Fireman488

Preference of the company. I've seen silver/diamond plate..black with white outlines, etc.

Thanks!!

Great shots Jimmy!!

One question: Do the gold numbers on the FDNY rigs signify 100 years of service or is it just a preference of the individual company?

Thanks,

Syd

I also operated a Pierce Tower Ladder during Truck ops and it is solid like a rock. Elmsford has a 1993 Pierce Arrow Tower Ladder and were nice enough to bring it to the FTC. Pierce has the most stable TL that I have ever been in.

Elmsford Tower Ladder 21 has a steel ladder, that's why it feels so stable.

If this is a problem, have you suggested using plain English on the radio to your superiors? The defunct definition of "10-20" in Westchester County is "respond with caution." If you want operators who are no longer trained to use ten-codes to advise your units to "respond non-emergency," perhaps you should tell them exactly that.

In my experience with 60 Control, using the words, "working fire" or "10-75" will prompt the operator to upgrade the incident to the predetermined first alarm assignment, if one exists, in the CAD. It seems as simple as using a couple of magic words after the initial size up.

Agreed. We train our officers, when slowing companies down, to use: "Respond non-emergency;" and when calling 60 Control for mutual aid: "Dispatch our Working Fire Assignment." We do not use any 10-codes.

Ah, yes, the salute; another tradition that has almost gone by the wayside. It is a sign of respect given between professionals in the military and paramilitary organizations. Thanks for the salute, Lieu and I return the salute.

Did you know that long before ICS came to be the command protocal, a transfer of incident command occurred between the "Fireground Commander" and an arriving superior officer? After the "Watcha got/What are you doin" conversation, a salute indicated the exact point that command was transferred.

I am putting my helmet on now, so I don't get hurt by the salvos that may be fired at me by the "Saluting is a stupid tradition" supporters.

I just hope that the 5,000 or more attendees at Firefighters funerals really mean that salute and are not just going through the motions.

I agree with you Chief.

Saluting used to be common on the police job also. A police officer on a foot post was expected to the salute the sergeant when he arrived to sign the officer's memo book.

Of course you need to be wearing a hat to salute properly. Most POs don't wear hats anymore.

I guess I'm really dating myself.

'Out of Air' Training Video on Air Management Features Bobby Halton, John Norman, Alan Brunacini, and John Mittendorf

A new free fire training video available online from the Fire Smoke Coalition discusses the dangers smoke poses to firefighters and features several well-known fire chiefs discussing their experiences with smoke and air management.

To access this article, go to:

http://www.fireengineering.com/fireengineering/en-us/index/articles/generic-article-tools-template.articles.fire-engineering.training-tips.2011.05.out-of-air.html

We add 8 ounces of Class A foam to our cans. More bang for the buck!!!

I know some departments use "code 1,2,3 etc" to let the cheifs know how many people are on the rigs. I believe Elmsford and Pleasantville both do this.

For example: Eng 237 responding code 5 and that will let the other responding units know how many people are on the rig.

Someone can correct me if Im wrong.

You're correct about Elmsford FD. We give a code status to advise how many firefighters total (including officer, chauffeur, firefighters) are on the rig.

We are very familiar with and use NIMs/plain langauge; code status is strictly for our use and not any other agency.

I like the idea of a duty crew; I'm actually suprised more departments aren't considering it. I believe - and someone correct me if I am wrong but - Elmsford was using a system like this at one point. Perhaps a member from EFD could weigh in. I don't think you have to stay at the fire house, but within reasonable responding distance. You make the commitment to respond on this day during these hours. That wouldn't be to say that other responders from that department could go to a call as well; just that these particular 4 - 6 members would be responsible for handling the calls on that particular day during those particular hours. If you had enough members who could participate, you'd rotate the crew to prevent burnout.

Also - maybe I'm a dreamer, but I do believe that there is something to be said about continuing recruiting efforts. I feel that every time there is a major event in the community, sidewalk sale, car show, antique show, country fair the fire department should make an effort to be there with a fire truck to increase visibility and a dialog with the community. Departments with staffing troubles during the day need to look harder at neighbors and friends within the community who work from home or in the community and try to urge them to join.

I also don't want to suggest that either if these ideas is going to work for every and any department, but I do think they are creative ideas that can help with a solutions. MTC.

Chris,

You are correct, we do have a crew system, but it is utilized at night between the hours of 11 PM to 6 AM.

It is a system that works very well for us, as we average approximately 1,200 runs per year (600+ Fire & 500+ EMS).

Fire crews (Officer, chauffeur and four firefighters) are on duty for a week at a time. Crew members do not stay in the firehouse, but are responsible for responding on all fire runs during crew hours. They are also responsible for checking the rigs and all equipment on Sunday or Monday of crew week.

Non-crew members may respond as well.

Working fires or serious incidents are a general response.

EMS crews (Officer/EMT, driver, 2 additional EMTs) are nightly, with a different crew on duty every night. Crew members do not stay in the firehouse, but are responsible for responding on all EMS runs during crew hours. They are also responsible for checking the rigs and all equipment on Sunday or Monday on a rotating basis.

Daytime response isn't an issue due to a good response from a variety of members who are Village employees, shift workers, college students, young retirees or those who work in the Village and can leave their jobs.

Stay safe,

Syd Henry

Elmsford FD

My condolences to Dan and the family.

Pretzel was always a student and faculty favorite at the annual Immaculate Heart of Mary School Health Fair until her retirement.

Rest in peace, Pretzel. Thank you for your service to the community!!!

My condolences to Dan and his family.

Pretzel was a student/faculty favorite at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School Health Fair every year until her retirement.

RIP Pretzel. Thank you for your service!!!

Just curious what you frustrations with the Minitor series was?

My complaints of the Minitor are size, inability to change the programing/difficulty reprograming, frequency of breakage and cutting in and out during transmissions (although that may be a tower/geography issue).

Although a large plus is the ubiquity of programmers and technicians.

We couldn't keep them in service. They were always in the radio shop being repaired. A few years ago Motorola even took out a full page ad in Firehouse Magazine or Fire Engineering or both, I don't recall, apologizing for the problems with the Minitor V.

Possibly those problems have been rectified, but we are very pleased with the Swissphone and will not return to Motorola.

Robert,

A few years ago, I met Sam Wolfe at the Fire Expo in Baltimore. I told him of our frustrations with the Motorola Minitor V. He guaranteed that we would be very pleased with the Swissphone.

He shipped a programed demo for us to try and the rest is history. We use them exclusively and are very satisfied with them. We still have a few Minitor V's that we use as spares.

The Swissphone is much smaller and much more reliable, with very few problems. Programming equipment is also available to purchase; another feature that we like.

The only downside, which may have been addressed, is that they are not available in low band, only VHF and UHF.

I highly recommend this pager and Sam Wolfe, a former volunteer Fire Chief, who is very customer friendly and provides excellent service.

Sam's contact information is listed below.

If you need further information, P/M with your phone number.

Syd Henry

Elmsford Fire Dept.

Sam Wolfe

President

Wolfe Communications

877-347-3747 toll free

214-789-5686 mobile

877-366-7599 fax

sales@wolfecomm.com

www.wolfecomm.com

FF1,

The older leather helmets, without the ratchet adjustment, which are no longer approved, conformed to the head and were very comfortable.

When I retired that version of the leather, I switched to our current department issue: The Morning Pride Ben II Plus.

It is an affordable and very comfortable helmet.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe!!

In our department, former chiefs are eligible to be appointed by the current Chief for a one year term as a Deputy Chief, which must be renewed annually.

Our Deputy Chiefs mostly serve in a support role: training, administrative duties, command board assistance, mentoring of younger officers, etc.

They continue to take classes on a regular basis.

They do not have white helmets or white coats. They do not have red lights or sirens in their POVs.

They do have white frontpieces on black helmets, indicating their designation.

They do have radio designations (2110-1, 2110-2, etc), which they use when in command only. Our department always uses Incident Command terminology, which mostly negates the need for personal numbers.

They respond on the apparatus as regular firefighters and only take command in the absence of any officer: chief, captain, lieutenant.

They are also available to give advice, when requested.

Personally, Deputy Chiefs were most helpful to me during my term of office.

I have been on both sides of this issue.

It boils down to cooperation, working together and using common sense.

Tall orders for some!!!

The area is supposed to be hit with another storm this coming saturday. Does anyone know if the seminar will be cancelled or bumped to Sunday if conditions are too bad?

The Seminar will be held, as scheduled, regardless of weather.

Only about three weeks to go before our annual seminar.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR REGISTRATIONS NOW!!!

The 10th Annual

Lt. Andy Fredericks, FDNY

Memorial Seminar & Exhibits

Hosted by the Elmsford Fire Department

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Registration, refreshments & exhibits begin at 7:30 AM

Program: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

“Holy Smoke: Fires in Churches & Houses of Worship”

Presented by

Deputy Chief James Smith

Philadelphia Fire Dept, Retired

Proceeds donated to

Lt. Andrew Fredericks Scholarship Fund

Burn Care Everywhere www.burncare.org

Firemen’s Home, Hudson, N.Y. www.fasny.com

Pre-registration: $35 At the door: $40

www.regonline.com/seminar11

Westchester Marriott Hotel

670 White Plains Road (Route 119), Tarrytown, N.Y.

For overnight accommodations, please call Marriott Hotel reservations @ (800) 882-1042

and ask for the Elmsford Fire Department seminar rate.

For additional information, please contact:

Syd Henry at shenry@elmsfordfd.com or (914) 490-1981

Joe Dorio at jdorio@elmsfordfd.com or (914) 536-2235

Website: www.elmsfordfd.com/seminar.php

Does your department use foam sytems on your rigs?

What are the pros & cons using foam system on rigs?

Note: This is strictly our experience with Class A foam!!!

In July 2007, our department converted all of its onboard foam systems from Class B foam to Class A foam; and issued a Department SOP that Class A foam hoselines will be the first hoselines stretched at most fires, unless otherwise directed by an officer.

Engine Company preconnected foam hoselines are 2 inch, pumped at 200 PSI, with Class A foam at 0.5 percent, and equipped with automatic gallonage combination nozzles.

Class B foam is still carried on our apparatus in 5 gallon containers for use with portable eductors.

This conversion was done for the following reasons:

All of our onboard foam systems were equipped with Class B foam, which was rarely used and regularly caused system maintenance problems.

A neighboring department reported remarkable success with Class A foam on vehicle and structure fires.

The added expense was not an issue, because of the very small percentages (0.5 to 1.0 percent) needed to be effective.

The department did extensive research, testing, and training to validate its implementation.

Since the above mentioned conversion, the following positive results have been observed:

The use of Class A foam at 0.5 percent on vehicle, dumpster, brush and structure fires has proven to be very effective. These fires are extinguished much more quickly, due to the foam’s penetrating and cooling properties; using much less water, with no resulting rekindles.

Quicker knockdowns with no rekindles greatly reduce firefighter stress and improve firefighter safety. Recently, we were confronted with heavy fire conditions at two structure fires and Class A foam proved most impressive. At both fires, the first hoseline stretched (2 inch Class A foam) and placed into operation darkened the fires down before the pump operator switched from tank to hydrant water.

There have been no maintenance problems since the above-mentioned conversion.

Our 2 ½ gallon pressurized water extinguishers have been supplemented with 8 ounces of Class A foam.

Class A foam at 1.0 percent has been found to be most effective for exposure protection.

Conclusion: Our current apparatus are only equipped with one foam system discharge. Future rigs will be designed with multiple foam system discharges.

From our experience there are no downsides to using Class A foam, in most situations, including the often cited criticism is that it is too expensive. At 0.5 percent, the foam is not used in great quantities: “We are only ‘topping off’ our foam tanks after every three or four uses.”

The benefits of increased firefighter safety and increased fire suppression efficiency far outweigh the costs of approximately $65 per 5 gallon container.

To: The Officers and Members of Washington Engine Company

Congratulations on a job well done with your first seminar.

Chief Montagna is always very interesting, providing a wealth of information to everyone in attendance.

Thanks for a great day!!!

Syd Henry

Elmsford FD

Just curious - what's the rationale for using a tower ladder at the same elevation as a ground ladder (see pictures, it looks to be nearly fully extended but at zero angle).

Fairly common tactic.

Many times you will see tower ladder buckets at sidewalk level, especially at taxpayer fires, when master streams are needed. Many GPMs (gallons per minute) coupled with easy/safe operation.

My condolences to the members and families of the Tarrytown Fire Department and DPW.

I knew both Anthony and John; both were true gentlemen, who will be sorely missed.

May they rest in peace.

"Responding to 'Routine' Emergencies" by FDNY Battalion Chief Frank Montagna is an excellent read and a great book to have in your library!!!

http://www.chiefmontagna.com

I'm just curious why all Towns Villages and Cities aren't on the Westchester County Motorola Trunked system? I don't mean local police, but why wouldn't all FD be on there? As an example, I know Mamaroneck Town uses it, but Mamaroneck Village does not. Thoughts?

Our department (not dispatched by 60-Control) uses the Trunk radio for mutual aid, dual responses with other departments and other responses where contact with 60-Control is necessary.

Otherwise we use our VHF Village frequency (paging and operations), which has served us well for years.

We also use County UHF fireground portables when operating with other departments or in buildings where VHF isn't effective.

On mutual aid, our officers carry both VHF and UHF portables, which gives us a "private VHF channel" to communicate with each other, while not interfering with other fireground traffic. The best of both worlds.