Remember585

Well put HFD23!
I also agree with you, Slayer61, that a FAST / RIT Unit should have minimum equipment, some form of SOPs and proper training. In the past, these items have been discussed on these forums but don't ask me where!
Just building on what the others have asked / replied, what equipment does your FAST carry and what equipment should be minimum?
I'll start... we use an Engine primarily because we have three of them, and because the majority of our trained Team members come from this company.
Some of what we carry:
(1) Stokes
(1) TIC
(1) Quick-Vent Chain Saw
(1) Partner Saw with wood (multi-purpose) blade
(1) Stihl Saw with metal blade (metal and concrete abrasive blades also on rig)
(1) Battery-powered Sawzall
(1) Electric Sawzall
(4) Steel hooks (6' & 8')
(3) Pairs of Irons
(1) 8 Lb. Sledge
(1) Hydra-Ram
(1) Man Down Pack
Several Search Lines & Tie Lines
Several Other hand tools (K-Tool, A-Tools, Closet Hooks)
300' Rope with 3:1 MA setup
Each man has a radio, PPE, SCBA & flashlight(s).
There's a lot more equipment on this rig, but these are the most commonly grabbed tools.
We always perform a 360 of the fire building, and will clear anything blocking egress points. Other tasks we do include throwing ground ladders and performing accountability (as best as we can). One Member is always detailed to the Command Post and monitors Fireground transmissions, and generally we put one team (at least two) in the rear of the building and keep another out front.

Well put HFD23!
I also agree with you, Slayer61, that a FAST / RIT Unit should have minimum equipment, some form of SOPs and proper training. In the past, these items have been discussed on these forums but don't ask me where!
Just building on what the others have asked / replied, what equipment does your FAST carry and what equipment should be minimum?
I'll start... we use an Engine primarily because we have three of them, and because the majority of our trained Team members come from this company.
Some of what we carry:
(1) Stokes
(1) TIC
(1) Quick-Vent Chain Saw
(1) Partner Saw with wood (multi-purpose) blade
(1) Stihl Saw with metal blade (metal and concrete abrasive blades also on rig)
(1) Battery-powered Sawzall
(1) Electric Sawzall
(4) Steel hooks (6' & 8')
(3) Pairs of Irons
(1) 8 Lb. Sledge
(1) Hydra-Ram
(1) Man Down Pack
Several Search Lines & Tie Lines
Several Other hand tools (K-Tool, A-Tools, Closet Hooks)
300' Rope with 3:1 MA setup
Each man has a radio, PPE, SCBA & flashlight(s).
There's a lot more equipment on this rig, but these are the most commonly grabbed tools.
We always perform a 360 of the fire building, and will clear anything blocking egress points. Other tasks we do include throwing ground ladders and performing accountability (as best as we can). One Member is always detailed to the Command Post and monitors Fireground transmissions, and generally we put one team (at least two) in the rear of the building and keep another out front.

I miss the days when new members came in and knew thier place.
I miss the days when officers were leaders...not puppets who cater to the politically correct.
I miss the days when a simple thank you was all that was needed.
I miss the days when me and you could argue about something and it was forgotten about.
I miss the days when you could break someone's ba**s and not worry about hazing charges.
I miss the days when fire commissioners were fire commissioners...not commissioners who want to be everything else.
What I miss most is the brotherhood which is dwindling away...I hope to see it return.

Amen FJP!
I also like those post-call BS sessions. The guys in my house STILL will do a call at 2AM and sit around the firehouse until the Sun comes up.
I like the family feel of the firehouse. You may hate a guy today, but at the next fire or bad call, you might buy each other coffee afterwards!
I like when a paid guy doesn't forget his roots and still vollies.
I miss the days when it was OK to actually take pride in your company or your department, and not be ashamed of what you do.
I miss the days of the inter-company sh!t talking. It was never meant to be vindictive, but it gave you more pride and drove more people to try harder and do better. As FJP said, now everyone is so thin skinned that you almost have to have an attorney next to you, giving you a nod, before you break someones balls.
I miss some of the guys that used to be around but have left us either because of personal reasons or too much BS in the firehouse.
I miss sled riding in the Stokes during snow standbys.
I miss the days when apparatus had personality. Seems that newer rigs lack it.
I miss going to calls and people thanked you. Now they want to know why your apparatus are in front of their house, why we opened a hydrant to make sure it works, why a Chief parks in their driveway when the call is across the street and....
And, most of all, I miss the days of riding in the open jumpseats, standing up ( ), screaming through town and people waved or looked on in admiration. Now they cover their ears and shake their heads in dismay because they don't want to hear us as we respond to someone's emergency.
Thank you public.

Never considered AFFF, always seen the chains used and/or chimney flares.
We treat it is a structure fire, which means a full assignment is dispatched.
Our Truck has the chains, and we keep metal cans to clear out a fireplace on both the Truck & Rescue.
Everyone gets off the rig for any inside smoke, chimney fire, CO call with PPE and SCBA. The Officer (or someone else at their discretion) brings the TIC and Gas Meter in from the Engine Companies.
Active chimney fire, dry line to the roof. Any smoke in the house or sign of extension, a line to the front door. Why not, right?

Barry
I joined my dept way back in 1972, I wasn't promised anything and I expected nothing and I still feel that way. I was against and still am against our losap program and I believe it is one of the worst things we have done. We have people that come around just for thier points, the first thing they look for is the call sheet so they can sign in and then usually disappear, they do the same thing for training sessions as well. I continue to respond, train, attend meetings, etc because I want to not for the losap as I could car eless abot it. I really haven't seen an increase in members since we started this program, we get a few each year and lose a few each year and unfortunately the ones we lose are usuallly good firefighters.
As for the original topic "courtesy lights" My opinio is that no one really understands their purpose including those that use them as well as the general public. How many of you with blue lights have written authorization from your Chief as required by law?
As for asking the question of career Firefighters taking the job if there wee no pension, who in this day & age would take a job that offers no pension?

Date: 1/1/10
Time: 05:15
Location: Route 100 south of Crow Hill Road
Frequency: 46.26 / Fire 17
Units Operating: 2531, 2533, E270, E273, R16 / YVAC 86B2 & 34M1 / YPD
Weather Conditions: Cold
Description Of Incident: Single vehicle rollover with entrapment.
Reporters: Remember585, Onlocation
Writer: Remember585
One patient extricated, taken ALS to WMC.

Not knowing anything about Dutchess County, but speaking of our own neighborhood...
Just a couple of thoughts running through my head.
1. You should have the courtesy to send at least what you would expect when making the request yourself.
2. Relocates should be treated like a scene response, because you could very well end up going to the scene.
3. On a COUNTY LEVEL, we should all be sending the same minimum crew, whatever we all decide upon.
4. Don't abuse the system. I know some places lack personnel to handle "simple" incidents, and call upon Mutual Aid to cover them while they handle something "simple," which (for paid and volunteer guys) can become a nuisance.
5. If you can't provide a minimum crew of capable, QUALIFIED personnel, MAN UP and state you can't handle it. It's more respectable not to send a crappy crew then it is to response / relocate with one.
A while ago, the Chiefs in our Battalion met and had a discussion as to what the minimum personnel expectation should be per apparatus. We have lived up to our end of the "suggested policy," and when we call for assistance we would expect the same. (Luckily we've had it)
Every call we go to, whether in our own neighborhoods or on Mutual Aid, is a reflection on the organization as a whole. Sending a lack of personnel or a group of unqualified personnel makes you look like a group of unconcerned, "living in fantasyland" misfits. If you relocate with a sub-par crew and you're dispatched to another emergency that you can't handle...who loses?
Not to mention it could trigger a heated EMTBravo discussion, as we've seen before...

Not knowing anything about Dutchess County, but speaking of our own neighborhood...
Just a couple of thoughts running through my head.
1. You should have the courtesy to send at least what you would expect when making the request yourself.
2. Relocates should be treated like a scene response, because you could very well end up going to the scene.
3. On a COUNTY LEVEL, we should all be sending the same minimum crew, whatever we all decide upon.
4. Don't abuse the system. I know some places lack personnel to handle "simple" incidents, and call upon Mutual Aid to cover them while they handle something "simple," which (for paid and volunteer guys) can become a nuisance.
5. If you can't provide a minimum crew of capable, QUALIFIED personnel, MAN UP and state you can't handle it. It's more respectable not to send a crappy crew then it is to response / relocate with one.
A while ago, the Chiefs in our Battalion met and had a discussion as to what the minimum personnel expectation should be per apparatus. We have lived up to our end of the "suggested policy," and when we call for assistance we would expect the same. (Luckily we've had it)
Every call we go to, whether in our own neighborhoods or on Mutual Aid, is a reflection on the organization as a whole. Sending a lack of personnel or a group of unqualified personnel makes you look like a group of unconcerned, "living in fantasyland" misfits. If you relocate with a sub-par crew and you're dispatched to another emergency that you can't handle...who loses?
Not to mention it could trigger a heated EMTBravo discussion, as we've seen before...

Date: 12/25/09
Time: 10:22
Location: 1 Russell Road cross of Morris Road in North Salem
Frequencies: 46.26 / Fire 13
Croton Falls Units Operating: 2071, 2074, E147, E148, E149, T8, R28, MA16
Goldens Bridge Units Operating: 2141, 2143, E138, E140, T1, R24
Somers Units Operating: 2441, T16
North Salem VAC Units: 72B2. 72B1
WCDES: Battalion 16, C&O Zone 5 (1405)
Weather Conditions: Cold
Description Of Incident: Working Fire
Reporters: Remember585
Writer: Remember585
10:22 - Croton Falls dispatched for Structure Fire
10:26 - E148 & T8 responding.
10:27 - Goldens Bridge "Full Department Response," and North Salem VAC to scene.
10:28 - E149, MA16 responding.
10:32 - 2074 reporting a working basement fire, Somers Tanker to scene.
10:33 - Somers T16 to scene.
10:38 - 2071 reports Drafting site at Valeria Circle. E140 to handle.
10:42 - Katonah Engine to Goldens Bridge HQ. (2212, E117)
10:43 - E140 has water source established.
10:44 - 2071 requesting C&O Team to scene. C&O Zone 5 dispatched.
10:46 - Battalion 16 inquiring what EMS is responding, 60 Control advises both NSVAC units are on scene, Bat-16 releasing one Ambulance.
10:47 - Putnam paging out Brewster to relocate an Engine to Croton Falls HQ.
10:53 - 60 Control advising Brewster Engine is relocating. (11-2-5)
10:59 - 2071 reports fire is knocked down, checking for extension. T16 on location.

We've equipped all three of our Engine Companies with a TIC. The Officer is to take the TIC inside for all calls, even if it isn't needed, to make it a habit.
We were denied the TIC for our Truck this year, hopefully we can get it next year.
One thing worth reminding others of is the value of a 360 recon. You may not see anything to inidicate a basement fire from the front, but side or rear windows to the basement could tell you more of what's going on. Look for windows, Bilco doors and you can even take a quick peak for dryer vents to see if smoke is coming from them.
Firehouse.com story

We've equipped all three of our Engine Companies with a TIC. The Officer is to take the TIC inside for all calls, even if it isn't needed, to make it a habit.
We were denied the TIC for our Truck this year, hopefully we can get it next year.
One thing worth reminding others of is the value of a 360 recon. You may not see anything to inidicate a basement fire from the front, but side or rear windows to the basement could tell you more of what's going on. Look for windows, Bilco doors and you can even take a quick peak for dryer vents to see if smoke is coming from them.
Firehouse.com story

Most of the fire was K/D when I got there, and the fire that was showing was hidden behind the smoke so the pictures didn't come out so good.