSE!!! TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So long as that gets done, in a controlled manner, and everyone goes home safe, everyone should take a chill pill, and re-focus and worry about the problems they/their own department has, before throwing out s*** about what others do.
[/rant]

Put turnout gear on these guys and what do you have - a disciplined company operating as a team with a supervisor.......

Date: 5/3/12
Time: Appx 1740
Location: West Fulton Rd X - st Mickey Hollow rd & I - 88 overpass
Frequency: 46.18, 46.22
Units Operating: Cobleskill; Car 5002, Car 5003, 5011, 5061, 5092, Lifenet 7-2
Weather Conditions: Sunny, Warm
Description Of Incident: One car MVA reported as car into the pond
Reporters: Conman o/s
All times are approximate
1740 hrs - Cobleskill fire, Cobleskill rescue, EMS coordinator for a one car MVA, car into a pond
1742 hrs - 5011, 5002, 5003 responding
1745 hrs - Cobleskill fire, Cobleskill rescue 2nd transmission, 5061, 5092 responding
1747 hrs - 5011, 5002, 5003 arriving. 5011 reporting one car involved not in pond, serious injuries
1750 hrs - 5061, 5092 arriving. 5051 responding
1751 hrs - Extrication in progress, Schoharie 911 advising 5011 EMS coordinator not available.
1800 hrs - 5011 requesting medivac to be launched.
1801 hrs - Schoharie 911 advising Lifenet 7-2 has been launched. Appx 5 min ETA
1815 hrs - Lifenet 7-2 on the ground
1820 hrs - Extrication complete. Pt being packaged.
1823 hrs - Lifenet 7-2 in the air, enroute to Basset Hospital
1830 hrs - Cobleskill units clearing scene, in service

Hours I don't mind, I like popping on to see who had jobs that day or overnight. Days however I agree with you, unless its "the big one" or has some kind of special circumstance I could care less who had a room and contents job 3 days ago.

I've removed Incident Alerts from the "Recent Topics" list found on the Board Index, since the can now be found in the Shoutbox.
This is due to some members flooding the Recent Topics list with IA's, which distracts from other threads and pushes other topics out of the way.
This is a trial only right now.

As I read the IA about the 4th alarm with maydays in the Bronx yesterday (thanks ryang), I am confronted with strong concerns and reservations about how that would happen anywhere in the suburbs. This is not a paid/volunteer issue. This is a major incident response issue because no matter what your pay status, we've cultivated a recipe for failure in this region with absolutely no standardization, abysmal leadership/management training programs and experience levels, and no means to effectively coordinate the response.
Some are probably already cracking their knuckles and gearing up for a keyboard battle but before you do, take a deep breath and let me finish my thought.
Yesterday in the Bronx, a fire in ordinary buildings that we have all over our suburbs, resulted in the initial response of more than 40 "interior" (and I hate that distinction but more on that later) firefighters (4 E, 1 S, 3 L, 1 BC, S/C 1/1, plus 10-75 response). How many of our departments can honestly say we can put that many qualified, trained, and equipped FF on the road in the first three minutes?
Within five minutes, the 2nd alarm results in another TWO DOZEN fully equipped FF responding. All from the same agency, with the same training, SOP's, equipment, and leadership. Wow, who can beat that?
SIXTY-FIVE fully qualifed FF in five minutes with an appropriate span of control and properly trained supervisors for each resource. Imagine that?
I'm sure that some will argue that you don't need 65 FF for a job like that and they can do it in their agency with far fewer resources but my point is wouldn't it be nice to know that you have that many qualified guys at your disposal in a staging area a few blocks away and not 20 minutes and a dozen dispatches later?
Now, the other shoe drops. With all those resources already on scene and operating. With several highly experienced and qualified chiefs running the show, there's a collapse and multiple maydays.
What would you do as the IC?
What would you do as the attack officer supervising the missing FF?
Do you have training for that scenario?
Do you have a pre-plan for that?
Are there SOP's for the actions of everyone on the fireground when it does happen (and regrettably it will happen)?
In the Bronx, it resulted in the response of another SEVENTY-FIVE firefighters/company officers with at least another half dozen very experienced chief officers and support resources up the wazoo.
All this was coordinated by the County communications center (FDNY Bronx Radio). It wasn't the local police desk trying to coordinate all the requests from the field while answering the switchboard and trying to dispatch seventy different resources. It wasn't a dozen different PSAP's all doing it their own way. It was part of a plan! (Some will undoubtedly argue that it isn't a good plan or it is overkill or whatever but my point is there is a plan and a standardized response!).
The chief officers that handled this fire probably have at least 12-15 years of experience as an officer backed up and supported by alot of training, drills and exercises. (FDNY has one of the elaborate exercise programs I've ever seen).
What do we have?
What do we require of our officers?
How do we get them the experience they need for this type of incident?
How experienced are they?
Are there any SOP's so dispatch knows what to do when the mayday is transmitted?
The FDNY response and resources is without question unique but how would we handle this kind of response? In a simple 3 story frame house fire that spread to similar exposures. This wasn't a high-rise. This wasn't a big factory. This was a row of buildings like almost any town in the Hudson Valley, Fairfield, or north Jersey.
It's time to stop the petty bickering and organize. If we won't consolidate we should at least agree on training, equipment, and response policies so when the other shoe drops on you there's a fighting chance for the trapped members!!!
It's 2012. The time for 90+ different dispatch points in Westchester is long gone We need a single coordinated 911 center for police fire and EMS in every county with properly trained professional 911 call-takers and dispatchers doing their jobs.
Put the ego and attitide and bravado aside and start lobbying for what is best for not just now but the future!

Date: 4/14/12
Time: 13:15 hours
Location: Van Nest Ave x Holland Ave
Description Of Incident: Heavy fire in a 3-story frame on arrival extended to exposures 2, 2A, 4, and 4A. Partial collapse resulting in multiple maydays and missing MOS.
Reporter: ryang
Additional Info:
Van Nest, the Bronx, NY, 4/14/12
Address: 726 Van Nest Ave between Holland and Hunt Aves
13:14 hours
Phone Box 3217 - Report of fire in a multiple dwelling
Engs 90, 45, 97
TL41, TL58
Battalion 20
13:15 hours
Now receiving multiple calls
Squad 61 (4th due Engine)
Rescue 3
10-75-3217 - 13:15 hours
E64*
L47 (FAST Truck)
Battalion 18
Division 7
*Squad 61 now going in as a Squad
13:17 hours
Battalion 20: We're delayed responding from the other end of our district, start out an extra engine and truck based on the volume of smoke.
E96, TL54 S/C
2-2-3217 - 13:19 hours
TL41: Transmit a 2nd Alarm, we've got a fire on the exposure 2 side.
Engs 88, 46, 48
E72 w/ Satellite 2
L38
Battalion 3 (Safety Officer)
Battalion 27 (Resource Unit Leader)
Rescue, Safety Battalions
Tactical Support 1
FieldCom 1, Command Tactical Unit
RAC3
13:20 hours
BC20: we have 2 3-story frames going, k.
13:25 hours
Tactical Support 1 is OOS, Tactical Support 2 assigned
13:30 hours
The staging area is Morris Park Ave and White Plains Rd
13:38 hours - Duration 26 minutes
DC7: 3217, we have heavy fire in a 3-story brownstone-type 25x50. Exposure 1 is a street, exposure 2 is a similar attached, 3 is a rear yard, 4 is a 3-story frame separated by an alley. We have fire in exposure 4, we have fire in the cockloft, we have 4 lines stretched in operation, and we are Doubtful.
13:39 hours
Car 4C (AC Ronald Spadafora, Chief of Logistics) is responding.
3-3-3217 - 13:40 hours
DC7: 3217, make it a 3rd alarm, we have fire in 3 buildings.
Engs 82, 94, 50, 66
L27, L56
Battalion 17
Battalion 19 (Staging Manager)
Battalion 33 (Air-Recon Chief)
Mask Service Unit
10-66-3217 (Automatic 4th Alarm) - 13:55 hours
DC7: 10-66, we have 3 Maydays given, 1 has been accounted for, we're still looking for the other 2, we've had a partial collapse between the fire building and exposure 4.
Engs 75, 89, 79
E73 (CFRD Engine)
E262 w/ IMT Unit
E233 w/ Mobile Command 1
L32, TL50, L37
L42 (SOC Support Truck) w/ Collapse Rescue 3
L116 w/ Collapse Rescue 4
Battalion 26 (FAST Group Supervisor)
Battalion 15 (Firefighter Locator Officer)
Battalion 10 (Planning Sections Chief)
HazMat Battalion
Division 6
Squad 41, Squad 1 w/ TRV
Rescue 4
SOC Compressor, SOC Logistics, SOC Dewatering
Car 1B (Commissioner's Liaison)
Car 23D (Press Duty Car)
Car 12 (DAC Stephen Raynis, Chief of Safety and Inspectional Services)
Car 4 (Chief of Fire Operations Robert Sweeney)
13:59 hours
Battalion 15: Box 3217, do we have EMS on the scene?
Bronx advises that EMS is on scene.
14:03 hours - Duration 51 min
FieldCom: Progress Report for Box 3217, Division 7 reports: all 3 Maydays have been accounted for and removed from the building. 1 additional member has been injured and also has been removed from the building. Going to an exterior operation, Doubtful Will Hold.
14:03 hours
Fallback Step III has been implemented in The Bronx.
14:06 hours
FC: Have all units responding on the 10-66 report to the staging area, by orders of Division 7.
14:10 hours
Car 1E (Commissioner's Liaison) is responding
14:15 hours - Duration 1 hour 3 minutes
FC: Progress Report for your 4th Alarm Box 3217, at the address 730 Van Nest Ave, at this time Car 4C, AC Spadafora, reports: fire originated in a 3-story nonfireproof, started on 1st floor and communicated to the 2 and 3rd floors, and communicated to exposures 2 and 4. At this time rollcall is being conducted, the Maydays are accounted for. Operating with 2 tower ladder and multiple handlines, fire is darkening down, fire is Doubtful Will Hold.
14:17 hours
FC requests a mixer-off message.
14:23 hours Duration 1 hour 11 minutes
DC7: 4th Alarm, by orders of AC Spadafora, we have heavy fire in exposure 4A, outside wall. All units being removed, we're going to remain Doubtful.
14:25 hours
Car 14 (Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes) is responding
14:27 hours
Car 36B (Department Chaplain) is responding
Car 33 (Duty Medical Officer) is 10-84
14:32 hours - Duration 1 hour 21 minutes
FC: By orders of Car 4C, AC Spadafora, make notification for Buildings and OEM to respond to the scene forthwith. Progress report for the 4th Alarm Box 3217, at the address 730 Van Nest Ave, at this time Car 4C, AC Spadafora, reports: we have fire in the top floor of exposure 4A which is a 2-story frame corner building. At this time going to an exterior operation on the original fire building, exposure 4 and exposure 4A. We have a handline stretched and operating into exposure 2. Searches delayed due to structural stability, fire is Doubtful Will Hold
14:33 hours
Car 16D (Communications) is responding
14:34 hours
FC: Additional info on the last progress report for the 4th, all units are being pulled from the interior and going to exterior operations.
14:45 hours - Duration 1 hour 34 minutes
FC: Progress Report for your 4th Alarm Box 3217, at the address 730 Van Nest Ave, at this time Car 4C, AC Spadafora, reports: we have gone to an exterior operation on all buildings involved, we have 3 tower ladders set up and operating, all units are out of the fire buildings, searches delayed due to heavy volume of fire and structural stability, fire is Doubtful Will Hold.
14:54 hours - Duration 1 hour 42 minutes
FC: Progress Report for your 4th Alarm Box 3217, at the address 730 Van Nest Ave, Chief of Operations Sweeney reports: we have a collapse of the original fire building and partial collapse of exposure 4A. We have fire in the original fire building, exposure 2, exposure 2A, exposure 4, and exposure 4A. At this time we have 3 handlines stretched in operation, 3 tower ladders setup, and he's placing the fire Probably Will Hold
15:08 hours - Duration 1 hour 56 minutes
FC: Progress Report for your 4th Alarm Box 3217, we have a corrected address for the original fire building of 726 Van Nest Ave, Chief of Operations Sweeney reports: continuing to operate with 3 tower ladders and 3 handlines stretched, this is an exterior operation, Fire Marshals are on scene checking with neighbors to see if any occupants are unaccounted for. Fire remains Probably Will Hold. Also as per Chief Sweeney, Air-Recon is going 10-8.
15:24 hours - Duration 2 hour 12 minutes
FC: Progress Report for your 4th Alarm Box 3217, at the address 726 Van Nest Ave, Chief of Operations Sweeney reports: still have fire in the main fire building and exposures 2 and 4. This remains an exterior operation and will be an extended operation. Main body of fire is knocked down, companies still continuing to knock down pockets, he places the fire Under Control.
Relocations:
Engines: 74/38, 306/45, 67/50, 297/64, 22/75, 259/79, 92/88, 80/94, 62/97
Ladders: 26/27, 151/37, 19/38, 51/41, 160/50, 144/54
Battalions: 11/17, 52/18, 49/27, 50/??

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Date: 4/7/12
Time: 1528 (time of the original call)
Location: Tamarack Lodge and surrounding area
Units Operating:
Ulster County: Accord, Bloomington, Centerville-Cedar Grove, City of Kingston, Cragsmoor, East Kingston, Ellenville, Esopus, Gardiner, Glasco, High Falls, Hurley, Kerhonkson, Kripplebush, Malden-West Camp, Milton, Modena, Mt Marion, Napanoch, New Paltz, Olive, Phoenicia, Rifton, Rosendale, Shawangunk Valley, Stone Ridge, Ulster Hose, Walker Valley, Wallkill, West Hurley, Woodstock, Ellenville Rescue, Mobile Life Support, Wallkill Ambulance, NYSP, Ellenville Police, UCSO, DEC
Orange County: Bullville, Chester, Cuddebackville, Goodwill, Howells, Huguenot, Mechanicstown, Orange Lake, Pine Bush, Salisbury Mills, Vails Gate, Walden (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Dutchess County: East Fishkill, Hughsonville, Pleasant Valley, Rombout, Roosevelt
Sullivan County: Grahamsville, Loch Sheldrake, Monticello, Mountaindale, Summitville, Woodbourne, Woodridge (possibly more, PM me w/info)
Description Of Incident: Multiple wind driven structure fires, also a massive wind driven woods fire w/evacuations, still ongoing at the time of this post (20:20), operations will continue tomorrow morning (4/8)
4/8 Update: 44 buildings burned, approximately 200 acres burned. 4 injured FF's
Reporter: eric12401, se36, Newburgher, conman, HAZFD360
http://hudsonvalley....-tamarak-lodge/
http://www.recordonl.../NEWS/204080334

Preventative maintenance procedures? Simple. My departments were in eastern Kentucky, where everyone is a mechanic.
Tools and equipment and where they're carried? We weren't FDNY with hundreds of firehouses. We had two in a five mile radius at the paid department. The volunteer house had everything under one roof and we were always able to turn out both engines and tankers together.
Knowing how to operate all tools? What do you think we did all day other than wash the trucks and look at women walking by?
Capacities and limitations? I'll put it to you like this. I had better hoped both chiefs went into a coma from the anger stroke they would have suffered had I not known the actual capacities that the engines I was pumping could handle. That was taken care of in our pump operators certification, not drivers certification.
Hoses and fittings are blurry now from both. I remember the Pierce engine and the LaFrance being equipped with two 200 foot sections of 1 3/4 inch crosslays. It's been between six to eight years since I've served with each and I can't accurately recall anymore how much hose was carried in the rear, supply or attack. All I remember now was the Pierce carrying two 1 3/4 inch hand lines, 2 1/2 inch supply and 5 inch supply. The ALF had a 2 1/2 inch line attached to a blitz nozzle, another bed of 2 1/2 inch supply and I believe a 3 inch supply line, with a chassis that was configured as a squad. The Ford had two booster lines in place of cross lays and mirrored the Pierce in the back.
Cab controls, what do you mean? Are you seriously implying I would chauffeur a rig and not know where the turn signals and parking brake are at, or not know how to adjust my mirrors? Our drivers training was more than just jumping behind the wheel and joyriding around town. We had a road course, cone course, familiarization for each vehicle, then pump operators training with each. I wasn't expected to be able to smoothly transition from a 1978 gas engine Ford/Jaco with a 750 gpm pump to a 1996 Pierce with a midship 1250 gpm pump unless I had been trained on both. Same holds true transitioning from a 1962 Pirsch with 1000 gpm pump to a 2005 ALF with midship 1250 pump. The personnel approved to operate Aerial 1 had to complete both pump and ladder operations training since it was a quint and operated as a truck.
Oh yeah I almost forgot, ground ladders on all the engines were the same, 12 foot roof ladder, 24 foot extension ladder and a 10 foot attic ladder. Aerial 1 carried 85 feet worth of ground ladders. I was assigned to the Ford, which was Engine 150, then Rescue 1, so the truck guys knew it better than I did.
Don't forget, things are done differently outside of where ever it is you're from, but it still ends up working the same in the end. On my visits back home to Staten Island and seeing a friend of mine at his north shore company, they were always interested in learning how we operated, instead of offering quick criticism without knowing the full story.

My third Child left from Purdys NY today to head up to Albany to a 5 year stint in the US Army, she is going to Missouri for Boot Camp and AIT training to become a M P. Her Mother and I are extremely proud of her , she has been a member of Somers FD since she was 16, she has completed EMT and FF 1 and 2 and Safety and Survival. ( She is 20) I want to wish her all the best as well I want to keep her in our thoughts and prayers. I also wish to Thank all who have and are currently serving THANK YOU for all you are doing and have done for this great country we all live in.
Jim and Gina Arena
God Bless America

Some pictures from the scene.
Incident Alart:
http://www.emtbravo....563#entry261563

Date:3/26/12
Time:about 10:40
Location: 22 Sunset Hill Rd
Frequency: F/G 7 & 8
Units Operating: Lagrange, Union Vale, Pleasant Valley, Beekman, East Fishkill, Millbrook, Mobile Life, New Hackensack
Weather Conditions: Sunny Windy
Description Of Incident:Large Woods Fire
Reporters:
Writer: Jason S
Reported woods fire lagrange dispatched
DC 911 reports fire possibly due to power line down /use caution
Command reports several acres going/ Add a second brush truck
DC 911 Reports two brush trucks enroute do you want a third/command says yes/67-61 added
DC 911 reports fire spreading rapidly due to multiple 911 calls
Command agrees give me tones for all available manpower (47-11) and additional chiefs (setting up a staging area) 4 brush trucks and tankers
UV 67-62 PV 56-33 56-63 Beekman 34-61 34-31 EF 39-63 MB 49-31 49-63 all added
39-33 requested to relocate to LG St#1
Command requests all off duty career personnel
Command requests ambulance with rehab
Mobil Life to relocate to LG St#2
Second call 47-14 and New Hackensack from standby for a car fire at McDonald's @ 1111 Rt 55/ 52-12 resp
47-68 o/s @ car fire
CC3 @ car fire
1126 47-14 o/s
11:22 Command reports they believe woods fire is no longer expanding /starting overhaul
1123 command reports notify forest ranger but not needed to respond and Central Hudson is o/s
Mods- please fix date - doing this from my phone and I goofed - Thanks

Date: 3/12/12
Time: 1230 Hrs
Location: Croton Ave at Sassinoro Blvd
Frequency: Multiple
Units Operating:
Mohegan FD - 2 Engines (252/258), Chiefs (2261, 2266, 226-40)
LZ Detail - 226-42 (LZ Command), 2268, E253
Mohegan VAC - 3 Ambulances (69B1-69B3)
Cortlandt/Peekskill Paramedics - 4 ALS Units (39M2, 35M1, 35M2, 3511)
NYSP - Patrols (3K42, 3K57, 3K47, 3K41), BCI (5K24, 5K114, 5K115, 5K113), Collision Reconstruction (5K35), Aviation (1H18), Zone Commander (3K1), Duty Sgt (3K48), Duty Zone Sgt (3K55)
WCPD - Patrols (1A and P/SRO)
Peekskill FD - Engine 132 to MFD Station 1
Peekskill VAC and Yorktown VAC - 1 Ambulance each on S/B
Con-Ed Emergency
Weather Conditions: Nice
Description Of Incident: Single vehicle PIAA, first crashed through a Utility Pole, then became airborne, finally crashing into a tree. (1) Subject ejected. (2) others heavily entrapped with prolonged extrication. All three transported to WCMC in critical condition.
Reporters: PFDRes47cue, FF398, CG206 (O/S)
Writer: INIT915 (O/S)
Update from CG206:
2266 (IC) until arrival of 2261 approx. 1312hrs
Res-Q Jacks and cribbing used to stabilize vehicle
Hurst cutters, spreaders and rams operating
All patients removed from embankment by utilizing stokes basket and ropes
** It was a hectic scene, so if I missed any units or you can provide additional, PM me.

Happened to be in town...only had my iPhone so sorry about the quality. See I/A here.

Chelsea firefighters extricated 1 when car lost control on a turn and slamed into some trees and one fell on top of the car nearly killing the occupant. The occupant suffered life threatening injuries and was later transported to Westchester Medical Center.
News story - Car flattened in crash