Stench60

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Posts posted by Stench60


  1. I've been told that this is legitimate, the Museum did not want the items.

    As a long time member of the fire service and a long time fire antique collector it just breaks my heart to see this taking place.

    As a long time active member of FASNY, I can't begin to describe my anger at hearing of their refusal to take this important part of fire service history and at least place it in storage for future generations, especially in light of the fact that they constantly ask companies to keep the Museum in mind for a repository of their historical items.


  2. Someone needs to determine whether these items are legitimately being offered for sale or if there is is somebody off the reservation looking to make some money. According to a contact these may be items that were placed in the Mt. Vernon Public Library on loan for the preservation of the history of the Mt. Vernon FD and it's members.

    It's a shame that the Firemans' Home was not considered as a suitable repository for these items, especially the minute books, the sound shore/ southern westchester is very sparingly represented.


  3. Like all of you I'm dissapointed that the sight is being changed, but as Seth says in his initial post, he's shutting it down in it's current format. There is nothing to say that in time some form may come back.

    But, when you get down to brass tacks, it is Seth's to do with as he pleases and if it his pleasure to reconfigure things, well then, so be it.

    Seth..... Good Luck with your troubles, remember as the prayer says, this too shall pass.


  4. This is from the ISO website ( I'll take the spanking if I'm remiss in posting this copy)

    " Fire alarms

    Ten percent of the overall grading is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources. Our field representatives evaluate the communications center, looking at the number of operators at the center; the telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center; and the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book. Field representatives also look at the dispatch circuits and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency."

    The major blackouts we had were only one example of the need for a secondary means of informing the members of an alarm, remember in this day and age it only takes one knucklehead to cut a single pair of telephone lines and you could well end up losing your "modern" communication abilities. In this day and age of "being prepared for everything" it can't hurt to have a horn or whistle as a backup.

    Hudson ............. 8am whistle..... time to leave for school


  5. I don't know about the NFPA, but it is part of your ISO rating. If I recall correctly this has to be an immediate and uninterruptible means of alert, the text messaging that many claim as secondary means of dispatch doesn't qualify as it takes minutes at best and occasionally a day or two for messages to be received.


  6. I'm beginning to wonder what's more frightening, recognising the store fronts from when I was a kid, remembering the rigs ( one of which I was a driver on ) or seeing some faces I recognise.

    Ang, is that Pop Chute driving the Patrol? I recognise Matty Twardy and Mr. Pitocco ( even after I joined and was introduced to "Pete" , I still called him Mr. Pitocco; I couldn't break an old habit ) in front of Brooksville and that's one of the Bohrer brothers in the front of Put's rig waving.

    And for somebody from Mt. Kisco, is that Peter or Paul Hughes driving the Independent?

    As for the price of gas, well I remember the old man pulling up and asking for $5 worth and getting well over 3/4 a tank of regular ( meaning it had lead).


  7. Great Photo of a miserable night.

    Seriously, while it was a cold night and we were stuck for what seemed like forever ( not as long as Whte Plains's Ladder though) and froze our #%&@'s off in retrospect it's great to see. This picture stirs up some great memories of names and faces that probably took in the Garr's Fire as their last big one before fading from active firefighting, it brings a smile to the face and a tear to the eye.

    The funny thing is I just today copied two photographs of a multi-alarm fire in the same buildings circa 1950 to be put up in the firehouse.

    Thanks Ang........

    Ps. John, I still call it Eastport..........


  8. This is another case of losing what at one time was a basic and necessary skill for not only your pump operator but your engine company as a whole ( and please, I do realise that in many departments that drafting and relaying are still common practice and this is not directed at you). As has been touched on in a previous post any community from the largest city to a small hamlet that normally works with a hydrant system may be thrown into a situation where either, or both, of these procedures may have to be accomplished whether it be a water main break, low pressure situation or a mutual aid call.

    These are evolutions that can be easily incorporated into your regular drivers training/ drill routines possibly with the exception of those communities whose only drafting sources are salt water ( a nightmare of its' own). The best part is that with the new draft pond at the training center, doing engine co. training at the burn house or drill tower can now accomplish two different evolutions if you feel up to it.

    It all gets back to knowing the basics, if you know those everything else will be a piece of cake.


  9. Also in Port Chester,

    110 Willett Ave. between N. Main St. and Marvin Pl., this was the home of Reliance Eng. & Hose Co., No. 1 ( Engine 60) and Harry Howard Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1 ( Ladder 31 & Tower 2) from Jan. 1866 to fall 1907. It also housed the fire alarm system. From 1907 until 2006 it had served as the village rooms and later the building department.

    It was sold this spring to a private owner who has gutted it and will be using it for commercial space.


  10. In all my dealings professionally with the issue, the one subject that has come up and been stated repeatedly is the fact that no building is ultimately exempt from ADA requirements with the exception of private dwellings. Public facilities, whether they be firehouses, DPW garages or city hall are all subject to compliance regardless of their possible usage by disabled people (see the Braille requirement at the drive up teller).

    If a permit is pulled, and the work is a greater than xx%, ADA compliance must be confirmed for the CO. Where municipalities skirt the issue is by claiming that the work is planned for the future or by keeping the work under xx% of the building. However at some point the work must be done.

    The only time I have seen any leeway on this is in a landmark issue when it would alter the fundamental character of the structure (a handicap ramp up the front stairs to the Lincoln Memorial for example).


  11. GARRISON, JOHN H.

    June 14, 2006

    John H. Garrison, a lifelong resident of Tarrytown, died June 12, 2006 at the age of 70. John was born in Tarrytown February 29, 1936 to Raymond and Florence Galassi Garrison. He graduated from Washington Irving High School and served in the Army Air Force in Korea. John was a deliveryman for Diamond Dairy from 1967 to 2003. John also spent nearly 64 years of his life associated with the Tarrytowns Young Men's Christian Association. He started out as a youth member and progressed through the ranks serving seven General Directors and CEOs. John held many positions during those years - Assistant Youth Director, Day Camp Counselor, Assistant Day Camp Director, Financial and Business Manager. He is most remembered for his work in the Aquatic Program, having taught swimming lessons for more than 50 years. His dedication to the youth of these communities has been the trademark of his life. For the past 16 years, John has volunteered his time as Swimming Instructor. He will be sorely missed by those whose lives he has touched. John was also very active in Volunteer Fire Services. He was a life active member of Washington Engine Co. #2 where he held numerous offices including Captain and Financial Secretary and he served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was also Co-Chairman for Washington Engine's 2005 Tower Ladder Truck Committee. He served as the Chief of the Tarrytown Fire Department in 1991. John was an Honorary Member of Riverside Hose Co. #4, Tarrytown; Associate Member of Briarcliff Hook and Ladder and Associate Member of Ossining Fire Patrol Co. He was a member of Tarrytown Fire Chiefs Association and the Tarrytown Fire Education Center, serving as its Treasurer. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Chiefs Association, serving as a Director. He belonged to Westchester County Volunteer Fireman's Association where he was a life member and Director. He served as a Director of the Westchester County Fire Chiefs Association and was a member of the Westchester County Parade Judges Association. John was also a member of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association, the Firemen's Association State of New York and was a life member of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. John also belonged to the Tarrytown Seniors. John is survived by his aunts Catherine, Nancy and Lucinda Galassi as well as many Galassi and Garrison cousins. He is also survived by his godsons William H. Logan, II, Bryan Carson and Bruce Carson. Visitation will be at COFFEY FUNERAL HOME on Wednesday (today) from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. His Funeral Mass will be Thursday at Transfiguration Church at 11:00 with Interment to follow in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fireman's Home, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY 12534 or Phelps Memorial Hospital, 701 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 would be appreciated. COFFEY FUNERAL HOME 91 N. Broadway Tarrytown (914) 631-0983 www.coffeyfuneralhome.c om