SteveOFD

Here are some of the pictures "Mrs." SteveOFD took of Monday mornings fire.

The 5" supply line from the hydrant toward the scene.

Just short of the scene.

There was snow to contend with that morning.

Ladder 42 working at maybe it's last job.

Crew operating on the D side.

Engine 97 dropped it's whole hosebed.

Engine 96 pumping from a larger main from Wolden Road up Underhill Road.

The 5" line coming up Underhill Rd. from Engine 96.

The 5" line continues up Underhill Rd.

The 5" line up to Engine 99 for relay.

Engine 99 at the relay pumping to Engine 97. Approximately 800' from Engine 96, and then approximately 700' to Engine 97.
Mrs. SteveOFD walked up to the scene to ask if I wanted my camera. I told her I was working the job (at E99 pumping), but if she wanted to take some pictures she could. These pictures were taken as any civilian could have, she was granted no special access beyond what any civilian could have gotten.

And here's another link

Seth, you comment constently about how wonderful all the new rigs in Westchester are and how well they will serve the communitiies of Westchester. At the same time you moved away because of the high cost to live in Westchester. Part of the problem is every 1 square mile in Westchester keeps buying more fire apparatus than it can staff.
Westchester has 135 fire stations, 200 engine companies, 74 ladder companies, 37 rescue companies and at least 150 fire chiefs cars. The total replacement cost is estimated at $981,680,000.00
The average number of response is under 600 fire runs per year per dept. and each dept. has at least 3 rigs to handle those 600 runs (some as many as 15).
Now add EMS, PD, DPWs, Parks and the Schools and thats why our taxes are #1 in the country.
I was going to say: Seth you can't have it both ways. But the real issue is Westchester can't have it both ways.

Good dissertation, Cap. Might I add a like more about the Gamewell Telegraph Syatem?
The 3-fold box came into widespread use in the early 1900s, and if installed correctly (most are not) it is almost foolproof The 3 folds are Non-interfering, Sequential, and Ground return. It is meant to operate with the boxes on a single wire loop, but unfortunately many places have installed them on a feed loop and a home run which can defeat the features that make the system fail safe. Non-interfering means that if one box is transmitting it has control of the system. A second pulled box will not be able to join in and give wrong bells. Sequential means that if several boxes are pulled, one will wait for the prior box to finish before it transmits. Ground return means that if a wire is broken, the system will rely on the one good incoming wire ant transmit using the ground (earth)as its second wire. If a tree limb falls and breaks the wire on single loop, gorund return will work, but if two wires are broken, it defeats the ground return feature.
If many boxes are pulled at once a box will keep waiting its turn to transmit, until its mainspring is almost wound down, in which case, it will take over the system from the other boxes and transmit its box number on its final breath, so to speak. Remember, this was early 1900's and all this was accomolished by a series of gears, contacts, coils, and springs. The system is actually digital because the whole thing operates on a series of "if...then" tests and line open...closed.
The system was also a two-way system. Let's say the Chief arrives at Box 271 in his buggy, and wants to sound a Second alarm. Remember there is no radio and phones are only for the rich. Let's say the bell signal for a senond alarm is 2-2. The Chief would open the box and on the telegraph key inside he would tap out 2-2 271.
Most of you have not worked in a place with a municipal system, but it is still the fastest response time of any other system, even the systems today using CAD,etc.
(Vols systems were slow because the system had to be timed slow for the whistle to operate) All hands would start counting the bells as soon as the box started coming in. No matter how big or small your city was, by the second digit you knew if you were 1st due, 2nd due, not assigned, etc.
Old guys like me are like Pavlov's dog. Start ringing bells at the proper timing, ,and we start counting.

I found some awesome video from a link at Firehouse.com.

I have been thinking of starting this discussion for the past couple of weeks.
How does your Department MANDATE that it's members are trained to a certain level of professionalism?
Is this mandate in writing, and if so is every member provided a copy of the Departments' policy?
For Volunteer FD's is this policy in Department/Company By-Laws, SOP/SOG, or other?
For Career FD's is this policy in the Union Contract, SOP/SOG, or other?
What level of training must members maintain after initial training?
Let's see where we all are, or where we should be.

2/2/11..Box 812: Bn 37, S252, E277, E233, L112, L176...555 Wilson Avenue..The Borough of Fire...
youtube credit: ellokito100
If you look close you can see the hose team's long stretch, emphasizing the importance of the MPO AND the Control Man! lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFVnxpcA7DI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5aOttiSuUw&feature=player_embedded

bump.
This Memorial Seminar is this Saturday morning. Looks like an interesting topic, as always.
I will be there.

This is true. Add 4) job outside of town/district. However, it's not impossible for someone to manage those commitments with the commitment one must make towards a volunteer department. I know as I joined after the 1) wife, 2) house, and 3) kid. It's now kids. I would never claim to make the most calls in my company, but I certainly pull my weight and find myself near the top of the responses list. That is only possible because I have a very understanding 1) wife and 3) kids. The house kind of takes care of itself and doesn't give me much grief.
At any rate, if the future of volunteer departments is in question or doubt then it's probably time to do something different. One common complaint is that it's too expensive to live in this area and the people who can afford to live here aren't the people who will volunteer. I don't completely agree with that. It may be that the departments need to go after a different person as a member than they did 10, 20, or 30 years ago. It's not unusual to look at a membership list and see sons, friends, cousins, and relatives of former members. If those are the people are being forced out of the area due to economic reasons (which is a shame), departments MUST look beyond the families of current members. Times are changing and the membership of a department may need to change equally with the times. I'm certainly not suggesting I know how to do that, but merely stating that an open mind may need to be kept in order to keep a department or company viable. There does seem to be a lower value placed on volunteering from a majority of the population now. But some people will still have the time (or a very understanding family) and will find the value in volunteering. I don't think it's impossible.

The rich corporate executive loving Senate Republicans (if they truly were concerned with, "the ability of SMALL BUSINESSES to be able to create jobs...") would have stipulated a high end cut off to determine who requires a tax break by calculating what constitutes a SMALL BUSINESS (in terms of income). Democrats have stated that they agree with that concept as it theoretically would accomplish what the Republicans claim they want while at the same time continuing the tax break for the middle class. Clearly, the FACT is that Senate Republicans are most concerned with insuring that the ultra rich, multi-millionaires and billionaires of our country get tax breaks (in addition to all of the loopholes they already use to avoid paying a fair share). I have voted Republican for 34 years, but as a hardworking, taxpaying member of the middle class I'm fed up with the lack of representation that middle class Republican voters get from the very people who we vote into office. The GOP clearly does not concern themselves with middle class voters or sick and dying first responders.

Nah, I have to disagree. Since this thread is resisting going to a lighter tone (the jokes ain't workin') well then so be it.
This was a very immature move to "hang" this off the rig. I mean think about it. Little old ladies, moms with kids in their mini-vans (Mom:"look at the fire truck sweetheart!" Kids:"Uh mommy what's that thing on the back of the firetruck?" Mom red-faced and p!ssed-off:"Uhhh...uh"....as she looks in her speed dial for the mayor's cell phone number)
Okay so it's not appropriate for being on the apparatus. Mayor comes in (maybe he got a call of complaint about it) says "Chief, let's get that off the rig."
Chief moves it to another location ON the rig.
Mayor suspends chief.
LIke PEMO said "National attention" for this now. NOT good PR.
Any chief, volunteer or career that:
#1 saw this and obviously didn't disapprove
#2 received explicit instruction from the mayor to remove it
#3 moved it to another location on the rig
DESERVES a suspension. and if he doesn't grow up rather quickly is going to find himself OUT of his chief's vehicle.
Like the other posters in the thread have pointed out, with all the problems in the country, with all the pressures on municipal services, with all the stress, THIS ITEM shouldn't have become an issue, and now that it has, this chief will forever be tagged and associated with a very stupid act.

This requires a rather lengthy complicated answer, but I'll try to sum it up.
Sergeant: Just your traditional Sergeant as you know them commonly. Now the NYSP doesn't have "Patrol Sergeants" or "Desk Sergeants." They are really administrative positions only, and if you seem them in the field, it is most likely because they are responding to a large scale incident, or overseeing a detail. They do not patrol. Sergeants have permanent rank based on a competitive test.
Technical Sergeants: These are appointments to positions which require some unique skill or expertise. Technical Sergeants either have the permanent rank of Sergeant, or in many cases have the Permanent rank of Trooper. However, a Trooper who is appointed a Technical Sergeant receives all the benefits of a permanent rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant/Station Commander: Highest ranking Sergeant in each Barracks. Not always the most senior Sergeant.
Zone Sergeant: Sergeants who oversee a Zone. The state is divided into Troops, then subdivided into Zones. Usually 3-4 Zone Sergeants per Zone.
First Sergeant: Highest ranking Sergeant in a Troop. Only one per Troop.
Chief Technical Sergeant: Usually assigned to a technical position. For instance, the highest ranking NCO of the TTMC is a Chief Technical Sergeant.
Staff Sergeant: High ranking administrative Sergeant. Could be assigned to any office at Division HQ in Albany.
Lieutenant: Member who has passed the competitive testing process and has the permanent rank of Lieutenant.
Technical Lieutenant: This is someone who may either have the permanent rank of Lieutenant or the permanent rank of Sergeant, and has been appointed to a technical/expertise position where they had unique skills.
Also, in the NYSP, once you receive the permanent rank of Sergeant, if you are an Investigator in the BCI, you can opt to remain in the BCI with the title “Investigator”, while having the permanent rank of Sergeant. This differs from most agencies where when a Detective is promoted to Sergeant, they go back into uniform.
Again, as I mentioned, this is a very, very brief explanation. It’s a little more in depth, but you get the point.

Sorry for jumping in so late in the discussion. but irish fire is right. I was on the job for 34 years and went to schools,seminars, etc. right up to the time I retired. Some of us go to these classes just to get certificates and unfortunately forget the course material in a week or two. On the other hand, you could have irishfire's attitude: Learn it from those who have been there> remember it> and put it in your back pocket because you might need it some time in the future when you least expect it. It should also come out of that back pocket every now and then for a review. Irishfire, Tommy Brennan would be proud of you.
And Barry: Mofire is young. Don't jump on him when he asks a question. All your information is absolutely correct, but as soon as you jumped on his case, you turned him off.
Cids (or whatever you may call buildings' info database) is a very time consuming effort and takes a lot of work by all members of a FD to initiate and then to keep current. Not a knock, but it is something that volunteer FDs just don't have the time or people to devote.
Everyone, paid or vol should find time to do company inspections, at least of your area's target hazards if nothing else. Wouldn't it be nice if your first time in a building is during a company inspection as opposed to 3an on your hands and knees?
And about that back pocket irishfire talked about...It's like a magic pocket. No matter how much "stuff" you put in it, it never gets full.
There...you got my two cents. Take it to heart and it may be worth a lot more to you

I saw this flyer at our FD HQ yesterday and found it tonight at TarrytownFD.org.
Friday November 12, 2010, 5.00pm- 9.00pm Fundraiser to benefit the Children of John Kelly and Anthongy Ruggiero Jr.
A Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be held at the Double Tree Hotel, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown.
Cost: $10 - Adults, $5 - Children, Children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the night of the event.
This event is kindly sponsored by The Double Tree Hotel and hosted by Consolidated Engine Company No.1.
There will be a 50/50, Raffles and a silent auction. Lots of prizes! All proceeds will go towards the children's eduction fund.
Please join us and support the children.

BUMP
The dinner is this Friday. I wll be there.

Not being involved with the planning or implementation of this event I would like to thank all who attended and helped, to hopefully, make this a successful fundraiser for the Kelly and Ruggiero children. When I was there between 1830-1930 the ballroom was packed.
Thank you Tarrytown FD, job well done.

From The Journal News Legal Notices November 5, 2010 "...sealed bids will be received until 11:00 a.m. on December 16, 2010...Supply one CUSTOM 105" REAR MOUNT AERIAL LADDER".

From my understanding, no it will not. The rumor that I heard is that the TL will be stationed at OFD HQ with R14 & L41 until the issue of a new Firehouse or addition to the current Snowden Avenue Firehouse is resolved.

Yes, there was definitely a supply line running across Route 9.
This is what it looked like from our perspective. The smoke was visible from the County Airport too. Air traffic control noted the smoke from the tower.



Sorry we didn't get there sooner to catch the real action.

Better late than never, but here are pic's from this year's show.

Boston, MA E37 KME

Boston, MA E37 KME

Boston, MA E22 KME LED "scene" light

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI
For such a "short" rig this rig has lots of "stuff" in it.

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI
This Spartan Furion chasis surprising has "alot" of room inside for six people. Definately worth looking into.

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI

Buchanan, NY R26 Spartan/EVI

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Katonah, NY E115 Smeal

Yonkers, NY L72 Spartan/Smeal

Stamford, CT R1 HME

Stamford, CT R1 HME

Stamford, CT R1 HME

Pierce Contender "top mount"

Pierce Contender "top mount"

Pierce Contender "top mount"

Pierce Contender "top mount"

interesting "brush guard" around this light bar on a Firematic BRAT

interesting "brush guard" around this light bar on a Firematic BRAT

Sandy Hook, CT Pierce Rescue Engine

Sandy Hook, CT Pierce Rescue Engine
check out the "mirror" finish on these doors!

Sandy Hook, CT Pierce Rescue Engine
check out the "mirror" finish on these doors!

Sandy Hook, CT Pierce Rescue Engine
check out the "mirror" finish on these doors!

Sandy Hook, CT Pierce Rescue Engine
check out the "mirror" finish on these doors!

interesting use of chevrons on this slide out tray

"Rescue Me" L62 Pierce

"Rescue Me" L62 Pierce

"Rescue Me" L62 Pierce

try reading this "Keep Back 500 Feet" sign from that distance

Took these photos today at the blessing of the fleet

I think you meant "affirmative"
From dictionary.reference.com
FYI - Word History : OK is a quintessentially American term that has spread from English to many other languages. Its origin was the subject of scholarly debate for many years until Allen Walker Read showed that OK is based on a joke of sorts. OK is first recorded in 1839 but was probably in circulation before that date. During the 1830s there was a humoristic fashion in Boston newspapers to reduce a phrase to initials and supply an explanation in parentheses. Sometimes the abbreviations were misspelled to add to the humor. OK was used in March 1839 as an abbreviation for all correct, the joke being that neither the O nor the K was correct.

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, and The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) have received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognition of their Standard Channel Nomenclature for the Public Safety Interoperable Channels.
This Standard sets forth frequencies (on all bands), and requirements, that are available Nationwide for ALL Public Safety agencies to use for Interoperable Communications between agencies. Public Safety agencies can program these frequencies into mobile and portable radios as long as they have a valid FCC license. No frequency coordination or license amendments are required for the above mentioned mobile or portable radio use. Base station use would require frequency coordination, and additional FCC licensing.
The purpose of this Standard is to provide commonality Nationwide of both frequencies, AND the designations of these frequencies. This means that 453.2125MHz will be known as UCALL40D, and not as, for example, channel 16 or interop 4, or whatever local designation previously was used for this frequency.
Westchester County has received FCC authorization for Base/Repeater use of these frequencies with licenses WQLI 209 and WQLI 210. WQLI 210 provides for mobile and portable radio access for repeater operations on these frequencies. I have a source at 60 Control that has told me that Westchester County is looking to build out the UTAC/UCALL frequencies when funds become available. This source also told me that all the Trunked System Portables have been programmed with these frequencies, and he is hopeful to have these frequencies programmed in the Mobile Radios in the future. FYI - the City of White Plains has received FCC base station authorization for use of these frequencies.
It would be advantageous for all Public Safety agencies to program these frequencies in their radios now before they are needed, rather than, if and when, they are called mutual aid to the next County (or State), or five County's away and they are unable to communicate with the local agency except for being handed a local radio from the host mutual aid agency on their local frequency. There may or may not be enough of these radios to hand out, and you may not have communications with the local agency except for cell phone (if service is available). Be proactive, and be prepared, get these frequencies progammed in your radios.

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, and The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) have received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recognition of their Standard Channel Nomenclature for the Public Safety Interoperable Channels.
This Standard sets forth frequencies (on all bands), and requirements, that are available Nationwide for ALL Public Safety agencies to use for Interoperable Communications between agencies. Public Safety agencies can program these frequencies into mobile and portable radios as long as they have a valid FCC license. No frequency coordination or license amendments are required for the above mentioned mobile or portable radio use. Base station use would require frequency coordination, and additional FCC licensing.
The purpose of this Standard is to provide commonality Nationwide of both frequencies, AND the designations of these frequencies. This means that 453.2125MHz will be known as UCALL40D, and not as, for example, channel 16 or interop 4, or whatever local designation previously was used for this frequency.
Westchester County has received FCC authorization for Base/Repeater use of these frequencies with licenses WQLI 209 and WQLI 210. WQLI 210 provides for mobile and portable radio access for repeater operations on these frequencies. I have a source at 60 Control that has told me that Westchester County is looking to build out the UTAC/UCALL frequencies when funds become available. This source also told me that all the Trunked System Portables have been programmed with these frequencies, and he is hopeful to have these frequencies programmed in the Mobile Radios in the future. FYI - the City of White Plains has received FCC base station authorization for use of these frequencies.
It would be advantageous for all Public Safety agencies to program these frequencies in their radios now before they are needed, rather than, if and when, they are called mutual aid to the next County (or State), or five County's away and they are unable to communicate with the local agency except for being handed a local radio from the host mutual aid agency on their local frequency. There may or may not be enough of these radios to hand out, and you may not have communications with the local agency except for cell phone (if service is available). Be proactive, and be prepared, get these frequencies progammed in your radios.

Here are some more pictures of todays White Plains fire. These pictures were taken between 1615 and 1645.

#1 - walking toward the scene from Waller Ave. & Maple Ave.

#2 - view from Mamaroneck Ave. between Maple Ave. and Post Rd.

#3 - view from Mamaroneck Ave. at Post Rd.

#4 - another view from Mamaroneck Ave. & Post Rd.

#5 - another view from Mamaroneck Ave. & Post Rd.

#6 - another view from Mamaroneck Ave. & Post Rd.

#7 - another view from Mamaroneck Ave. & Post Rd.

#8 - another view from Mamaroneck Ave. & Post Rd.

#9 - view from parking lot at Court St. & Quorropas St. (rear of fire building). note: the parking meters on the right are the same meters in the next several pictures.

#10 - view from Court St. & Quorropas St.

#11 - WPFD Lad32 working the rear of the building (Court St. parking lot at Quorropas St.)

#12 - another view of Lad32 looking from Court St.

#13 - another view of Lad32 looking from Court St.

#14 - another view of Lad32, Eng67 looking from Court St.

#14 - another view of Lad32, Eng67 looking from Court St.

#15 - view from Court St. near Quorropas St. with the wind blowing towards the County Office Building. The few minutes I was near this location the wind kept changing giving the Guys in this location a beating, not to mention the PD directing traffic at this intersection.

#16 - view from Post Rd. at Greenridge Ave. looking toward Mamaroneck Ave.

#17 - another view from Waller Ave. & Maple Ave.

#18 - another view from Waller Ave. & Maple Ave.

#19 - smoke banking down near the Galleria Mall Grove St. approaching Main St.