Bottom of Da Hill

man i love this guy so very true..........sounds like i made this post myself...

man i love this guy so very true..........sounds like i made this post myself...

But two separate agencies with two different missions. And a lot of grant money LOL.

Yes but do they have the trained personnel available to operate all of that equipment that was purchased with our grant (read tax) money?
If it sits there with no one to operate it, its useless
If it responds, but with only a small % of the personnel needed to perform the mission, its useless
and if it responds to incidents without being called, and ignores policies, procedures and ICS in general, because "nobody can stop us", its more than useless it is a danger to themselves, other responders and the community.

This tactic does seem risky and I really cannot think of any practical use for it. That said, if I had to think outside the box and rig this contraption together in an effort to save my own life or rescue a fallen firefighter, then I'd climb across it. It can be done...it shouldn't be done...but it can be done...
Now comes the double-edged sword...If it can be done, do you practice the tactic so that firefighters know this is feasible even though it is not recommended? Or is it too dangerous to even train on this tactic? I probably would have thrown a safety line on the guy at the bare minimum if it were me running the training! God forbid one of these guys gets hurt while practicing it though...lawsuit waiting to happen!

I've spent 20+ years in EMS working in areas remote from trauma facilities to just down the street from them. I've spent the last 15 or so in a metro county that is somewhat fly happy despite having 4 trauma centers within reasonable drive times for most of it. IMO, in the vast majority of cases, the use of medevacs in areas that are within this middle area, has more to do with ALS providers who are not confident providing advanced care to trauma patients for the duration of the ground transport time rather than with the patient actually needing care beyond the normal scope of practice for a street medic. Now there are certainly cases in which timely provision of critical care level care in the field is warranted, even if it delays arrival at the hospital by a few minutes.
As for the "time saving" aspect of medevacs, in this middle zone, it's often a toss up as to whether or not it truly saves time. I know of numerous incidents in my area in which units have spent a majority (or more) of the time it would have taken them to get to the hospital by ground, sitting at an LZ waiting for the helicopter to arrive. I know of a number of incidents in which patients from the same incident have been transported to the same hospital by ground and by air and excluding extrication delays, the ground units almost always get their patients into a treatment room faster than the air units can when you factor in waiting for them to arrive on scene, the transfer of care and then time to move from the helipad to the ER.

How else would they continue to steal jobs from the Various EMS and FD's in Westchester County?
On a serious note, who cares what they have, or how many? I'd rather them be prepared for the worst.

they need more trucks?

they need more trucks?

they need more trucks?

X635, Please look this way

You never saw it, it does not exist. " The flash of light you saw in the sky was not a UFO. Swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus."

This thread is about Stamford Fire-Rescue's new Engine 8, a 2014 KME with a 1500 GPM pump, a 1,000 gallon tank, and 30 gallon foam tank. They operate out of a temporary station next to Stamford EMS Station 4 on Vine Rd near High Ridge Road. It covers the northern part of the city, specifically the High Ridge and Turn Of River sections. They cover urban, suburban, and rural sections of the city In addition, they cover the Merritt Parkway. A large part of their district is unhydranted. The company, Engine 8, was put into service in July of 2008 to cover the Turn Of River Volunteer fire department district. It is always staffed by 1 Officer, One Firefighter/Apparatus Operator, and one Firefighter. When staffing levels allow, a fourth crew member is also added. All members are part of IAFF Local 786.The company nick name is "Ridge Runners - 8 Ball Express"
Stamford Fire-Rescue's entire district is diverse, as they cover multiple high rises, commercial, industrial, and transit infrastructure, including a major interstate, I-95, the Merritt Parkway, a large Metro-North Commuter Railroad maintenance yard. There are large hospitals, office buildings, and large scale residential developments. They also cover a large suburban section, as well as some very rural area with very large and valuable real estate and huge areas of brush with limited access.
The career firefighters of Local 786 staff 9 Engine companies, 3 truck companies, 1 heavy rescue company, and 1 shift commander. A Fire Lieutenant also is a coordinator in the city's consolidated 911 communications center. This adds up to a minimum of 52 firefighters a shift. A Hazmat company and Hazmat support vehicles are cross staffed.
The KME Severe-Service Predator type chassis was specified and chosen for the terrain, roads, and structures it covers.
I'd really like to thank Captain Matt Palmer, one of my favorite fire captains, for taking the time to give me a complete in depth tour of the new KME. I do want to apologize, as the photos didn't turn out as nice as I wanted them to, but hope everyone still enjoys them and can see all the neat specs.
For comparison to the new Engine 8, here's the FORMER Engine 8, a 2005 HME.


And here we go with the NEW engine......
Stamford Fire Rescue
Engine 8
2014 KME Severe Service Predator
1500/1000/30
Engine 8 showing off the new colors and graphics of SFRD:

Engine 8's company patch

Front view

Front intake. KME standard is the chrome.

Front trash line

Driver's area

Auto Charge Status Center - a new product from Kussmaul

Drivers area panel - transmission control, air brake, Jake (engine) brake, power windows, headlights, panel dimmer, power mirrors

Drivers area panel - A/C controls, On-Spot automatic tire chain control, arrowstick control, 12V port

Drivers area panel for lighting controls

Engine tunnel....housing the LUCAS 2 automatic CPR compression device

EMS compartment....rear cab

Another shot of the engine tunnel...

Drivers side cab compartment....housing various items including a 12V DC hydrant barrel pump....hydrant barrels are pumped in the early fall to prevent freezing during wintertime

Pump Panel

Tank level indicator

Evacuation (air horn) button and fuel/DEF level indicator light on pump panel

Remote control for drivers side intake valve

Remote controlled drivers side intake valve

Pump panel uses wheel-type valves instead of push-pull "T"'s, making for an easier and smoother opening and closing of valves

Note how all valves are labeled for function. "Blitzfire", "Flying Wye", "ProPak", etc

Drivers side body

12V port for hydrant barrel pump mentioned above in the MPO's compartment

A real leather helmet that's seen real work

Rear shot

Blitzfire mount

Holamatro Combi Tool with CORE technology and new compact pump

Apartment/High Rise hose packs with pike poles integrated into tray

Officer's side saw compartment with LDH hose clamp. Saw blades are mounted to a custom mount on the right of the compartment, and pre-mixed fuel is in the yellow bracket

Officer's side front body compartment containing various tools

Wheelwell compartments with plenty of space housing 2 SCBA bottles and a water can

Officer's side

Officer's side pump panel. Notice the ProPak foam pack....unique to see it pre-connected with a 1" line

Officer's side rear compartment....containing various tools for the officer

Heavy duty rubber wheel well flares - easy to replace if damaged

Drivers side Whelen Pioneer LED Scene Light

Scott Safety thermal imaging camera mounted under officer's side rear jumpseat

Officers side cab....

Officer's area in cab

Whelen Pioneer low-profile side scene light mounted between officer's/driver's door and rear cab door....brand new product available from Whelen

Officer's side safety panel and Q siren controls

Officer's side radio and Firecom in cab-communication control panel

Officer's MDT

New SFRD logo on cab door

Hydrant type legend

Station 8's "Temporary" Engine bay

Station 8's "Temporary" Living Quarters

Apartment/High Rise pack.....note the custom made tray for it

Cab roof

Storage area on top of the "L" shaped tank

Storage area and deck gun above pump panel

Ash can

LED lights to illuminate the crosslay area

Note the high-intensity headlights

Brow light

Front bumper with LED illuminated cornering light

LDH connection with hydrant bag

Somebody send this guy a map. Sorry I shoulda said send this assistant chief a map.

You guys done yet?
Thought we were here to find ways to IMPROVE things?! You guys are griping about what is under what roof. Enough already.

Sorry but it's time for me to stop "lurking" and respond as I think you're outta bounds here! My instructors were all positive and encouraging and supportive. We are lucky to have these guys! Not sure why you got a problem with them but the only negativity I picked up was regarding individual volunteers who didn't take things seriously or acted in unprofessional manor.
By the way I assume you are talking about the fire academy when you said 60 control" not sure if you understand but that they're two different things. But you're and assistant chief so you should know that...or did you just win a popularity contest! Maybe you outta spend more time I the classroom in Valhala as the education may help you get your facts right!

can you guys stop the BS with volunteers VS paid grow up! it should not be on this site! its nice to be nice.i can go take pics to of paid depts at fires making mistakes also but i am above that its kid s***!we all have a job to do as long as no one gets hurt and every one is safe at the end of the day then thats a good day paid or volunteer! the fire service started out as volunteer service,paid or volunteer god bless us all.

can you guys stop the BS with volunteers VS paid grow up! it should not be on this site! its nice to be nice.i can go take pics to of paid depts at fires making mistakes also but i am above that its kid s***!we all have a job to do as long as no one gets hurt and every one is safe at the end of the day then thats a good day paid or volunteer! the fire service started out as volunteer service,paid or volunteer god bless us all.

So its a no no when vollys take pictures at a fire but its ok when paid guy do it???????? Heck there are websites that show the almighys fdny grandstanding and taking company photos at a fire. But thats ok. I have more respect for people who do the job for FREE then somone who does it for the $$$ and 3/4.

Let's be honest here and admit that there are people, both career and volunteer who have no business in the fire service. To deny that is being blatantly dishonest with yourself. In fact, almost every job, whether public or private sector have the same situation that is found in the fire service. Not all, but most firefighters, whether career or volunteer are professionals who do the best they can given the tools and training.

Positive publicity for the fire service and this turns into a heated battle?!!!! What the Funck!!!
And who cares if you're volley or paid. You're either a fireman or you're not! You either get it or you don't!

And this surprises?? We, ALL of us, have become conditioned to the senseless animosity and pointless "better than you" nonsense which has overtaken the fire service in the last decade. It is now the norm to jump on the bandwagon of spite and malice to show just how much you support your "side" in the great career vs volunteer saga. Long gone it seems is even a modicum of common ground or common mission camaraderie and support that was once enjoyed by the vast majority of firefighters in our area. The very vocal but still relatively small minority of malcontents and rabble rousing sh!t-stirrers has hijacked our service and turned it into an "us against them" morass of bitter resentment fed by uninformed rumor mongering and deceit...all in an effort to fulfill their own grandiose visions of self importance.
Make no mistake, the persistent and unbridled hate spewed forth by some within our service is a cancer, no matter how well couched in "facts" it is. We have a choice, we can feed this cancer and let it grow ever more disruptive and divisive or we can refuse to play into it and thus show it the respect it deserves...none!! I choose the latter...how about you??

One thing you failed to mention in your post (unless I missed it) is that you can be the most highly trained, competent firefighter in the business, yet if you cannot work with others, your completely useless to the fire service.

Those sound like the words of a man who didn't just say I want to leave on top. I believe you are using a little creative writing yourself. And another thing, do you actually know this "bunch of losers" or is this just your general assumption of the group. The fact that you seem to know so much about them really impresses me. Now please tell me how many houses and people you have saved, not to mention how many you are currently saving since relieving the taxpayers by no longer volunteering.
Now what this really sounds like is a former volley whacker who is butthurt because there were no newspapers that through the use of some creative writing made him look amazing.
Last part of this rant is had they made an interior attack on this fire and someone became injured would you be a critic to say that should have been outside. With all the wisdom that you brought to this discussion I can not see why Chief was not on your list of glorious positions held in just another volunteer fire co.

About getting paid...? I can't tell you how many times people (general public civilian type) didn't know our local department was volunteer.
Bullshit and creative writing maybe. But unless I missed something, I didn't see anything about the building being unoccupied. Just that the 2 named residents escaped.
Of course, if they had been been a paid "Professional" department, their x-ray vision powers would have confirmed this.