AndyC3J

A number of CFs from the metro area seem to have made their way to the Lone Star State. Not a bad thing.....much better than making their way to the scrapper.

Is that Oceanic's old rig?

Salisbury Mills (Orange) has taken delivery of a 2006 Pierce Enforcer rear mount rescue pumper, which will replace a 1989 GMC/E-One that operated out of the Mountain Lodge station.

Construction has begun on a new pumper-tanker for Sparrowbush. "Custom Fab" body (not familiar with them) on a black over lime Spartan Gladiator chassis.

I think they did that once (utilized the Coliseum floor) the year the NHL was on strike. I, too, wish they would again.

Yeah, the rigs and ambulances on display are pretty much the only thing that changes. Still a nice way to kill a few hours and cure the winter cabin fever blues if you so desire.

Maybrook took delivery of the new Engine 218 yesterday. Bullville's twin KME pumpers are well underway and are expected in a few weeks, according to one source.

No further updates yet on Pine Bush or anyone else "local".

A lot of people have been banned from here, or left on their own, for whatever reasons. That's part of it.

Message boards in general are "old hat" nowadays, with many people choosing Facebook or other forms of social media to share their thoughts, opinions and photos. I am a member of numerous boards, covering various topics, and very few of them are as active as they used to be.

Yes, but for those of us in the north and west suburbs, the Izod Center was the closest, easiest and cheapest of the metro area's arenas to get to, at least for those who prefer to drive themselves and not be held captive by a train schedule or some such thing.

It was also the biggest of the five buildings. I don't care about luxury boxes and all the modern amenities that the newer places are loaded with. I have heard talk that the Nassau Coliseum will be renovated at some point, even though it's losing the Islanders next year. At least people on the Island still have a place like that to go to.

How so?

Ferrara calls most (if not all) of the engines they build "custom rescue pumper".

Monroe is delivered already? Just posted a pic from final inspection on Smeal's Facebook a few days ago. A comment in reply to it suggests the new 538 is going to be a Smeal mid-mount.

Congrats, and best of luck in whatever the future may hold.

Never heard of a Ferrara going back to be re-painted. KME, however, is notorious for it.

Spartan ERV has had a number of delays, or long wait periods before construction starts, as well recently.

Yeah. I wasn't sure if it was actual Metz equipment re-badged with Rosenbauer's name, or just a very similar design.

No sooner do I mention the lack of legal notices than one turns up. Greenville (Orange) seeking to purchase a used Pierce Lance pumper with 1200 gallon tank. I believe this will replace the KME heavy rescue that was the source of some issues earlier.

Also, New Hampton (Orange) should take delivery before the end of the year of a Spartan/Rosenbauer quint with 102' rear mount platform. Called a Rosenbauer Raptor.....has a Metz look to it.

A lot of inconsistencies in the article, and then the comments open up a bunch of info that was not presented in the article.

Two fire houses within a quarter mile of each other? Hmmmm!

All three of Goshen's stations used to be within walking distance of each other until the Dikemans built their current house outside the village.

Have not seen any apparatus related legal notices recently, but have heard some sketchy info. Pine Bush (Orange Co.) may be getting a Rosenbauer pumper. Source I spoke with said he thinks that's who they went with. "Whatever it is that Garrison sells nowadays". No word on how far along it is.

Bullville (Orange) said to have two KME rescue pumpers on order which will replace both current engines and the rescue.

So, which fire apparatus manufacturer doesn't claim to be the best? Pretty sure most, if not all, of them have made similar claims at one point or another. I don't think I've seen an example of any particular one that was universally liked. The phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure" seems to be a good way to describe it. Ferrara, Seagrave, Pierce, KME.....they all have those who love them, and those who wouldn't have one if it was offered for free. And, they all think they're the tops at their game.

That pic was from KME's website and/or Facebook page.

I know a few departments in Orange County NY that have E-ONE'S and they have never had any issues with them. I know our neighboring department has a 100ft ariel ladder and a rescue pumper and have not one issue. Remember it is not always the manufacturer that is the issue it is the parts that are put into them IE: motor, pump etc. They are not E-ONE products just the chassis and body.

I have spoken with a member of the department in question a couple of times this year, and he says they are very happy with the E-Ones. Described them as being "great trucks". Same individual could not say the same about their two relatively new Ferraras.

Department in a neighboring county with a new E-One pumper-tanker has been having issues with it (no details), but did not seem to be outright unhappy from what I gathered. As was said, it depends on how the truck is spec'ed and the quality of the components involved as well. I've heard the jokes (E-Junk) about this company just as many times as the joke about what KME stands for, but can find just as many people who sing the praises of each company as well.

Curious about something. Looking at the construction pics of Ossining's sharp looking new Spartan ERV pumper. There is a large "notch" in the top of the cab, the kind usually created to accommodate a rear mount ladder when the cab is raised roof. Is this going to be a quint of some sort? Body appears to be the normal size/style for a regular pumper, which makes me think not. And, light towers usually lay side to side, rather than front to back. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks in advance.

Here's a link to the pics on Spartan ERV's website: http://www.spartanerv.com/delivery.aspx?id=55534

Fishkill (Dutchess) has placed into service an 85-foot Smeal mid-mount platform on a Spartan chassis.

Seagraves for Somers and Rifton (Ulster) are complete.

Ossining's Spartan ERV pumper has started production.

I'm definitely not a fan of people riding atop the rig, whether it be in a parade, or approaching a wetdown. Definitely a tragedy waiting to happen. Nor am I a fan of "aggressive" water fights. Done right, they are enjoyable events.

Some people I know would be less likely to go if there's no water. Doesn't bother me. I don't go to get wet, I go to photograph the apparatus, enjoy myself, and maybe pick up a T-shirt if I like it. I would not object if there was a simple ceremony/christening, as was mentioned above. That's how some Long Island departments do it, followed by wetting it down all at once, then go inside for food. For whatever reason, most of the events down there aren't "advertised" the way they are in other areas. I am glad to have been able to attend some of those that I did hear about.

These events have been the cause of many, many injuries which is why many places have gone to dry downs which I believe are a party celebrating the apparatus without the water fight. I recently sat and witnessed one while fire police closed a portion of a federally funded highway (I highly doubt they had a permit) and the week before witnessed numerous units responding to another one in a commercial area and was unable to convince my daughter that it really wasn't an emergency. I know a chief that did everything possible to make an event safe and still ended up with injuries and he and the former fire coordinator of Orange implored departments to stop the practice but it fell on deaf ears. It's only a matter of time before an apparatus lurches forward and runs someone over at one of these events.

I like the idea of the blessing and I'll probably do that when I get my next rig. Hopefully the atheists don't get me in trouble.

It does seem to be a dying tradition in many areas, including here in Orange. Quite a few new rigs have been placed in service over the past few years without any kind of ceremony or party at all....or if there was one, it wasn't advertised much. Whether it be fear of injury, damage, taxpayer backlash, etc. Who knows? It's far from the "given" that it once was.