PCFD ENG58

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Posts posted by PCFD ENG58

  6. Posted

    I wasnt going to bother posting a reply to this because as others have stated, why the hell would you want to ride the back step of a fire rig? However, it is quite interesting and seeing as how i work sanitation and am a member of an FD, figured id throw my 2 cents in lol.

    As some of you have stated, us g-men ride the steps since we are literally getting on and off the truck every couple of feet (at least where i work). The truck is usually traveling at a very low rate of speed as well. If we have a long ride, we may opt to ride in the cab. Believe me, any chance i get to ride in the comfort of the cab, i will do so. If we had to get in and out of the cab for every stop, it would be ridiculous, not to mention double our work day (create overtime).

    Is it a dangerous practice, hell yes! I am not saying that it is safe, just stating why we do what we do. Can accidents happen, absolutely. I have had many close calls and continue to almost every day, but at the hands of clueless motorists.

    Someone mentioned John-Paul Rodrigues of Ossining who died in 05' working sanitation. Back in the late 90's, a g-man from the Town of Cortlandt was killed when the truck accidentally backed over him. Things happen, it sucks, but its life. Can we do things to ensure no other g-man is killed? Maybe, maybe not. Theres all sorts of safety standards for the fire service, but firemen are still continuously getting hurt and killed on the job. Accidents happen.

    On the back of our truck at work, there is a sticker that states "do not ride back step when vehicle is in excess of 10 mph, in reverse or traveling in excess of (however many tenths of a mile)." This was placed on there by the manufacturer of the truck. So as someone said, it is there in plain view so to relieve the manufacturer of some liability.

    On a side note, thank you to those of you have said that we have a tough job lol. It is quite the workout and can be very strenuous. Many people say how it must be nice to only work a few hours a day. I work from 7am-2:30pm, Mon. - Fri., no matter what time i am done with my route. Some municipalities allow their guys to go home once they are finished. For those of you who downplay the job, id tell you to try it one day if you could, i bet it would change some perspectives lol. I can honestly say that i do more physical work in one day than most people do in a week at their jobs. I, like most people, had no idea how tough a job it really is, until i started doing it 4 1/2 years ago! We work no matter what the weather is; hot, cold, rain, snow, whatever. And we work until our job is done, without stopping.

    Sorry for my little rant, just figured id shed some light on the wonderful world of sanitation :rolleyes: .

    As far as fireman riding the backstep goes, i am glad that it is no longer a practice! As stated, firetrucks are usually going at least 20-30mph while en-route to calls. They are going through intersections and braking hard and often. With that being said, how safe do you think it would be to not only ride under those conditions, but to try and gear-up? Read the book "Report from Engine Co. (cant remember the # lol)," by Dennis Smith. He was a fireman in the Bronx in its heyday. In the book, he mentions several guys who were either seriously injured or killed after being thrown off the back step of the rig. As someone else said, guys were also becomming targets for the neighborhood skells who would throw objects at them.

    To sum it up...is riding the back step of a garbage truck safe? No. Is riding the back step of a firetruck safe? No. Are they two completely different creatures? Yes.

    As firemen, be greatful that we dont ride the back steps anymore! Trust me, you're not missing much lol. Instead of worrying about what the garbagemen do, worry about yourselves and be greatful that the fire service has somewhat changed with the times! Always practice safe methods of doing your job, regardless of what it is!

    For those of you who still ride the back step of fire trucks (or on top for that matter) at parades and other events....STOP!!!

    Im done now, i promise. Thank you lol.

    Well said 7 years with PORT CHESTER garbage before going over to F.D. 30,000 lbs a day. If you did a few years on garbage you will NEVER complain about your next job

  14. Posted

    1923 for engine 58 and 1927 for engine 59. Engine 58 had and still to some degree has a large commercal area some of the great manufacturer's like LIFE SAVERS,MARVEL MYSTERY OIL, HOMELITE ARONLDS BREAD, EMPIRE BRUSH WORKS, R B& W BOLT AND NUT FACTORYS ALL BORN IN PORT CHESTER. THE FIRE LOAD LIKE TODAY IS VERY HEAVY! Engine 59 covers the top of PORT CHESTER and all of RYE BROOK long before there was a RYE BROOK. IT was know as RYE TOWN and had a lot of farms and big estates and don't forget the airport back in the day when they only had a small hut for a firehouse and two used fire engines. alot of people still think the airport is in WHITE PLAINS. most of the original buildings are in the PORT CHESTER responce area from the fuel farms to the left , the main terminal and all the large hangers! Engine 58 in the 1970's was the busiest engine in WESTCHESTER COUNTY, just ask some of the older member's. that's when Engine 58 picked up the nick name [MIDNIGHT SPECIAL ] it ran all night along with some of the busiest volunteer companys in the state.