antiquefirelt

I don't know, I'd say there is a lot of things that can go wrong: rollover? damage to the undercarriage? undesigned stress to the frame? I'd want to be damn sure that what I was doing was absolutely necessary for life or limb. In the case above, it would not appear to have been necessary, but of course we only have a 1/1000 of a second snapshot, so who's to say?

I don't know, I'd say there is a lot of things that can go wrong: rollover? damage to the undercarriage? undesigned stress to the frame? I'd want to be damn sure that what I was doing was absolutely necessary for life or limb. In the case above, it would not appear to have been necessary, but of course we only have a 1/1000 of a second snapshot, so who's to say?

I don't know, I'd say there is a lot of things that can go wrong: rollover? damage to the undercarriage? undesigned stress to the frame? I'd want to be damn sure that what I was doing was absolutely necessary for life or limb. In the case above, it would not appear to have been necessary, but of course we only have a 1/1000 of a second snapshot, so who's to say?

I don't know, I'd say there is a lot of things that can go wrong: rollover? damage to the undercarriage? undesigned stress to the frame? I'd want to be damn sure that what I was doing was absolutely necessary for life or limb. In the case above, it would not appear to have been necessary, but of course we only have a 1/1000 of a second snapshot, so who's to say?

Too early in the Season to consider leaving any hard surface, it happens. Hope they got it out without any damage to the undercarriage.

It appears someone at the Big "R" doesn't understand the chevron concept.

It appears someone at the Big "R" doesn't understand the chevron concept.

It appears someone at the Big "R" doesn't understand the chevron concept.

That's great, get rid of the professionals buy a new truck.... What's wrong with that taxpayers

Sadly I know this all too well, as this is the system I've been working for 20+ years now. My point in noting that above was that some of the higher salaries maybe attributed to working more hours. All other things being equal, the added hours would make pay 40% higher than the average taxpayer working 40 hrs a week.

Sadly I know this all too well, as this is the system I've been working for 20+ years now. My point in noting that above was that some of the higher salaries maybe attributed to working more hours. All other things being equal, the added hours would make pay 40% higher than the average taxpayer working 40 hrs a week.

Big OT number are almost always a result of failure to properly staff a department. With enough staff to ensure minimum staffing and cover some anticipated OT they would not see these "windfalls". Also, the article notes their numbers are total compensation (salary+benefits+OT) which is different than how much actually money the individuals take home. One must wonder the cost of health insurance and other similar expense in CA vs. other places. I know our City adds roughly 40% to any wages to figure benefits. In many places the pension systems are very different, some pay based on your total best year or years, other only on base wages. Also, while some FD's in CA run 42 hr weeks, many (most?) still run 56's? which is 40% more hrs. 
 
As noted above someone's math has to be way off, to say that every $1 of OT costs $1 to the pension system. That would be a 100% contribution and would be basically make overtime cost 3 times straight pay instead of 1.5?

Big OT number are almost always a result of failure to properly staff a department. With enough staff to ensure minimum staffing and cover some anticipated OT they would not see these "windfalls". Also, the article notes their numbers are total compensation (salary+benefits+OT) which is different than how much actually money the individuals take home. One must wonder the cost of health insurance and other similar expense in CA vs. other places. I know our City adds roughly 40% to any wages to figure benefits. In many places the pension systems are very different, some pay based on your total best year or years, other only on base wages. Also, while some FD's in CA run 42 hr weeks, many (most?) still run 56's? which is 40% more hrs. 
 
As noted above someone's math has to be way off, to say that every $1 of OT costs $1 to the pension system. That would be a 100% contribution and would be basically make overtime cost 3 times straight pay instead of 1.5?

Big OT number are almost always a result of failure to properly staff a department. With enough staff to ensure minimum staffing and cover some anticipated OT they would not see these "windfalls". Also, the article notes their numbers are total compensation (salary+benefits+OT) which is different than how much actually money the individuals take home. One must wonder the cost of health insurance and other similar expense in CA vs. other places. I know our City adds roughly 40% to any wages to figure benefits. In many places the pension systems are very different, some pay based on your total best year or years, other only on base wages. Also, while some FD's in CA run 42 hr weeks, many (most?) still run 56's? which is 40% more hrs. 
 
As noted above someone's math has to be way off, to say that every $1 of OT costs $1 to the pension system. That would be a 100% contribution and would be basically make overtime cost 3 times straight pay instead of 1.5?

So to summarize,
 
the municipalities choose to hire ot vs staffing increases to save money on benefits and these guys made upwards of 300k working overtime shifts at a rate that the municipality agreed on in a contract that they signed
 
they made money for shifts they worked
 
what's the problem?

The reality is there are two fire services when it comes to most (of these types) rules and regulations, municipal departments and then all others. Most municipalities have strict rules to protect themselves from liability and grievances. While the fire chief's son could be treated like anyone else in reality, just a mere perception can create problems. Most of the time it's something petty and stupid, not the big promotion or preferential assignments. But, in reality, does the Lt. worry he cannot discipline this FF in the same manner as he would otherwise? Can the crew complain about admin without offending the bosses son? Why did he didn't he get forced for OT?  The list of ways for other firefighters to be aggrieved is endless, add in that you're closely related to a boss and that just multiplies. 

The reality is there are two fire services when it comes to most (of these types) rules and regulations, municipal departments and then all others. Most municipalities have strict rules to protect themselves from liability and grievances. While the fire chief's son could be treated like anyone else in reality, just a mere perception can create problems. Most of the time it's something petty and stupid, not the big promotion or preferential assignments. But, in reality, does the Lt. worry he cannot discipline this FF in the same manner as he would otherwise? Can the crew complain about admin without offending the bosses son? Why did he didn't he get forced for OT?  The list of ways for other firefighters to be aggrieved is endless, add in that you're closely related to a boss and that just multiplies. 

Thinking it might have been a bit better with a MM than the RM? That front overhang is killer. Of course the MM tailslap is an issue, but I'd bet a MM could make it in one shot. 

While certainly not ideal, a competent and experienced crew of two arriving quickly can have a positive effect on many incidents rather than a unit with more staffing arriving a few or several minutes later.
 
I've spent the majority of my career (the paid part) working on an engine staffed with only 2.  We've been able to have 3 at times over the last few years.  Several years ago now, we had a 2 man crew arrive first at a working fire and execute a ladder rescue of a trapped victim prior to arrival of other units.  That gentleman knows what the point would be.  You'd be surprised at what we've accomplished at some incidents. 

I am not sure as to what the benefit of a Dash CF would be to the Stamford Fire Department. The new CF has a very obtuse interior cab configuration and offers absolutely no benefit to the application that the Department is looking for or needs. 
 
The Pierce Enforcer is a very practical chassis and offered us everything we needed and nothing that we did not need.
 
Unlike many of the Departments often represented in apparatus discussions on this site, we operate with a given amount of money for a purchase.
 
What we have to spend, is what we have to spend and not a penny more. 
 
This vehicle incorporated several design components that factored heavily into the final price tag. Getting everything to work for the money we had allocated and available was not an easy task. 
 
The truck should be delivered by the end of this year or early 2018. 
 
 
 
 

Don't see a medic helping fire staffing, in fact it would likely be a greater burden on the company and result in poorer fireground staffing and more logistical down time. I say this as on a comparatively microscopic level, we run medics on both EMS and fire apparatus every shift and there is very little continuity day to day, making other tasks very difficult to schedule and complete. I realize other places do this, but the level of success is harder to measure, as in most cases EMS is used to bolster staffing for fire companies who may not have a comparable workload without it.
 
As for Community Paramedicine: until it's paid for, it too is a burden on the system, adding a service that may reduce long term medical costs to the taxpayers as a whole, but the rub is that it costs more upfront to add staff, vehicles and such, with no direct return. Our City wanted to study that model, but again, with no way to defray the upfront costs, the interest waned very quickly. 

 
YOU'RE finding out now, because experts are telling you.  WE'VE known for some time now, seeing as we work in this system and have been for quite some time.  This flycar thing AINT that new.

As I recall both Ferrara and KME had to specifically build new cab designs to meet the FDNY spec, they weren't already on their line. So it would be possible for another builder to do the same if they thought it was worth the effort. I doubt the majority of the fire service has the same street and station limitations that require the need for the split tilt cab, so you have to really put a lot of stock in your ability to keep an FDNY contract, and hope some other just use the FDNY spec because it must be the best (which I imagine it is...for them). 
 
I know many folks in this forum must have some direct knowledge, but early on there was a lot of grumbling about the KME product, but maybe that would be the same of anything? Unlike many fire departments where the apparatus is the crown jewels of the department, I suspect most FDNY personnel see the apparatus as merely tools that allow them to do the job, thus they set the bar high.   

My Co. has had a KME engine for a little over 2 years.  With 25k miles and almost 4k hours, I can say it's held up well.  I typically believe the builder has less to do with the quality of the apparatus and the Spec is key...However, the Truck in my quarters is a Ferrara, and it's junk.  Assembly and fit/finish is far superior in the KME product.  More care was taken in running wires and assembling compartments.
 
All in all....The KME rig is a good one and the company has been quick to address issues and then taken preventative steps on the rest of the fleet.  We must have about 100 of these engines by now and I haven't heard much grumbling from the shops.

As I recall both Ferrara and KME had to specifically build new cab designs to meet the FDNY spec, they weren't already on their line. So it would be possible for another builder to do the same if they thought it was worth the effort. I doubt the majority of the fire service has the same street and station limitations that require the need for the split tilt cab, so you have to really put a lot of stock in your ability to keep an FDNY contract, and hope some other just use the FDNY spec because it must be the best (which I imagine it is...for them). 
 
I know many folks in this forum must have some direct knowledge, but early on there was a lot of grumbling about the KME product, but maybe that would be the same of anything? Unlike many fire departments where the apparatus is the crown jewels of the department, I suspect most FDNY personnel see the apparatus as merely tools that allow them to do the job, thus they set the bar high.