Remember585

One good thing about the greenish / yellow rigs of yorktown, at a dark, stormy, smoky fire scene, you'll see them clearly and know who it is!

Quint - the way to go. Lake Mohegan has got the right idea, put a quint in every station. They don't need to be massive rigs, but something versatile enough that can function as an aerial AND / OR an engine. We are operating our 1st quint and still getting used to it - but it will be an asset in the long run (I think).

Tower Ladder 44 of Croton has a pretty sweet ladder sign. It has Gold Leaf writing and a full color / gold leaf logo on it that looks great. I also like Ladder 41 Ossining - Simple and to the point.

What makes a good rescue isn't the "toys" or "goodies." Its the men and women who take on the varying tasks incorporated with a Rescue Company. Personally, I feel that a good rescue should be equipped with sufficient hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools, hi-pressure and low-pressure airbags of different sizes, hazmat containment gear, water and ice rescue equip., rope rescue gear, rehab and ems equip., and enough lighting to make any scene look like daylight. The thing that aggrivates me the most is when a Heavy Rescue, which including its equipment can be worth over $800G, is assigned to traffic duty. What a disgrace. For one tenth the price, a van or lightweight rescue vehicle could do the job. Of course, Village Boards and Fire Commisioners don't always see it that way. And, Seth, no rescue is better then a rescue that rescues.....

Something to keep in mind, the power draw of the mechanical sirens is massive. Older rigs (such as my engine) have had issues with them. Some solutions are to eliminate these, or to reduce other loads. We had the halogen power-sucking Federal aero-dynic lightbars replaced with Whelen Strobe bars. The result: More light, less draw, which in turn has allowed us to keep our faithful siren. We also have a Federal PA300 (A personal favorite) but, since we don't have the speaked in the bar anymore (Thank GOD!) it is mounted under the cab. This siren basically comes up through the floor and drives us nuts! So we rarely us it, and rely on the Q.

The Croton FD has installed a crossband link to its low-band radio. This UHF will link to whatever frequency our base is set on (IE if we put our ops and base on 46.14, the link will be to 46.14). This frequency is 453.025. Area Chiefs - contact me for additional info if you would like.

Since its inception in June of 1998, the Croton FAST has been using Engine 119, a 1984 Mack pumper. The CFDFAST is made up of 21 members, all with the exception of 4 whom belong to Engine 119. (The other four are split, 2 from E118 and 2 from E120.) E119 carries a stokes, rabbit-tool, vent-saw, cordless sawzall, 4 sets irons, hooks, and other vital tools. When dispatched, the TIC from R18 also is brought along, usually by a Chief or Rescue Officer. Additional personnel respond with the Chief(s) responding, or in POV if absolutely neccessary. As of this writing, the CFDFAST has responded mutual aid 14 times this year. E118 is our secondary unit, outfitted the same as E119. If needed, TL44 and/or R18 will be deployed.